Fishing spots from Burleigh to Point Danger
11 places to fish on the coast from Burleigh to Point Danger: 7 you can fish from land and 4 public boat ramps. Each has the winds it is sheltered from, its tide place and what is in season in October.
Updated
Species seasons here follow our Gold Coast guide, which covers Gold Coast Broadwater, Seaway, Nerang/Coomera rivers, Tallebudgera/Currumbin creeks, beaches and headlands to Point Danger (QLD side only). Positions are a guide only, not for navigation.
See this week's fishing forecast for Burleigh: the app rates each day for shore, small-boat and kayak fishing, with the best time of day, wind, tide and what to target.
Spots at a glance
| Spot | Type | Access | Sheltered in | Zone | Tide place |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Main Beach | Beach · surf beach | Land-based | SW, W, NW | Not in a marine park | Gold Coast open coast |
| 2. Burleigh Head | Shore · ocean rocks | Land-based | S, SW, W | Not in a marine park | Gold Coast open coast |
| 3. Tallebudgera Creek training wall | Shore · ocean rocks | Land-based | SW, W, NW | Not in a marine park | Tallebudgera and Currumbin creeks |
| 4. Currumbin Creek mouth (Currumbin Rock) | Shore · surf | Land-based | SE, S, SW | Not in a marine park | Tallebudgera and Currumbin creeks |
| 5. Kirra groyne | Shore · ocean rocks | Land-based | S, SW, W | Not in a marine park | Snapper Rocks (Coolangatta) |
| 6. Snapper Rocks | Shore · ocean rocks | Land-based | E, SE, S | Not in a marine park | Snapper Rocks (Coolangatta) |
| 7. Point Danger | Shore · ocean rocks | Land-based | S, SW, W | Not in a marine park | Snapper Rocks (Coolangatta) |
| 8. Tallebudgera Creek – Awoonga Ave ramp | Boat ramp | Boat (ramp here) and kayak | – | Not in a marine park | Tallebudgera and Currumbin creeks |
| 9. Palm Beach – Murlong Cres ramp | Boat ramp | Boat (ramp here) and kayak | – | Not in a marine park | Tallebudgera and Currumbin creeks |
| 10. Currumbin – Thrower Dr ramp | Boat ramp | Boat (ramp here) and kayak | – | Not in a marine park | Tallebudgera and Currumbin creeks |
| 11. Currumbin – Duringan St ramp | Boat ramp | Boat (ramp here) and kayak | – | Not in a marine park | Tallebudgera and Currumbin creeks |
1. Main Beach
- Type
- Beach · surf beach
- Access
- Land-based
- What's good here
- Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Tailor and Flounder (4 more in season).
- Best tide
- Run-out for dusky flathead and flounder; early run-in for summer whiting; high tide for tailor
- Best wind
- Sheltered in SW, W and NW winds; exposed to NE, E and SE (faces E)
- Zone
- Not in a marine park (Fisheries rules still apply)
- Note
- Surf beach south of The Spit; whiting, dart, tailor. Access: Main Beach Pde.
- Map
- -27.97833, 153.42972 · Open in Google Maps
- Tide times here
- Gold Coast open coast (heights estimated, from Gold Coast Seaway)
- Forecast
- Open in the forecast
2. Burleigh Head
- Type
- Shore · ocean rocks
- Access
- Land-based
- What's good here
- Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Tailor and Mangrove jack (12 more in season).
- Best tide
- Run-out for dusky flathead; early run-in for summer whiting; high tide for tailor; any tide for mangrove jack
- Best wind
- Sheltered in S, SW and W winds; exposed to N, NE and E (faces ENE)
- Zone
- Not in a marine park (Fisheries rules still apply)
- Note
- Headland in Jellurgal (Burleigh Head) National Park; tailor, bream, drummer and trevally. Access: Rock fishing: wear a lifejacket, check the swell.
- Map
- -28.09167, 153.45917 · Open in Google Maps
- Tide times here
- Gold Coast open coast (heights estimated, from Gold Coast Seaway)
- Forecast
- Open in the forecast
Wear a lifejacket on ocean rocks; never turn your back on the sea.
3. Tallebudgera Creek training wall
- Type
- Shore · ocean rocks
- Access
- Land-based
- What's good here
- Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Tailor and Mangrove jack (12 more in season).
- Best tide
- Run-out for dusky flathead; early run-in for summer whiting; high tide for tailor; any tide for mangrove jack
- Best wind
- Sheltered in SW, W and NW winds; exposed to NE, E and SE (faces ESE)
- Zone
- Not in a marine park (Fisheries rules still apply)
- Note
- Rock wall at the creek mouth; whiting, flathead, bream, trevally on the run-in. Access: Tallebudgera Creek Park.
- Map
- -28.09549, 153.46123 · Open in Google Maps
- Tide times here
- Tallebudgera and Currumbin creeks (±1 h, from Gold Coast Seaway)
- Forecast
- Open in the forecast
Wear a lifejacket on ocean rocks; never turn your back on the sea.
4. Currumbin Creek mouth (Currumbin Rock)
- Type
- Shore · surf
- Access
- Land-based
- What's good here
- Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Tailor and Flounder (4 more in season).
- Best tide
- Run-out for dusky flathead and flounder; early run-in for summer whiting; high tide for tailor
- Best wind
- Sheltered in SE, S and SW winds; exposed to NW, N and NE (faces NNE, estimated)
- Zone
- Not in a marine park (Fisheries rules still apply)
- Note
- Creek mouth beside Currumbin Rock; whiting, flathead, bream and tailor. Surf and a strong run-out at the mouth. Access from Pacific Pde, Currumbin.
- Map
- -28.12641, 153.48592 · Open in Google Maps
- Tide times here
- Tallebudgera and Currumbin creeks (±1 h, from Gold Coast Seaway)
- Forecast
- Open in the forecast
5. Kirra groyne
- Type
- Shore · ocean rocks
- Access
- Land-based
- What's good here
- Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Tailor and Mangrove jack (12 more in season).
- Best tide
- Run-out for dusky flathead; early run-in for summer whiting; high tide for tailor; any tide for mangrove jack
- Best wind
- Sheltered in S, SW and W winds; exposed to N, NE and E (faces NE)
- Zone
- Not in a marine park (Fisheries rules still apply)
- Note
- Rock groyne at Kirra; tailor, bream, dart, trevally. Access: Marine Pde, Kirra.
- Map
- -28.16521, 153.53631 · Open in Google Maps
- Tide times here
- Snapper Rocks (Coolangatta) (MSQ local times, from Gold Coast Seaway)
- Forecast
- Open in the forecast
Wear a lifejacket on ocean rocks; never turn your back on the sea.
6. Snapper Rocks
- Type
- Shore · ocean rocks
- Access
- Land-based
- What's good here
- Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Tailor and Mangrove jack (12 more in season).
- Best tide
- Run-out for dusky flathead; early run-in for summer whiting; high tide for tailor; any tide for mangrove jack
- Best wind
- Sheltered in E, SE and S winds; exposed to W, NW and N (faces NW)
- Zone
- Not in a marine park (Fisheries rules still apply)
- Note
- Rocks at Rainbow Bay; tailor, bream, drummer. Access: Rock fishing: wear a lifejacket.
- Map
- -28.16222, 153.55000 · Open in Google Maps
- Tide times here
- Snapper Rocks (Coolangatta) (MSQ local times, from Gold Coast Seaway)
- Forecast
- Open in the forecast
Wear a lifejacket on ocean rocks; never turn your back on the sea.
7. Point Danger
- Type
- Shore · ocean rocks
- Access
- Land-based
- What's good here
- Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Tailor and Mangrove jack (12 more in season).
- Best tide
- Run-out for dusky flathead; early run-in for summer whiting; high tide for tailor; any tide for mangrove jack
- Best wind
- Sheltered in S, SW and W winds; exposed to N, NE and E (faces NE)
- Zone
- Not in a marine park (Fisheries rules still apply)
- Note
- Headland on the QLD/NSW border; tailor, bream, trevally, mulloway. Access: The Tweed River (south) is NSW: NSW licence and rules apply there.
- Map
- -28.16417, 153.55167 · Open in Google Maps
- Tide times here
- Snapper Rocks (Coolangatta) (MSQ local times, from Gold Coast Seaway)
- Forecast
- Open in the forecast
Wear a lifejacket on ocean rocks; never turn your back on the sea.
8. Tallebudgera Creek – Awoonga Ave ramp
- Type
- Boat ramp
- Access
- Boat (ramp here) and kayak
- What's good here
- Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Tailor and Mangrove jack (11 more in season).
- Best tide
- Run-out for dusky flathead; early run-in for summer whiting; high tide for tailor; any tide for mangrove jack
- Best wind
- No facing direction recorded for this spot
- Zone
- Not in a marine park (Fisheries rules still apply)
- Note
- Creek ramp for small boats and kayaks inside Tallebudgera Creek. Going to sea crosses the Tallebudgera Creek bar, a designated bar: check MSQ advice and conditions before crossing.
- Map
- -28.09993, 153.45409 · Open in Google Maps
- Tide times here
- Tallebudgera and Currumbin creeks (±1 h, from Gold Coast Seaway)
- Forecast
- Open in the forecast
9. Palm Beach – Murlong Cres ramp
- Type
- Boat ramp
- Access
- Boat (ramp here) and kayak
- What's good here
- Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Tailor and Mangrove jack (11 more in season).
- Best tide
- Run-out for dusky flathead; early run-in for summer whiting; high tide for tailor; any tide for mangrove jack
- Best wind
- No facing direction recorded for this spot
- Zone
- Not in a marine park (Fisheries rules still apply)
- Note
- Tallebudgera Creek ramp. Going to sea crosses the Tallebudgera Creek bar, a designated bar: check MSQ advice and conditions before crossing.
- Map
- -28.10232, 153.45692 · Open in Google Maps
- Tide times here
- Tallebudgera and Currumbin creeks (±1 h, from Gold Coast Seaway)
- Forecast
- Open in the forecast
10. Currumbin – Thrower Dr ramp
- Type
- Boat ramp
- Access
- Boat (ramp here) and kayak
- What's good here
- Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Tailor and Mangrove jack (11 more in season).
- Best tide
- Run-out for dusky flathead; early run-in for summer whiting; high tide for tailor; any tide for mangrove jack
- Best wind
- No facing direction recorded for this spot
- Zone
- Not in a marine park (Fisheries rules still apply)
- Note
- Currumbin Creek ramp. Going to sea crosses the Currumbin Creek bar, a designated bar: check MSQ advice and conditions before crossing.
- Map
- -28.13566, 153.47659 · Open in Google Maps
- Tide times here
- Tallebudgera and Currumbin creeks (±1 h, from Gold Coast Seaway)
- Forecast
- Open in the forecast
11. Currumbin – Duringan St ramp
- Type
- Boat ramp
- Access
- Boat (ramp here) and kayak
- What's good here
- Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Tailor and Mangrove jack (11 more in season).
- Best tide
- Run-out for dusky flathead; early run-in for summer whiting; high tide for tailor; any tide for mangrove jack
- Best wind
- No facing direction recorded for this spot
- Zone
- Not in a marine park (Fisheries rules still apply)
- Note
- Currumbin Creek ramp. Going to sea crosses the Currumbin Creek bar, a designated bar: check MSQ advice and conditions before crossing.
- Map
- -28.13336, 153.47928 · Open in Google Maps
- Tide times here
- Tallebudgera and Currumbin creeks (±1 h, from Gold Coast Seaway)
- Forecast
- Open in the forecast
Boat ramps on the coast from Burleigh to Point Danger
4 public boat ramps, all launching into smooth water. Trips from these ramps reach 1 reef or mark that we list; all 4 ramps reach it.
| Ramp | Bar crossing | Reach from here |
|---|---|---|
| Tallebudgera Creek – Awoonga Ave ramp | Tallebudgera Bar | FAD 1 Gold Coast 24s (6 h) |
| Palm Beach – Murlong Cres ramp | Tallebudgera Bar | FAD 1 Gold Coast 24s (6 h) |
| Currumbin – Thrower Dr ramp | Currumbin Bar | FAD 1 Gold Coast 24s (6 h) |
| Currumbin – Duringan St ramp | Currumbin Bar | FAD 1 Gold Coast 24s (6 h) |
"Reach from here" lists the reefs and marks whose usual launch is this ramp, with the trip length out and back that we allow for when checking the bar and the open water. Tide places and marine rescue units for each ramp are on the boat ramps page.
What's biting here in October?
In peak season on the coast from Burleigh to Point Danger in October: dusky flathead, summer whiting, tailor, mangrove jack and 5 more. Of the 19 species in our Gold Coast guide that these spots reach, 9 peak in October 2026 and 8 more are in season.
Also in season: Blue swimmer crab, Snapper, Javelin / grunter, Flounder, Australian bonito, Yellowfin bream, Estuary cod, Mud crab, Trevally, Mulloway, Swallowtail dart, Tarwhine and Luderick.
Out of season in October: Tiger squid (best May–Sep); Banana prawns (best Feb–Apr).
Seen now and then here, so not rated: King threadfin.
Every species and its size and bag limits: species guides. Seasons are closure-aware: a species in its closed season is never listed as in season, and its best months leave out any month with a closed day.
Species photos are used under Creative Commons or public-domain terms; see photo credits for each photographer and licence.
Can you fish here? Rules and safety
You don't need a licence to fish Queensland's tidal waters (licence rules), but size and possession limits and closed seasons apply. South of Point Danger (Tweed, Kingscliff, Cook Island) is NSW: NSW rules apply and a NSW recreational fishing licence is required (not covered here).
Size and bag limits: Queensland tidal size and possession limits (our species guides were checked 8 Oct 2026). Fishing rules for South East Queensland.
Rules at particular spots
- NSW waters (at Point Danger): South of Point Danger (Tweed, Kingscliff, Cook Island) is NSW: NSW rules apply and a NSW recreational fishing licence is required (not covered here). Official page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
Bars and open water
Trips to sea from here cross the Tallebudgera Bar or the Currumbin Bar. MSQ: only experienced skippers with local knowledge should cross. Lifejackets must be worn crossing a designated bar in an open boat, or in an open area of any boat (the law since 1 Dec 2024, enforced from 1 Jul 2025; MSQ, checked 9 Oct 2026). We never call a crossing safe: check the conditions yourself.
Ocean rocks here (Burleigh Head, Tallebudgera Creek training wall, Kirra groyne, Snapper Rocks and Point Danger): wear a lifejacket on ocean rocks; never turn your back on the sea.
Marine rescue
Log on and off with MRQ Currumbin (ask the unit for log-on details) and Marine Rescue Point Danger (NSW) ((07) 5506 5900; MarineRescue app). Emergency: 000 (112 from mobiles) · VHF 16 for distress (checked 8 Oct 2026).
Weather
Read the official forecast and warnings in the Bureau of Meteorology's own words: Gold Coast Waters forecast, Byron Coast forecast (NSW) and Current warnings.
Other rules in parts of South East Queensland
Each rule's text says where it applies.
- White spot disease movement area (Caloundra to the NSW border, 100 m off Bribie, Moreton and Stradbroke, inland to Ipswich): prawns, saltwater yabbies, marine worms and other crustaceans must not leave it unless cooked; decontaminate gear and boats when leaving. Exempt: spanner, three-spotted, blue swimmer and mud crabs, bugs, lobsters, red claw. Never use raw supermarket prawns as bait. Official page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
- Prawn-farm channels: Biosecurity Area 2 near Logan-area prawn farms (e.g. Jacobs Well, Pimpama, Steiglitz, Woongoolba, Southern Moreton Bay Islands): no line fishing in farm intake/drainage channels or within 100 m of them; crab pots, cast nets and yabby pumps are allowed. Follow the signs. Official page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
- Bivalves: pipis only: Bivalves and gastropods are no take in Moreton Bay and all tidal waters flowing into it, except pipis (30). Official page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
- Coombabah Lake and Creek: Coombabah Lake and the tidal waters of Coombabah Creek upstream of the lake (Gold Coast): all fishing prohibited. Official page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
- Spearfishing: No spearfishing within 100 m of any public jetty from the Noosa River south; also banned in Lake Weyba/lower Noosa River, the lower Maroochy (incl. the Cod Hole), the Mooloolah below Nicklin Way, parts of Pumicestone Passage, Jumpinpin and the Southport Broadwater/Seaway (south of 27°42′S), Tallebudgera Creek and the artificial reef off Cowan Cowan. Official page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
- Lota–Wynnum worm digging: No worm digging on the Wynnum foreshore (Lota Creek to the Wynnum North Esplanade groyne); hand pumps only in Fish Habitat Areas. Official page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
Nearby fishing areas
- Gold Coast Broadwater and Seaway (about 21 km north)
- Gold Coast offshore (about 30 km north-east)
- Jumpinpin and Jacobs Well (about 40 km north)
- Victoria Point and Redland Bay (about 58 km north)
Distances are between the middle of each area's spots.
Sources and checked dates
- Place names and positions: Queensland place names gazetteer, © State of Queensland (Department of Resources), CC BY 4.0
- Spot positions: Queensland topographic data (QTopo), © State of Queensland (Department of Resources), CC BY 4.0
- Marine park zones: Moreton Bay Marine Park zoning, © State of Queensland (Department of Environment and Science) 2021, CC BY 4.0, simplified; guide only, not for navigation (zones checked 8 Oct 2026).
- Spot data checked 8 Oct 2026; area details checked 8 Oct 2026; bars checked 8 Oct 2026; marine rescue units checked 8 Oct 2026.
- Species seasons: our South East Queensland guide (Gold Coast), rules checked 8 Oct 2026. Tide places name the Maritime Safety Queensland predictions each spot uses (CC BY 4.0).
- Every source and licence: Sources and disclaimers.