Fishing spots at Caloundra and northern Pumicestone Passage
9 places to fish around Caloundra and the northern Pumicestone Passage: 5 you can fish from land, 3 public boat ramps and 1 reached only by boat. Each has its marine park zone, the winds it is sheltered from, its tide place and what is in season in October.
Updated
Species seasons here follow our Pumicestone Passage & Bribie guide, which covers Pumicestone Passage, Caloundra bar/Kings Beach, Bribie Island ocean beach (Woorim), Bribie Passage (Bongaree, Sandstone Point), Donnybrook/Toorbul. Positions are a guide only, not for navigation.
See this week's fishing forecast for Caloundra: 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. Bulcock Beach (Pumicestone Passage mouth) | Beach | Land-based and kayak | N, NE, E | Dark blue zone HPZ01 | Military Jetty |
| 2. Kings Beach | Beach · surf beach | Land-based | W, NW, N | Dark blue zone HPZ01 | Mooloolaba |
| 3. Caloundra Head | Shore · ocean rocks | Land-based | SW, W, NW | Dark blue zone HPZ01 | Caloundra Head |
| 4. Dicky Beach | Beach · surf beach | Land-based | SW, W, NW | Not in a marine park | Mooloolaba |
| 5. Golden Beach foreshore (Pumicestone Passage) | Shore | Land-based and kayak | SW, W, NW | Dark blue zone HPZ01 | Military Jetty |
| 6. Pumicestone Passage – Halls Bay | Boat area | Boat and kayak | Open water | Yellow zone CPZ01: 2 lines | Halls Creek (Mouth) 'The Farm' |
| 7. Caloundra – Tripcony Lane ramp | Boat ramp | Boat (ramp here) and kayak | – | Dark blue zone HPZ01 | Military Jetty |
| 8. Golden Beach boat ramp (north) | Boat ramp | Boat (ramp here) and kayak | – | Dark blue zone HPZ01 | Military Jetty |
| 9. Golden Beach boat ramp (south, 3 lanes) | Boat ramp | Boat (ramp here) and kayak | – | Dark blue zone HPZ01 | Military Jetty |
1. Bulcock Beach (Pumicestone Passage mouth)
- Type
- Beach
- Access
- Land-based and kayak
- What's good here
- Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Mangrove jack and Mud crab (11 more in season).
- Best tide
- Any tide for mangrove jack and mud crab; run-out for dusky flathead; early run-in for summer whiting
- Best wind
- Sheltered in N, NE and E winds; exposed to S, SW and W (faces SW, estimated)
- Zone
- Habitat Protection Zone (dark blue) HPZ01 Bribie Island (north): normal line fishing, trolling, crabbing and bait gathering (up to 3 lines and 6 hooks per person); no trawling.
- Note
- Sandy foreshore on the lower Pumicestone Passage at Caloundra; whiting, flathead, bream and trevally. The old Caloundra Bar has closed over: the way to sea is now the Bribie Island Bar to the south.
- Map
- -26.80702, 153.13189 · Open in Google Maps
- Tide times here
- Military Jetty (estimated, from Brisbane Bar)
- Forecast
- Open in the forecast
2. Kings Beach
- Type
- Beach · surf beach
- Access
- Land-based
- What's good here
- Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting and Flounder (5 more in season).
- Best tide
- Run-out for dusky flathead and flounder; early run-in for summer whiting
- Best wind
- Sheltered in W, NW and N winds; exposed to E, SE and S (faces SE, estimated)
- Zone
- Habitat Protection Zone (dark blue) HPZ01 Bribie Island (north): normal line fishing, trolling, crabbing and bait gathering (up to 3 lines and 6 hooks per person); no trawling.
- Note
- Small surf beach with rock ledges at each end; tailor, bream and dart. Access: Esplanade, Kings Beach.
- Map
- -26.80424, 153.14161 · Open in Google Maps
- Tide times here
- Mooloolaba (MSQ predictions)
- Forecast
- Open in the forecast
3. Caloundra Head
- Type
- Shore · ocean rocks
- Access
- Land-based
- What's good here
- Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Mangrove jack and Mud crab (11 more in season).
- Best tide
- Any tide for mangrove jack and mud crab; run-out for dusky flathead; early run-in for summer whiting
- Best wind
- Sheltered in SW, W and NW winds; exposed to NE, E and SE (faces ESE)
- Zone
- Habitat Protection Zone (dark blue) HPZ01 Bribie Island (north): normal line fishing, trolling, crabbing and bait gathering (up to 3 lines and 6 hooks per person); no trawling. For the water about 50 m out from here: there is no zone on the land itself.
- Note
- Rocky headland at Kings Beach; tailor, bream, drummer and trevally. Access: Rock fishing: wear a lifejacket, check the swell.
- Map
- -26.80222, 153.15056 · Open in Google Maps
- Tide times here
- Caloundra Head (±1 h, from Mooloolaba)
- Forecast
- Open in the forecast
Wear a lifejacket on ocean rocks; never turn your back on the sea.
4. Dicky Beach
- Type
- Beach · surf beach
- Access
- Land-based
- What's good here
- Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting and Flounder (5 more in season).
- Best tide
- Run-out for dusky flathead and flounder; early run-in for summer whiting
- Best wind
- Sheltered in SW, W and NW winds; exposed to NE, E and SE (faces ENE)
- Zone
- Not in a marine park (Fisheries rules still apply)
- Note
- Open east-facing surf beach; whiting, dart and tailor. Access: Beach access from Dicky Beach park.
- Map
- -26.78285, 153.13939 · Open in Google Maps
- Tide times here
- Mooloolaba (MSQ predictions)
- Forecast
- Open in the forecast
5. Golden Beach foreshore (Pumicestone Passage)
- Type
- Shore
- Access
- Land-based and kayak
- What's good here
- Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Mangrove jack and Mud crab (10 more in season).
- Best tide
- Any tide for mangrove jack and mud crab; run-out for dusky flathead; early run-in for summer whiting
- Best wind
- Sheltered in SW, W and NW winds; exposed to NE, E and SE (faces ENE, estimated)
- Zone
- Habitat Protection Zone (dark blue) HPZ01 Bribie Island (north): normal line fishing, trolling, crabbing and bait gathering (up to 3 lines and 6 hooks per person); no trawling.
- Note
- Sheltered passage foreshore; whiting, flathead and bream; yabbies on the flats. Access: Esplanade, Golden Beach.
- Map
- -26.82118, 153.12162 · Open in Google Maps
- Tide times here
- Military Jetty (estimated, from Brisbane Bar)
- Forecast
- Open in the forecast
6. Pumicestone Passage – Halls Bay
- Type
- Boat area
- Access
- Boat and kayak
- What's good here
- Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Mangrove jack and Mud crab (10 more in season).
- Best tide
- Any tide for mangrove jack and mud crab; run-out for dusky flathead; early run-in for summer whiting
- Best wind
- Open water: exposed to every wind
- Zone
- Conservation Park Zone (yellow) CPZ01 Pumicestone Channel (north): max 2 lines and 2 hooks in total per angler (a lure with up to 3 hooks, a ganged set of up to 6 hooks, or a squid or bait jig counts as one hook), max 4 crab pots, no netting except bait nets.
- Note
- Mid-passage flats and channels; whiting, flathead, bream, mud crabs. Access: Small boats/kayaks; shallow at low tide.
- Map
- -26.87555, 153.10973 · Open in Google Maps
- Tide times here
- Halls Creek (Mouth) 'The Farm' (±1 h, from Brisbane Bar)
- Forecast
- Open in the forecast
7. Caloundra – Tripcony Lane ramp
- Type
- Boat ramp
- Access
- Boat (ramp here) and kayak
- What's good here
- Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Mangrove jack and Mud crab (10 more in season).
- Best tide
- Any tide for mangrove jack and mud crab; run-out for dusky flathead; early run-in for summer whiting
- Best wind
- No facing direction recorded for this spot
- Zone
- Habitat Protection Zone (dark blue) HPZ01 Bribie Island (north): normal line fishing, trolling, crabbing and bait gathering (up to 3 lines and 6 hooks per person); no trawling.
- Note
- Passage ramp near Bulcock Beach. The old Caloundra Bar has closed over; the way to sea is the Bribie Island Bar (designated bar: check MSQ advice and conditions before crossing).
- Map
- -26.80618, 153.12589 · Open in Google Maps
- Tide times here
- Military Jetty (estimated, from Brisbane Bar)
- Forecast
- Open in the forecast
8. Golden Beach boat ramp (north)
- Type
- Boat ramp
- Access
- Boat (ramp here) and kayak
- What's good here
- Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Mangrove jack and Mud crab (10 more in season).
- Best tide
- Any tide for mangrove jack and mud crab; run-out for dusky flathead; early run-in for summer whiting
- Best wind
- No facing direction recorded for this spot
- Zone
- Habitat Protection Zone (dark blue) HPZ01 Bribie Island (north): normal line fishing, trolling, crabbing and bait gathering (up to 3 lines and 6 hooks per person); no trawling.
- Note
- Pumicestone Passage ramp at Golden Beach, close to the Bribie Island Bar (designated bar: check MSQ advice and conditions before crossing).
- Map
- -26.83098, 153.12010 · Open in Google Maps
- Tide times here
- Military Jetty (estimated, from Brisbane Bar)
- Forecast
- Open in the forecast
9. Golden Beach boat ramp (south, 3 lanes)
- Type
- Boat ramp
- Access
- Boat (ramp here) and kayak
- What's good here
- Peak in October: Dusky flathead, Summer whiting, Mangrove jack and Mud crab (10 more in season).
- Best tide
- Any tide for mangrove jack and mud crab; run-out for dusky flathead; early run-in for summer whiting
- Best wind
- No facing direction recorded for this spot
- Zone
- Habitat Protection Zone (dark blue) HPZ01 Bribie Island (north): normal line fishing, trolling, crabbing and bait gathering (up to 3 lines and 6 hooks per person); no trawling.
- Note
- Largest Passage ramp, at the south end of Golden Beach. Going to sea crosses the Bribie Island bar, a designated bar: check MSQ advice and conditions before crossing.
- Map
- -26.84123, 153.11114 · Open in Google Maps
- Tide times here
- Military Jetty (estimated, from Brisbane Bar)
- Forecast
- Open in the forecast
Boat ramps around Caloundra and the northern Pumicestone Passage
3 public boat ramps, all launching into smooth water. Trips from these ramps reach 2 reefs and marks that we list; all 3 ramps reach all of them.
| Ramp | Bar crossing | Reach from here |
|---|---|---|
| Caloundra – Tripcony Lane ramp | Bribie Island Bar | Bray Rock (4 h), Raper Shoal (4 h) |
| Golden Beach boat ramp (north) | Bribie Island Bar | Bray Rock (4 h), Raper Shoal (4 h) |
| Golden Beach boat ramp (south, 3 lanes) | Bribie Island Bar | Bray Rock (4 h), Raper Shoal (4 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 around Caloundra and the northern Pumicestone Passage in October: dusky flathead, summer whiting, mangrove jack, mud crab and 5 more. Of the 17 species in our Pumicestone Passage & Bribie guide that these spots reach, 9 peak in October 2026 and 7 more are in season.
Also in season: Blue swimmer crab, Javelin / grunter, Snapper, Flounder, Australian bonito, Yellowfin bream, Tailor, Swallowtail dart, Tarwhine, Estuary cod, Trevally and Mulloway.
Out of season in October: Tiger squid (best May–Aug).
Seen now and then here, so not rated: Banana prawns.
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, green zones 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. None of the 9 spots on this page is in a green zone.
Size and bag limits: Queensland tidal size and possession limits (our species guides were checked 8 Oct 2026). Fishing rules for South East Queensland.
Bars and open water
Trips to sea from here cross the Bribie Island 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 (Caloundra Head): wear a lifejacket on ocean rocks; never turn your back on the sea.
Marine rescue
Log on and off with MRQ Caloundra (ask the unit for log-on details). Emergency: 000 (112 from mobiles) · VHF 16 for distress (checked 8 Oct 2026).
Weather and zones
Read the official forecast and warnings in the Bureau of Meteorology's own words: Sunshine Coast Waters forecast and Current warnings. Marine park zones are a guide only, not for navigation: check the official zoning maps and app.
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.
- NSW waters: 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.
Nearby fishing areas
- Mooloolaba, Maroochydore and Coolum (about 19 km north)
- Bribie Island (about 27 km south)
- Mooloolaba and Caloundra offshore (about 28 km north-east)
- Tangalooma and central Moreton Bay (about 40 km south-east)
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
- Boat ramps: Sunshine Coast Council open data, CC BY 3.0 AU
- 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 (Pumicestone Passage & Bribie), 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.