Nambucca Heads and Urunga fishing spots
Two river towns south of Coffs: Urunga, where the Bellinger and Kalang rivers share an entrance, and Nambucca Heads at the mouth of the Nambucca River. Both have training walls, sand flats and oyster-lined channels for bream, flathead, whiting and luderick, with bass in the fresh upstream, and the surf beaches between them are known for tailor and mulloway.
Updated
6 spots here, all fished from land, plus 6 public boat ramps. Seasons follow our NSW North Coast species list for New South Wales. Positions are a guide only, not for navigation.
Under each spot, "Forecast for this spot" opens the app's forecast worked out for that spot: Go, Marginal or No-go for each day of the week ahead, with the best times, wind, waves and tide. Open the forecast.
Spots at a glance
| Spot | Type | Fished from | Water | Marine park |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. North Beach (Mylestom) | Beach | Land-based | Ocean coast | – |
| 2. Urunga (Bellinger–Kalang estuary) | Estuary | Land-based, boat and kayak | Bay, estuary or river | – |
| 3. Hungry Head & beach | Headland | Land-based | Ocean coast | – |
| 4. Nambucca Heads (Shelly Beach & V-Wall) | Headland | Land-based | Ocean coast | – |
| 5. Nambucca River (Stuart Island) | River | Land-based, boat and kayak | Bay, estuary or river | – |
| 6. Scotts Head | Headland | Land-based and boat | Ocean coast | – |
1. North Beach (Mylestom)
- Type
- Beach · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
- Access
- Land-based. Beach tracks from Mylestom.
- What's good here
- Peak in October: sand whiting and mulloway. Also in season: tailor and yellowfin bream.
- Best tide
- Rising tide; dawn and dusk for tailor.
- Best wind
- Light westerlies. Faces ESE.
- Note
- Long surf beach at Mylestom, a local pick for tailor and salmon; bream and whiting in the gutters and mulloway after dark.
- Safety
- Unpatrolled; rips.
- Zone
- Not in a marine park Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
- Map
- -30.46510, 153.05110 · Open in Google Maps (position: North Beach, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
- Forecast
- Forecast for this spot
2. Urunga (Bellinger–Kalang estuary)
- Type
- Estuary · bay, estuary or river
- Access
- Land-based, boat and kayak. Urunga foreshore and the Kalang River ramps.
- What's good here
- Peak in October: dusky flathead, sand whiting and mulloway. Also in season: luderick and yellowfin bream.
- Best tide
- Run-in for whiting and bream on the flats; luderick on a moving tide along the walls.
- Best wind
- Sheltered.
- Note
- Lower estuary where the Bellinger and Kalang meet: luderick and bream along the training wall, flathead and whiting on the sand banks, mulloway in the deeper channel.
- Safety
- The Bellinger River entrance is a designated coastal bar.
- Zone
- Not in a marine park Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
- Map
- -30.48170, 153.03440 · Open in Google Maps (position: Urunga Island, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
- Forecast
- Forecast for this spot
3. Hungry Head & beach
- Type
- Headland · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
- Access
- Land-based. Hungry Head reserve south of Urunga.
- What's good here
- Peak in October: mulloway and sand whiting. Also in season: tailor and yellowfin bream.
- Best tide
- Rising tide; dawn and dusk.
- Best wind
- Light westerlies. Faces E.
- Note
- Headland and beach south of Urunga: a local favourite for tailor and salmon in the surf, bream and whiting in the gutters.
- Safety
- Rips; rock ledges wash in swell.
- Zone
- Not in a marine park Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
- Map
- -30.51510, 153.03440 · Open in Google Maps (position: Hungry Head, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
- Forecast
- Forecast for this spot
4. Nambucca Heads (Shelly Beach & V-Wall)
- Type
- Headland · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
- Access
- Land-based. Shelly Beach and the V-Wall are reached by road from Nambucca Heads.
- What's good here
- Peak in October: sand whiting, mulloway and dusky flathead. Also in season: yellowfin bream, luderick and tailor.
- Best tide
- Whiting on the run-in near the mouth; bream and luderick on a moving tide.
- Best wind
- Light westerlies. Faces E.
- Note
- Headland and the painted V-Wall at the river mouth: whiting near the mouth in spring and summer, bream and luderick when it cools, tailor off the rocks at dawn.
- Safety
- The Nambucca River entrance is a designated coastal bar and rough in swell. Rock fishing: wear a lifejacket and non-slip footwear, never fish alone, and watch the swell for 15 minutes before you go down.
- Zone
- Not in a marine park Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
- Map
- -30.64840, 153.01780 · Open in Google Maps (position: Nambucca North Head, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
- Forecast
- Forecast for this spot
5. Nambucca River (Stuart Island)
- Type
- River · bay, estuary or river
- Access
- Land-based, boat and kayak. Stuart Island ramp and Nambucca foreshore.
- What's good here
- Peak in October: dusky flathead and sand whiting. Also in season: yellowfin bream, mud crab and luderick.
- Best tide
- Flathead on the run-out; whiting and bream on the run-in.
- Best wind
- Sheltered.
- Note
- Middle and lower river: bream and flathead on lures along the edges and drop-offs, whiting on the sand, luderick in winter, crabs in the warmer months.
- Safety
- Boat traffic; shallow banks.
- Zone
- Not in a marine park Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
- Map
- -30.66510, 152.98440 · Open in Google Maps (position: Stuarts Island, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
- Forecast
- Forecast for this spot
6. Scotts Head
- Type
- Headland · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
- Access
- Land-based and boat. Scotts Head village; beach ramp beside the headland.
- What's good here
- Peak in October: snapper. Also in season: tailor, yellowfin bream, rock blackfish and luderick.
- Best tide
- Drummer in the wash on any tide; bream and luderick on the run-in.
- Best wind
- Light westerlies. Faces ENE.
- Note
- Headland village south of Nambucca with rock ledges and a beach launch: drummer, bream and luderick off the rocks, tailor at first light, snapper on the inshore reefs in winter.
- Safety
- Rock fishing: wear a lifejacket and non-slip footwear, never fish alone, and watch the swell for 15 minutes before you go down.
- Zone
- Not in a marine park Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
- Map
- -30.74840, 153.00110 · Open in Google Maps (position: Scotts Head, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
- Forecast
- Forecast for this spot
Boat ramps
6 public boat ramps are listed for Nambucca Heads and Urunga, with positions from Maritime NSW Boat Ramps. Lanes, parking and tide access are as the data says: check them on the day.
| Ramp | Notes | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Mylestom ramp (Bellinger River) | Bellinger River. 1 lane; about 21-50 trailer parks; usable at all tides; toilets, fish-cleaning table; condition good (TfNSW). | -30.45989, 153.03985 Google Maps |
| Urunga ramp (downstream), Kalang River | Kalang River. 1 lane; about 0-10 trailer parks; usable at all tides; fish-cleaning table; condition good (TfNSW). | -30.49041, 153.01604 Google Maps |
| Third Head ocean ramp, Urunga | Tasman Sea. 1 lane; about 11-20 trailer parks; usable at all tides; toilets, fish-cleaning table; condition good (TfNSW). Ocean launch. | -30.54625, 153.02836 Google Maps |
| Stuart Island ramp, Nambucca Heads | Nambucca River. 2 lanes; about 23 trailer parks; usable at all tides; toilets, fish-cleaning table; condition good (TfNSW). | -30.65648, 152.99483 Google Maps |
| Gordon Park ramp, Nambucca Heads | Nambucca River. 2 lanes; about 0-10 trailer parks; shallow at low tide; toilets, fish-cleaning table; condition good (TfNSW). | -30.64547, 153.00414 Google Maps |
| Scotts Head ramp | Ocean. 2 lanes; about 0-10 trailer parks; shallow at low tide; toilets; condition fair (TfNSW). Beach launch. | -30.74450, 152.99697 Google Maps |
What's biting here in October?
In peak season at Nambucca Heads and Urunga in October: sand whiting, mulloway, dusky flathead, snapper and 2 more. Of the 29 species our NSW North Coast list has for this part of the coast, 6 peak in October 2026 and 18 more are in season.
Peak in October: sand whiting, mulloway, dusky flathead, snapper, sand and tiger flathead and Australian bass.
Also in season: yellowfin bream, tailor, luderick, rock blackfish, mud crab, tarwhine, yellowtail kingfish, silver trevally, leatherjacket, eastern sea garfish, blue swimmer crab, southern calamari, mangrove jack, mackerel tuna, Australian bonito, marlin, yellowfin tuna and school and eastern king prawns.
Out of season in October: mahi mahi (best Dec–Apr); Spanish mackerel (best Feb–May); cobia (best Feb–May).
Seen now and then, so not rated: Australian salmon and estuary perch.
Seasons are closure-aware: a species is never listed as in season, for the area or at a spot, while it is closed there; a closure for part of the area says where. Species links go to our South East Queensland species guides, with Queensland's limits: New South Wales' own size and bag limits are on the official rules page.
Can you fish here? Rules and safety
NSW Recreational Fishing Fee needed to fish NSW saltwater (incl. spearfishing, hand gathering, bait collecting, prawning): $7 3 days, $14 1 month, $35 1 year, $85 3 years (Oct 2026). Exempt: under 18, Aboriginal people, Pensioner Concession Card and DVA TPI/EDA Gold Card holders (other cases, e.g. some DVA payments or a charter or guide with an exemption certificate, are on the exemptions page). Interstate licences are not an exemption. Licence details. Size and bag limits and closed seasons apply: New South Wales' limits (checked 9 Oct 2026).
Rules at Nambucca Heads and Urunga
- No marine park in this area: standard NSW bag and size limits apply.
- Beach driving needs the joint Nambucca, Kempsey and Port Macquarie-Hastings beach permit on approved beaches only.
Marine parks and no-take zones
Zones are a guide only, not for navigation: check the official maps before you fish.
Safety at Nambucca Heads and Urunga
- The Bellinger (Urunga) and Nambucca entrances are designated coastal bars; the Nambucca mouth has a reputation for being dangerous.
- Beaches are unpatrolled away from the towns.
New South Wales: official links
Read the official forecast and warnings in the Bureau of Meteorology's own words: NSW coastal and local waters forecast map and current warnings.
Boating: New South Wales boating safety, crossing coastal bars and lifejacket rules. Lifejackets: Boats <=4.8m: always on open waters and bars (L100+); enclosed waters when alone or at night. >4.8m: all wear L100+ crossing bars. Under-12s: always on <=4.8m; open areas <=8m underway.
Heading out on the water? Log on and off with Marine Rescue NSW. Log On when you head out and Log Off when you return. Call your Marine Rescue NSW base on VHF Channel 16 or use the free Marine Rescue NSW app. If you don't Log Off, volunteers start searching.
Marine parks and closed areas: NSW marine parks (Cape Byron, Solitary Islands, Port Stephens-Great Lakes, Jervis Bay, Batemans, Lord Howe Island), NSW aquatic reserves, Intertidal protected areas (Sydney) and Australian Marine Parks (Temperate East network, Lord Howe).
- Rock fishing lifejacket law: Lifejacket required by law when rock fishing in declared areas (Rock Fishing Safety Act 2016): Ballina, Central Coast, Kiama, Lake Macquarie, Northern Beaches, Port Stephens, Randwick, Richmond Valley, Sutherland, Wollongong. $100 fine. More.
New South Wales' official rules: size and bag limits and closed seasons and areas (checked 9 Oct 2026).
Emergency: 000 (112 from mobiles) · VHF channel 16 for distress.
Nearby fishing areas
- Coffs Harbour and Sawtell (about 32 km north)
- South West Rocks and the Macleay (about 40 km south)
- Woolgoolga and Red Rock (about 56 km north)
- Wooli and Minnie Water (about 93 km north)
Distances are between the middle of each area. Every area in New South Wales · all fishing spot guides.
Sources and checked dates
- Spot and ramp positions: Composite Gazetteer of Australia (Geoscience Australia and the state and territory naming authorities), CC BY 4.0, ABS Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) Edition 3 (2021) (Australian Bureau of Statistics), CC BY 4.0 and Maritime NSW Boat Ramps (Transport for NSW), CC BY 4.0; gazetteer and ABS positions through our place index. Guide only, not for navigation.
- Spot research checked 9 Oct 2026 and fact-checked 9 Oct 2026; species seasons and rules checked 9 Oct 2026; safety links checked 9 Oct 2026. Text in our own words.
- Research sources: portnews.com.au (Nambucca: South Beach tailor and mulloway, whiting near the mouth in warm months, bream and blackfish when cool, river bream and flathead, dangerous river mouth); blog.fcswc.org.au (Urunga: Bellinger and Kalang species, training wall, Hungry Head and North Beach for tailor and salmon); coastbeat.com.au (Urunga luderick on the rock walls, Mylestom mulloway, Nambucca snapper in winter); kempsey.nsw.gov.au (Joint beach driving permit (Kempsey, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Nambucca)); nsw.gov.au (Designated NSW coastal bars on the north coast (Transport for NSW)); placenames.gov.au (Spot coordinates: the site place index (public/data/places), built from the Composite Gazetteer of Australia (Geoscience Australia and state naming authorities) and ABS ASGS 2021, CC BY 4.0); opendata.transport.nsw.gov.au (Boat ramp coordinates, lanes, parking, tide access and facilities: Maritime NSW Boat Ramps dataset (Transport for NSW, Creative Commons Attribution), metadata updated 3 Oct 2026); spatial.industry.nsw.gov.au (Zone check of every spot and ramp: NSW Marine Protected Areas zone polygons (DPIRD spatial service), distances computed 9 Oct 2026).
- Every source and licence: Sources and disclaimers.