Port Macquarie and the Hastings fishing spots

Port Macquarie sits at the mouth of the Hastings River, a recreational fishing haven. Its breakwalls, wharves and Settlement Point give easy fishing for luderick, bream, flathead, whiting and mulloway; Limeburners Creek and the Maria River add quieter estuary water; the beaches from North Shore to Lake Cathie fish for tailor, whiting and mulloway; and the headlands give drummer and bream.

Updated 9 Oct 2026

8 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

8 spots: Port Macquarie and the Hastings
Spot	Type	Fished from	Water	Marine park
1. Point Plomer & Queens Head	Headland	Land-based and boat	Ocean coast	–
2. North Shore Beach	Beach	Land-based	Ocean coast	–
3. Settlement Point	River	Land-based, boat and kayak	Bay, estuary or river	–
4. Town Wharf	Wharf	Land-based	Bay, estuary or river	–
5. Southern breakwall & Town Beach	Breakwall	Land-based	Ocean coast	–
6. Shelly Beach rocks	Rocks	Land-based	Ocean coast	–
7. Lighthouse Beach	Beach	Land-based	Ocean coast	–
8. Lake Cathie	Lake	Land-based and kayak	Bay, estuary or river	–

1. Point Plomer & Queens Head

Type: Headland · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based and boat. Gravel roads through Limeburners Creek National Park; campground and beach launch at Point Plomer.
What's good here: In season in October: yellowfin bream, luderick, rock blackfish and tailor.
Best tide: Run-in for bream and luderick; drummer in the wash on any tide.
Best wind: Light westerlies. Faces E.
Note: Rocky points north of town in Limeburners Creek National Park, noted for drummer, luderick and bream, with tailor at first light.
Safety: Rock fishing: wear a lifejacket and non-slip footwear, never fish alone, and watch the swell for 15 minutes before you go down. Remote; limited help nearby.
Zone: Not in a marine park Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
Map: -31.31510, 152.96780 · Open in Google Maps (position: Point Plomer, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

2. North Shore Beach

Type: Beach · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. Vehicle ferry to North Shore; 4WD with a council beach permit via North Shore Drive or Queens Head.
What's good here: Peak in October: sand whiting and mulloway. Also in season: tailor and yellowfin bream.
Best tide: Rising tide; mulloway around the changes after dark.
Best wind: Light westerlies. Faces ESE.
Note: Long beach north of the river mouth, popular for 4WD fishing: bream, whiting and tailor in the gutters, mulloway at night.
Safety: Unpatrolled; rips. Drive only between the tide marks.
Zone: Not in a marine park Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
Map: -31.36510, 152.93440 · Open in Google Maps (position: North Shore Beach, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

3. Settlement Point

Type: River · bay, estuary or river
Access: Land-based, boat and kayak. Settlement Point picnic area and ferry.
What's good here: Peak in October: sand whiting and dusky flathead. Also in season: yellowfin bream and luderick.
Best tide: Whiting on the run-in; flathead on the last of the run-out.
Best wind: Sheltered.
Note: Family-friendly picnic area on the lower Hastings: whiting, bream and flathead from the bank, and good flathead drifts in the channel around the point.
Safety: Keep clear of the vehicle ferry.
Zone: Not in a marine park Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
Map: -31.41510, 152.90110 · Open in Google Maps (position: Settlement Point, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

4. Town Wharf

Type: Wharf · bay, estuary or river
Access: Land-based. Town centre, near the fishermen's co-op.
What's good here: Peak in October: dusky flathead and mulloway. Also in season: yellowfin bream, luderick and silver trevally.
Best tide: Bream on the run-in; mulloway around the changes at night.
Best wind: Sheltered.
Note: Town wharves by the fishermen's co-op: a relaxed spot for bream, trevally and luderick, flathead off the edges, and mulloway after dark.
Safety: Boat traffic and moored vessels.
Zone: Not in a marine park Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
Map: -31.42790, 152.90810 · Open in Google Maps (position: Lady Nelson Wharf, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

5. Southern breakwall & Town Beach

Type: Breakwall · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. Town Beach and the breakwall walk in central Port Macquarie.
What's good here: Peak in October: mulloway and dusky flathead. Also in season: luderick, yellowfin bream and tailor. Out of season now: cobia.
Best tide: Luderick and bream on a moving tide; mulloway around the changes.
Best wind: Light winds; the outer end is exposed to easterly swell. Faces ENE.
Note: The Hastings River's southern wall: luderick year round on weed, bream and flathead, tailor and mulloway; cobia and tuna turn up off the end when conditions suit.
Safety: The Hastings River entrance is a designated coastal bar. 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: -31.43170, 152.91780 · Open in Google Maps (position: Town Beach, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

6. Shelly Beach rocks

Type: Rocks · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. Shelly Beach car park, south of Flynns Beach.
What's good here: In season in October: tailor, luderick, yellowfin bream and rock blackfish.
Best tide: Run-in for luderick and bream; tailor at dawn.
Best wind: Light westerlies with a small swell. Faces ENE.
Note: Rocks in front of Shelly Beach: tailor and luderick off the ledges, bream and drummer in the washes.
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: -31.44840, 152.93440 · Open in Google Maps (position: Shelly Beach, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

7. Lighthouse Beach

Type: Beach · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. Matthew Flinders Drive or Dirah Street; 4WD with a council permit.
What's good here: Peak in October: sand whiting and mulloway. Also in season: tailor and yellowfin bream.
Best tide: Rising tide; mulloway around the changes after dark.
Best wind: Light westerlies. Faces SE.
Note: Nine kilometres of beach from Tacking Point to Lake Cathie: bream, whiting and tailor, with mulloway at the southern end near Lake Cathie.
Safety: Rips; mostly unpatrolled.
Zone: Not in a marine park Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
Map: -31.53170, 152.86780 · Open in Google Maps (position: Lighthouse Beach, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

8. Lake Cathie

Type: Lake · bay, estuary or river
Access: Land-based and kayak. Lake Cathie village foreshore.
What's good here: Peak in October: sand whiting and dusky flathead. Also in season: yellowfin bream, luderick, school and eastern king prawns and eastern sea garfish.
Best tide: Only tidal when the entrance is open: then fish the run-in.
Best wind: Sheltered.
Note: Shallow coastal lake whose entrance opens and closes: whiting, bream and flathead when it is open, and prawns in season. Fishing depends on the entrance.
Safety: Shallow, soft-bottomed edges.
Zone: Not in a marine park Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
Map: -31.54840, 152.83440 · Open in Google Maps (position: Lake Cathie, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

Boat ramps

6 public boat ramps are listed for Port Macquarie and the Hastings, with positions from Maritime NSW Boat Ramps. Lanes, parking and tide access are as the data says: check them on the day.

Boat ramps: Port Macquarie and the Hastings
Ramp	Notes	Position
Westport Park ramp, Port Macquarie	Hastings River. 4 lanes with pontoon; about 21-50 trailer parks; usable at all tides; fish-cleaning table; condition good (TfNSW).	-31.42871, 152.90030 Google Maps
McInherney Park ramp, Port Macquarie	Hastings River. 2 lanes with pontoon; about 11-20 trailer parks; usable at all tides; toilets, fish-cleaning table; condition good (TfNSW).	-31.42085, 152.88646 Google Maps
Buller Street ramp (back channel)	Hastings River Back Channel. 2 lanes; about 0-10 trailer parks; usable at all tides; condition good (TfNSW).	-31.43033, 152.90350 Google Maps
Point Plomer ramp	South Pacific Ocean. 1 lane; about 0-10 trailer parks; usable at all tides; toilets, fish-cleaning table; condition good (TfNSW). Ocean beach launch in Limeburners Creek National Park.	-31.31291, 152.97107 Google Maps
Jabiru Reserve ramp, Lake Cathie	Cathie Creek. 1 lane; about 0-10 trailer parks; usable at all tides; condition good (TfNSW).	-31.54612, 152.85441 Google Maps
Rocks Ferry Reserve ramp, Wauchope	Hastings River. 2 lanes with pontoon; about 21-50 trailer parks; usable at all tides; toilets, fish-cleaning table; condition good (TfNSW). Upper Hastings.	-31.45248, 152.74735 Google Maps

What's biting here in October?

In peak season at Port Macquarie and the Hastings in October: dusky flathead, sand whiting, mulloway, sand and tiger flathead 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: dusky flathead, sand whiting, mulloway, sand and tiger flathead, snapper and Australian bass.

Also in season: yellowfin bream, luderick, tailor, rock blackfish, silver trevally, eastern sea garfish, school and eastern king prawns, tarwhine, yellowtail kingfish, leatherjacket, mud crab, blue swimmer crab, southern calamari, mangrove jack, mackerel tuna, Australian bonito, marlin and yellowfin tuna.

Out of season in October: cobia (best Feb–May); mahi mahi (best Dec–Apr); Spanish mackerel (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 Port Macquarie and the Hastings

The Hastings River is a recreational fishing haven.
Beach driving needs the joint Port Macquarie-Hastings, Kempsey and Nambucca permit and is limited to approved beaches and signposted access points.

Marine parks and no-take zones

Zones are a guide only, not for navigation: check the official maps before you fish.

Safety at Port Macquarie and the Hastings

The Hastings River entrance is a designated coastal bar: get local advice and wear lifejackets crossing.
Headland rock fishing: lifejacket and a partner.

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

Camden Haven (about 26 km south)
South West Rocks and the Macleay (about 56 km north)
Forster-Tuncurry and Wallis Lake (about 93 km south-west)
Nambucca Heads and Urunga (about 95 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: dpird.nsw.gov.au (DPIRD Port Macquarie Go Fishing guide (08/2024): recreational fishing haven, breakwall luderick, mulloway, longtail and cobia, flathead Oct-Apr on the run-out, whiting Nov-Apr, Limeburners and Maria River); coastbeat.com.au (Port Macquarie spots: southern breakwall, town wharf, Settlement Point, Lake Cathie, Queens Head, Town to Lighthouse beaches); portnews.com.au (Port Macquarie News (Sep 2020): breakwall blackfish, bream and mulloway; Point Plomer bream; Shelly Beach tailor and blackfish; Lighthouse Beach mulloway near Lake Cathie); pmhc.nsw.gov.au (Port Macquarie-Hastings beach driving permits and access points); 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.