Mackay, Seaforth and Cape Hillsborough fishing spots

Big tides, a long harbour wall and mangrove creeks. Land-based anglers fish the Mackay Harbour wall for mackerel, tuna and queenfish and the Pioneer River platforms for bream, whiting and the odd barra; north of town the net-free zone from Cape Hillsborough to St Helens has lifted catches of barra, king salmon and fingermark in creeks like Seaforth, Victor and Constant. Spanish mackerel peak from July to November.

Updated 9 Oct 2026

8 spots here: 6 fished from land and 2 reached only by boat, plus 6 public boat ramps. Seasons follow our Mackay & Whitsundays species list for Queensland. 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: Mackay, Seaforth and Cape Hillsborough
Spot	Type	Fished from	Water	Marine park
1. Mackay Harbour wall	Breakwall	Land-based	Ocean coast	–
2. Pioneer River	River	Land-based and boat	Bay, estuary or river	Great Barrier Reef Marine Park / Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park
3. Sandy Creek (Mackay south)	Estuary	Land-based and boat	Bay, estuary or river	–
4. Seaforth Creek & flats	Estuary	Land-based, boat and kayak	Bay, estuary or river	Great Barrier Reef Marine Park / Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park
5. Victor Creek	Estuary	Boat	Bay, estuary or river	Great Barrier Reef Marine Park / Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park
6. Constant Creek (Constants Creek)	Estuary	Boat	Bay, estuary or river	Great Barrier Reef Marine Park / Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park
7. Cape Hillsborough	Headland	Land-based and boat	Ocean coast	Great Barrier Reef Marine Park / Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park; no-take zone nearby
8. Smalleys Beach	Beach	Land-based	Bay, estuary or river	Great Barrier Reef Marine Park / Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park

1. Mackay Harbour wall

Type: Breakwall · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. The rock wall is a couple of kilometres long and you can drive out along it; pin is the harbour.
What's good here: Peak in October: queenfish, trevally and golden snapper. Also in season: school mackerel, spotted mackerel and longtail tuna. Closed season now: Spanish mackerel (8 October to 29 October 2026).
Best tide: Either the run-in or the run-out: moving water brings the bait past the wall.
Best wind: Light winds; the outer face takes the brunt of strong south-easterlies. Faces E.
Note: The region's standout land-based structure. The eastern end of the wall is the fall-back spot: heavy leader and plenty of line for mackerel and tuna, metal lures or floated baits when bait schools pass.
Safety: Wave-washed rocks: watch the swell for a while first, wear grippy footwear and a lifejacket. Crocodile habitat: stand well back from the edge, don't wade, and clean fish away from the water. Box jellyfish and Irukandji: highest risk Nov-May (present all year); wear a stinger suit if you wade. Working port: obey port signs and stay clear of ships and the tug harbour.
Zone: Port waters with no marine park zone mapped at this point. Guide only, not for navigation: check elibrary.gbrmpa.gov.au map (PDF).
Map: -21.10580, 149.22780 · Open in Google Maps (position: Mackay Harbour, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

2. Pioneer River

Type: River · bay, estuary or river
Access: Land-based and boat. Fishing platforms along the Bluewater Trail (Bridge Road, Brisbane Street, Carlyle Street) and around the bridges; East Point at the mouth needs a 4WD.
What's good here: Peak in October: whiting, dusky flathead, trevally, queenfish, barramundi, king threadfin and mangrove jack. Also in season: yellowfin bream. Closing soon: barramundi (closes 1 Nov; closed 1 November to 31 January).
Best tide: Last of the run-out and the early run-in near the mouth; any moving tide at the city platforms.
Best wind: Fishable in most winds from the platforms; light winds for the mouth.
Note: Light gear for bream, whiting, trevally and flathead around the bridges and platforms; bring a heavier outfit near the mouth for queenfish and barra. Bassett Basin, a declared fish habitat area, sits off the north bank.
Safety: Crocodile habitat: stand well back from the edge, don't wade, and clean fish away from the water. Box jellyfish and Irukandji: highest risk Nov-May (present all year); wear a stinger suit if you wade. Slippery rocks at the river edges and big tidal range.
Zone: River mouth is a habitat protection (dark blue) zone: normal fishing rules; no green zone within 5 km. Guide only, not for navigation: check elibrary.gbrmpa.gov.au map (PDF).
Map: -21.14890, 149.22000 · Open in Google Maps (position: Pioneer River, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

3. Sandy Creek (Mackay south)

Type: Estuary · bay, estuary or river
Access: Land-based and boat. About 20 minutes' drive south of Mackay; small ramps on the lower creek.
What's good here: Peak in October: barramundi, king threadfin, mangrove jack, javelin / grunter and mud crab. Also in season: blue threadfin. Closing soon: barramundi (closes 1 Nov; closed 1 November to 31 January).
Best tide: Last of the run-out and the first of the run-in at drains and bends.
Best wind: Light winds; sheltered inside the creek.
Note: Mangrove creek known for salmon and barra; drop a crab pot while you fish. Gazetteer point marks the creek's lower reach.
Safety: Crocodile habitat: stand well back from the edge, don't wade, and clean fish away from the water. Box jellyfish and Irukandji: highest risk Nov-May (present all year); wear a stinger suit if you wade. Big tides here: the water comes in fast over the flats, so keep an exit route.
Zone: No marine park zone mapped at this point; check Map 12 near the mouth. Guide only, not for navigation: check elibrary.gbrmpa.gov.au map (PDF).
Map: -21.27122, 149.19996 · Open in Google Maps (position: Sandy Creek, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

4. Seaforth Creek & flats

Type: Estuary · bay, estuary or river
Access: Land-based, boat and kayak. Seaforth township with a ramp at the creek; foreshore parking.
What's good here: Peak in October: whiting, dusky flathead, javelin / grunter, king threadfin, golden snapper, barramundi and queenfish. Also in season: yellowfin bream. Closing soon: barramundi (closes 1 Nov; closed 1 November to 31 January).
Best tide: Run-in over the flats for whiting; last of the run-out at the creek mouth for predators.
Best wind: Sheltered from south-easterlies; northerlies chop up the flats.
Note: Heart of the Cape Hillsborough-St Helens net-free zone: creeks, headlands, inshore islands and sand flats. Bream, whiting, flathead and grunter on the flats; king salmon, fingermark and barra in the creeks.
Safety: Crocodile habitat: stand well back from the edge, don't wade, and clean fish away from the water. Box jellyfish and Irukandji: highest risk Nov-May (present all year); wear a stinger suit if you wade. Big tides here: the water comes in fast over the flats, so keep an exit route.
Zone: Mouth is a general use (light blue) zone beside habitat protection (dark blue) waters: normal fishing rules. The Seaforth conservation park (yellow) zone starts about 200 m north-west (1 rod or handline with 1 hook per person there); the nearest green zone is off Cape Hillsborough, about 4 km east. Guide only, not for navigation: check elibrary.gbrmpa.gov.au map (PDF).
Map: -20.90279, 148.98221 · Open in Google Maps (position: Seaforth Creek, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

5. Victor Creek

Type: Estuary · bay, estuary or river
Access: Boat. All-tide four-lane ramp at Victor Creek, west of Seaforth.
What's good here: Peak in October: barramundi, king threadfin, golden snapper, mangrove jack, javelin / grunter and mud crab. Closing soon: barramundi (closes 1 Nov; closed 1 November to 31 January).
Best tide: Last of the run-out and first of the run-in; mind the ramp and channel on big lows.
Best wind: Light winds; sheltered inside the creek.
Note: Mangrove creek in the net-free zone; fish snags, rock bars and drain mouths for barra, jacks and fingermark, and the creek mouth for king salmon.
Safety: Crocodile habitat: stand well back from the edge, don't wade, and clean fish away from the water. Box jellyfish and Irukandji: highest risk Nov-May (present all year); wear a stinger suit if you wade.
Zone: Creek mouth is a habitat protection (dark blue) zone: normal fishing rules; green zones lie around nearby islands (about 4 km north): check Map 12. Guide only, not for navigation: check elibrary.gbrmpa.gov.au map (PDF).
Map: -20.90501, 148.93888 · Open in Google Maps (position: Victor Creek, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

6. Constant Creek (Constants Creek)

Type: Estuary · bay, estuary or river
Access: Boat. Boat access; a one-lane ramp sits about 2 km from the gazetteer point.
What's good here: Peak in October: barramundi, mangrove jack, golden snapper, king threadfin and javelin / grunter. Also in season: blue threadfin. Closing soon: barramundi (closes 1 Nov; closed 1 November to 31 January).
Best tide: Last of the run-out and the early run-in, especially in the deeper bends near the mouth.
Best wind: Light winds.
Note: Rated by locals among the best creeks near Mackay for barra, jacks and fingermark; king salmon sometimes hold in the deep bends near the mouth. The gazetteer gives a 1-minute point, so the pin is approximate.
Safety: Crocodile habitat: stand well back from the edge, don't wade, and clean fish away from the water. Box jellyfish and Irukandji: highest risk Nov-May (present all year); wear a stinger suit if you wade.
Zone: Creek is a general use (light blue) zone: normal fishing rules; no green zone within 5 km. Guide only, not for navigation: check elibrary.gbrmpa.gov.au map (PDF).
Map: -21.00000, 149.01666 · Open in Google Maps (position: Constant Creek, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

7. Cape Hillsborough

Type: Headland · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based and boat. Cape Hillsborough National Park road; walk from the beach car park.
What's good here: Peak in October: queenfish, trevally, golden snapper, grass sweetlip and estuary cod. Also in season: school mackerel.
Best tide: Run-in to high tide around the rocks; low tide exposes the rock bar to Wedge Island.
Best wind: Light winds; strong south-easterlies wrap around the cape. Faces NE.
Note: Rocky cape in the net-free zone with queenfish and trevally around the points and inshore islands. Stay south and west of the headland: a green zone covers the water along its northern side.
Safety: Wave-washed rocks: watch the swell for a while first, wear grippy footwear and a lifejacket. Crocodile habitat: stand well back from the edge, don't wade, and clean fish away from the water. Box jellyfish and Irukandji: highest risk Nov-May (present all year); wear a stinger suit if you wade.
Zone: No-take zone nearby. Green zone (no fishing) along the cape's northern side, about 300 m from the named point. Fish only outside it. Guide only, not for navigation: check elibrary.gbrmpa.gov.au map (PDF).
Map: -20.90610, 149.04670 · Open in Google Maps (position: Cape Hillsborough, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

8. Smalleys Beach

Type: Beach · bay, estuary or river
Access: Land-based. Small national park camping area west of Cape Hillsborough; Belmunda Beach and Haliday Bay nearby fish the same way.
What's good here: Peak in October: whiting, dusky flathead, queenfish and trevally. Also in season: yellowfin bream.
Best tide: Run-in over the creek-mouth flats.
Best wind: Sheltered in south-easterlies; northerlies onshore. Faces N.
Note: Work yabbies or worms over the flats where the creek meets the beach for whiting, bream and flathead; queenfish and trevally chase bait along the rocky ends.
Safety: Crocodile habitat: stand well back from the edge, don't wade, and clean fish away from the water. Box jellyfish and Irukandji: highest risk Nov-May (present all year); wear a stinger suit if you wade. Big tides here: the water comes in fast over the flats, so keep an exit route.
Zone: Beach faces a general use (light blue) zone: normal fishing rules; the Cape Hillsborough green zone is about 1.3 km north-east. Guide only, not for navigation: check elibrary.gbrmpa.gov.au map (PDF).
Map: -20.91290, 149.01410 · Open in Google Maps (position: Smalleys Beach, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

Boat ramps

6 public boat ramps are listed for Mackay, Seaforth and Cape Hillsborough, with positions from Built features - Queensland series (Marine infrastructure lines). Lanes, parking and tide access are as the data says: check them on the day.

Boat ramps: Mackay, Seaforth and Cape Hillsborough
Ramp	Notes	Position
Mackay Harbour boat ramp	Three-lane ramp in the outer harbour; quickest access to the islands and reefs off Mackay.	-21.11043, 149.22555 Google Maps
Pioneer River boat ramp (city reach)	Two-lane river ramp near the city; big tidal range, so check the low-tide depth.	-21.14146, 149.19816 Google Maps
Eimeo Creek boat ramp	One-lane creek ramp on Mackay's northern beaches; tide-dependent.	-21.03764, 149.16956 Google Maps
Seaforth boat ramp	Ramp at Seaforth Creek into the net-free zone.	-20.90139, 148.98183 Google Maps
Victor Creek boat ramp	Four-lane all-tide ramp west of Seaforth; access to the creeks and Newry island group.	-20.89014, 148.93288 Google Maps
Sarina Beach boat ramp	Two-lane ramp near Perpetua Point at Sarina Beach, south of Mackay.	-21.39496, 149.31145 Google Maps

What's biting here in October?

In peak season at Mackay, Seaforth and Cape Hillsborough in October: barramundi, king threadfin, golden snapper, queenfish and 12 more. Of the 31 species our Mackay & Whitsundays list has for this part of the coast, 16 peak in October 2026 and 6 more are in season.

Peak in October: barramundi, king threadfin, golden snapper, queenfish, mangrove jack, javelin / grunter, trevally, whiting, dusky flathead, mud crab, estuary cod, grass sweetlip, black jewfish, cobia, grey mackerel and marlin and sailfish.

Also in season: yellowfin bream, blue threadfin, school mackerel, spotted mackerel, longtail tuna and blue swimmer crab.

In closed season now (no take): Spanish mackerel (8 October to 29 October 2026); coral trout (8 October to 12 October 2026); red emperor (8 October to 12 October 2026); nannygai (8 October to 12 October 2026); spangled emperor (8 October to 12 October 2026); redthroat emperor (8 October to 12 October 2026); tuskfish (8 October to 12 October 2026).

Closing soon: barramundi (closes 1 Nov; closed 1 November to 31 January); black jewfish (closes 1 Nov; closed 1 November to 31 January).

Out of season in October: banana prawns (best Feb–May); tiger squid (best May–Aug).

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: Queensland's own size and bag limits are on the official rules page.

Can you fish here? Rules and safety

No licence or fee for recreational fishing in Queensland tidal waters, including the Gulf and Torres Strait (as at 9 Oct 2026). Licence details. Size and bag limits and closed seasons apply: Queensland's limits (checked 9 Oct 2026).

Rules at Mackay, Seaforth and Cape Hillsborough

Great Barrier Reef zoning: green zones (e.g. north side of Cape Hillsborough, around Green Island off Shoal Point) are no fishing. See GBRMPA Map 12.
Net-free zone (Cape Hillsborough to St Helens): bans commercial nets only; recreational limits are unchanged.
Spanish mackerel (north of 22°S) closed 8-29 Oct and 6-27 Nov 2026; coral reef fin fish closed 8-12 Oct and 6-10 Nov 2026.
Barramundi closed on the east coast from 1 Nov to 31 Jan.
Closed waters: no fishing in the Hay Point/Dalrymple Bay coal terminal zone; no spearfishing around Seaforth Island or between Brampton and Carlisle islands.

Marine parks and no-take zones

The zone notes here name Great Barrier Reef Marine Park / Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park. A no-take zone starts close to Cape Hillsborough: its zone note says where. Zones are a guide only, not for navigation: check the official maps before you fish.

Safety at Mackay, Seaforth and Cape Hillsborough

Estuarine crocodiles live in every creek, river and beach here.
Box jellyfish and Irukandji: highest risk Nov-May.
Tides range several metres: launching, flats and creek bars change fast; check the tide before you go.
Crocodile country: saltwater crocodiles live in rivers, estuaries, beaches and around islands here. Stay well back from the water's edge, never clean fish at the water, and don't stand on logs or overhanging banks. More.
Marine stingers (box jellyfish and irukandji) can be in these waters, mostly in the warmer months: cover up if you wade or swim, and carry vinegar. More.

Queensland: official links

Read the official forecast and warnings in the Bureau of Meteorology's own words: Qld coastal and local waters forecast map and current warnings.

Boating: Queensland boating safety, crossing coastal bars and lifejacket rules. Lifejackets: Must wear: crossing a designated bar in an open boat or open area (any length); open boat <4.8m underway alone or at night; children 1-11 in open boat/area underway. AS 4758 only.

Heading out on the water? Log on and off with Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ). Until MRQ is fully operational, log on with your local marine rescue unit by boat radio or by phoning the unit. Channels and hours differ by unit.

Marine parks and closed areas: Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Commonwealth) - GBRMPA zoning maps, GBRMPA - interpreting zones, Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park (State) and all Qld state marine parks, Moreton Bay Marine Park - app and maps, Great Sandy Marine Park - app and maps and Australian Marine Parks (Commonwealth waters, e.g. Coral Sea).

Help on the water (non-emergency): MRQ unit pages list 131 MRQ (131 677). More.

Queensland's 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

Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays (about 91 km north-west)
Bowen (about 146 km north-west)
Yeppoon and Keppel Bay (about 299 km south-east)
Townsville and Magnetic Island (about 314 km north-west)

Distances are between the middle of each area. Every area in Queensland · 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 Built features - Queensland series (Marine infrastructure lines) (State of Queensland), 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: queensland.com (Mackay marina rock wall (east end), Pioneer River platforms and bridges, Smalleys, Belmunda and Haliday Bay flats); queensland.com (Sandy Creek (salmon, barra, mud crabs), Constants Creek near Seaforth, Spanish mackerel July-November); queensland.com (Seaforth and the Cape Hillsborough-St Helens net-free zone: species and land-based options); mackay.qld.gov.au (Pioneer River fishing platforms (Bridge Rd, Brisbane St, Carlyle St) on the Bluewater Trail); mackayandwhitsundaylife.com (All-tide ramps at Victor Creek, Seaforth and Murray Creek into the net-free zone); parks.des.qld.gov.au (Bassett Basin declared fish habitat area); gbrmpa.gov.au (GBRMPA zoning maps (Map 12 Mackay); zones checked against eAtlas GBRMP and Qld GBR Coast Marine Park layers); dpi.qld.gov.au (Spanish mackerel and coral reef fin fish closures 2026); dpi.qld.gov.au (Hay Point closed waters; spearfishing closures); qld.gov.au (Crocodile habitat); qld.gov.au (Marine stingers); services.ga.gov.au (Creek positions from the Composite Gazetteer of Australia (CC BY 4.0)); data.qld.gov.au (Boat ramp positions (Marine infrastructure lines, CC BY 4.0)).
Every source and licence: Sources and disclaimers.