Beecroft Head (Mermaids Inlet)

Mermaids Inlet is a narrow gut in the cliffs just north of Beecroft Head, the north-eastern corner of the Beecroft Peninsula, and beside it a broad lower rock platform faces straight out to the open sea. Kingfish, bonito and luderick all work this corner, and it is a known land-based spot for live-baiting kings with more elbow room than The Tubes. It sits in Abrahams Bosom Reserve, a Crown reserve beside Currarong, not on the Defence weapons range that covers most of the peninsula to the south. The water is the Jervis Bay Marine Park's habitat protection zone, where recreational line fishing is allowed. Crown Lands shut the inlet and neighbouring Gosangs Tunnel from June 2022, after heavy rain loosened the rock, and reopened them in October 2024 after a $695,000 job of rock bolting, propping and barrier fencing.

Kingfish and bonito are the targets. Jig a few yellowtail or slimy mackerel for live bait at first light, then fish them on a heavy outfit and a 6/0–9/0 circle hook off the deep-water corner of the platform, under a float or balloon so the bait swims clear of the rock. A stickbait or popper cast wide is the lure option when kings are up on the surface. Luderick and black drummer come from the lower side of the platform, in the white water close in — green weed under a float for luderick, bread or peeled prawn on a short, heavy rig for drummer. Mornings are best — live bait is easier to catch and the walk out is cooler.

Yellowtail kingfish are 65 cm minimum with a bag of 5. Bonito have no size limit and a bag of 10. Luderick are 27 cm with a bag of 10, and black drummer (rock blackfish) 30 cm with a bag of 10. Octopus can't be taken anywhere in the Jervis Bay Marine Park, or from any ocean rock platform in NSW. Eastern blue groper can't be taken by any method in NSW until the end of February 2028 — release any you hook.

The nearest no-take water is well away from the ledge — Blacks Cave Creek Sanctuary Zone back in Currarong is about 2.6 km off, and the Drum and Drumsticks and Hammer Head sanctuary zones are around 4 km down the coast and across the bight. Gosangs Tunnel next door is a 20 m natural slot through the rock to a ledge above the sea; the barrier fencing around it is there for a reason. Everything — rods, live-bait bucket, gaff — has to be carried in and out, so pack for the walk. The NSW Recreational Fishing Fee applies unless you are exempt.

Start at the Abrahams Bosom Reserve car park on the eastern edge of Currarong, where there are toilets and picnic tables, and follow the Abrahams Bosom walking track and Coomie's Walk east — about 2 km each way on bush track to a signposted turn-off for Mermaids Inlet and Gosangs Tunnel. Crown Lands has upgraded about 1 km of the reserve's bush tracks with sandstone stepping blocks. The last stretch is an informal track along the rock face that opens onto the lower platform. It is not a place for young children or anyone unsteady on rock. Don't follow the cliffs south past the reserve — that is the Defence weapons range, where unexploded ordnance may be present and public access runs only to Defence's opening hours.

This is open ocean rock facing north-east, so swell size and direction decide the day. A north-easterly wind pushes the sea straight onto the platform and ends the fishing quickly, while a westerly blows offshore and flattens it. Kings and bonito follow warm, blue water and bait in the warmer months. Luderick and drummer want some wash over the lower ledge, but not a big sea.

Mermaids Inlet is exposed ocean rock for experienced rock fishers only — waves can sweep the lower platform without warning, and the gut beside it surges hard. In December 2013 a man who could not swim and wore no lifejacket lost his footing near the water at 1 am and was swept in, and in February 2022 another man fishing here went missing in big seas. Check the swell forecast before the 2 km walk, then watch the sets for at least 10 minutes before you go down; stay off low, wet rock and never turn your back on the sea. Shoalhaven is not one of the ten declared rock-fishing lifejacket areas, but a lifejacket is strongly recommended. Wear cleated shoes and light clothing you can swim in, and never fish here alone. If you are washed in, swim away from the rocks, float, signal for help and have your mate call 000. Pick your escape route to higher rock before you cast, and stay behind the barrier fencing.

Park at the Abrahams Bosom Reserve car park on the eastern edge of Currarong and walk about 2 km east along the Abrahams Bosom walking track and Coomie's Walk to the signposted turn-off for Mermaids Inlet and Gosangs Tunnel. The last stretch is an informal track along the rock face down to the platform.

No. Mermaids Inlet and Beecroft Head are in Abrahams Bosom Reserve, a Crown reserve beside Currarong. The weapons range covers most of the peninsula further south, including The Tubes and Point Perpendicular, and opens to the public only at set times — generally Friday afternoons, weekends, NSW school holidays and most public holidays — with changes at short notice.

No. The water off Mermaids Inlet is the Jervis Bay Marine Park's habitat protection zone, where recreational line fishing is allowed. The nearest sanctuary zones are Blacks Cave Creek in Currarong and the Drum and Drumsticks islets down the east coast.

Shoalhaven is not one of the ten declared rock-fishing lifejacket areas, but a lifejacket is strongly recommended. Mermaids Inlet is exposed ocean rock where waves can wash the lower platform.