Currumbin Creek (Thrower Drive Boardwalk)

Two council fishing platforms sit along the Beree-Badalla boardwalk, which winds across the mangrove flats on the western bank of Currumbin Creek under a kilometre upstream of the entrance. The boardwalk links the Thrower Drive boat ramp carpark to the Gold Coast Highway underpass, and each platform has a seat and a shade cover. This is the creek's whiting-and-flathead country, away from the swimmers and surf at the mouth. It is a gentle, family-sized spot where the biggest drama is usually a pelican negotiating for your bait.

Fish the last of the run-out tide and the first few hours of the run-in, when the water starts moving over the flats. A light running sinker rig with a small long-shank hook baited with a yabby, pipi or beach worm is the classic whiting setup. Flathead lie in the drains and along the edge of the channel and take a small soft plastic or a strip bait worked slowly along the bottom. Murky water fishes better here than gin-clear water. In the cooler months, a small squid jig is worth a few casts at dusk.

Whiting and flathead are the main targets, with bream around any structure. Squid move in during the cooler months and sand crabs are an occasional bonus. Sand whiting are 23 cm with a possession limit of 30; dusky flathead 40–75 cm (5); bream 25 cm (30, combined with tarwhine); blue swimmer crabs 11.5 cm (20), and female blue swimmers are no take.

The creek channel beside and upstream of the boardwalk is a declared Fish Habitat Area: fishing and bait collection are allowed, but a hand yabby pump is the only digging tool permitted. Don't break or trim mangroves for a better cast — damaging marine plants is an offence. Pumped yabbies and worms can't leave the white spot movement area (Caloundra to the NSW border) unless cooked. The platforms are small, so bring a light kit and share the space. Bull sharks use Gold Coast creeks, so keep hands out of the water when landing fish.

Park at the Thrower Drive boat ramp carpark at Palm Beach and follow the boardwalk across the flats; the platforms are along the way. The boardwalk is level and suits prams and wheelchairs, which makes it one of the easier fishing spots on the southern Gold Coast. Palm Beach-Currumbin High sits next door, so expect school traffic on weekday mornings and afternoons.

The flats empty out at low tide, so the best fishing is around the bottom of the tide and the early run-in. Coloured or slightly murky water after a little rain fishes better than clear water. Wind matters less here than on the open coast, but a strong northerly makes casting harder. Summer evenings on the run-in are prime time for whiting.

The mangrove mud beside the boardwalk is soft and deep, so stay on the boardwalk rather than climbing down to the flats. Midges and mosquitoes are fierce at dawn and dusk in summer, so bring repellent. Take care on wet boardwalk timber, and keep hooks clear of passing walkers and cyclists.

Two council platforms sit on the boardwalk through Beree-Badalla Reserve, between the Thrower Drive boat ramp carpark and the Gold Coast Highway underpass on the western bank, under a kilometre upstream of the mouth.

The last of the run-out and the first few hours of the run-in, when water starts moving back over the flats.

Only with a hand yabby pump in the Fish Habitat Area beside and upstream of the boardwalk, where a hand pump is the only digging tool allowed.