Kangaroo Point Cliffs (Brisbane River)

The riverwalk at the foot of the Kangaroo Point Cliffs puts you on the bank of the Brisbane River directly across from the City Botanic Gardens, about as central as fishing gets in Australia. The river here is deep, brown and tidal, and it holds king threadfin, mulloway, bream and a few mangrove jacks along the rock edges and snags. It is not pretty fishing, but a big threadfin on the city reach is one of the better stories in Brisbane. Rock climbers above, CityCats in front and a 1-metre threadfin on the line is an unusual way to spend a Tuesday.

Threadfin and mulloway feed on prawns and mullet in the river, so fish a live mullet, a live prawn or a large soft plastic or vibe near the bottom, especially around the change of tide. Vibes and paddle-tail plastics bounced along the bottom are the lure option for both species. Bream and flathead take smaller plastics or a prawn on a light running sinker close to the bank. The best bite tends to be at night or at dawn, around the top or bottom of the tide when the current slows. Use bait prawns rather than supermarket prawns, which can carry white spot disease.

King threadfin are the river's prize and are most active in the warmer months. Mulloway are caught year-round, with more fish in the cooler months. Bream are a reliable winter catch, flathead are best in spring, and mangrove jacks are a summer bonus around structure. King threadfin 65 cm (possession limit 5), mulloway 75 cm (2), bream 25 cm (30, combined with tarwhine), dusky flathead 40–75 cm (5), mangrove jack 35 cm (5).

The Brisbane River's city reaches are outside the Moreton Bay Marine Park, so the standard Queensland tidal limits apply: up to 3 lines and 6 hooks in total per person, and you must stay with your lines. Because these waters flow into Moreton Bay Marine Park, bivalves and gastropods other than pipis are still no take. Raw prawns, yabbies and marine worms must not leave the white spot movement restriction area unless cooked, and that area includes all of Brisbane. The river runs harder than it looks, so a slack tide is worth more than a fancy lure.

The riverwalk runs along the base of the cliffs below River Terrace, Kangaroo Point, with stairs down from the cliff-top park. Parking in the nearby streets is limited, so walking or riding from the CBD across the Goodwill Bridge is often easier. Toilets, barbecues and picnic areas are in the park above.

The river is sheltered from the sea breeze, so wind matters less than tide and rain. Heavy rain in the catchment turns the river into a fast-moving flood that shuts the fishing down until it clears. The tidal flow is strongest on the big spring tides; the neaps are easier to fish with lures. Clearer water in the dry season is better for lure fishing.

The river's edge is a sheer drop into deep, fast water, so keep children well back. Bull sharks live in the Brisbane River, so never swim or wade to retrieve gear. CityCat and ferry wakes can push water up the edge. The riverwalk is shared with cyclists and runners, so keep rods and tackle tidy.

Yes. The Brisbane River is tidal water outside the Moreton Bay Marine Park, so standard Queensland tidal fishing rules apply. No licence is needed.

King threadfin, mulloway (jewfish), yellowfin bream, dusky flathead and mangrove jack, plus bull sharks.

King threadfin must be at least 65 cm, with a possession limit of 5 per person.