Noosa National Park Headland (Boiling Pot)

The rocks below the Noosa National Park coastal track at Boiling Pot face north across Laguna Bay, so they are sheltered from the south-east swell that shuts most of the coast. Deep water and passing bait bring longtail tuna, spotted mackerel and GTs within casting range in summer. In winter the same rocks fish for tailor, bream and snapper. The surfers at the points and the walkers on the track above provide the audience.

In summer, spin metal slugs and stickbaits as far as you can cast when bait and birds show up. Drift a pilchard on ganged hooks or float a live bait out from the rocks for longtails and mackerel. In winter, cast pilchards or strip baits into the washes for tailor and bream. Fish small baits on a light running sinker into the sand patches for tarwhine.

Spotted mackerel are 60 cm (possession 5), tailor 35 cm (20), and bream and tarwhine 25 cm (combined 30). Snapper are 35 cm, 4 per person with no more than one over 70 cm, and closed from 15 July to 15 August. Trevally have no size limit and a combined possession limit of 20.

A lifejacket is strongly recommended on exposed rock — an inflatable or foam vest rated AS 4758 level 50S or higher for adults. This is a national park: dogs are prohibited, and plants, animals and rocks are protected, so bring your bait rather than collecting it from the rocks. Arrive before sunrise on summer mornings to get a ledge, and give the surfers at the points plenty of room.

Park at the Noosa National Park car park at the end of Park Road, or walk in from Hastings Street, then follow the coastal track to Boiling Pot. Reach the rocks only where a well-used path meets the shore. QPWS asks visitors to stay on marked tracks and away from cliff edges, so don't scramble down the slopes. The coastal track itself is easy walking. There are toilets at the park entrance.

The north-facing rocks are sheltered from south-east wind and swell, which makes them fishable when much of the coast is blown out. A northerly wind or a north-east swell makes the ledges unsafe. Clean, warm blue water in summer brings the pelagics in close.

The ledges are exposed rock, and waves can wash over them without warning, especially in a north-east swell. Watch the sea before you go down, fish with someone else, and never turn your back on the water. If someone is washed in, don't jump in; throw something that floats and call 000. Keep your casts away from walkers and surfers.

Line fishing from the rocks along the coastal track is practised under normal fisheries rules. Dogs are prohibited in the national park, and plants, animals and rocks are protected, so don't collect bait from the rocks.

Yes, in summer. Longtail tuna and spotted mackerel come within casting range of the headland rocks, usually from about December to April.

Only in calm conditions. The rocks face north, so they are dangerous in a north-east swell. A lifejacket rated AS 4758 level 50S or higher is strongly recommended for adults on exposed rock.