Point Arkwright

Point Arkwright is a rocky headland between Coolum and Yaroomba, with ledges that drop into reef and sand below. It is far enough from the big towns that the rocks are rarely crowded. The washes around the point hold bream and tarwhine, tailor patrol it in winter, and snapper come in close over the reef in the cooler months. The beach on the southern side adds dart and whiting. The bush track along the top is the main thing keeping the crowds at Coolum, and it is doing a fine job.

Drift unweighted pilchards or strip baits into the washes around the point for bream, tailor and the odd snapper. Spin metal slugs at dawn for tailor and GTs. On calm mornings, fish a running-sinker rig with prawn or squid into the sand patches between the reef for tarwhine. A floating pilchard drifted out on the tide at first light is the classic snapper method in winter.

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

A lifejacket is strongly recommended on exposed rock — an inflatable or foam vest rated AS 4758 level 50S or higher for adults. Early morning on a falling swell is the time to go. Scout your ledge and escape route in daylight before trying it in the dark.

Park in the streets around Point Arkwright and take the coastal walking tracks to the headland. Paths lead down to the rocks, but the last part is a scramble over uneven rock. It is not suitable for prams, wheelchairs or small children, and there are no facilities on the headland.

The headland faces east and south-east, so it takes the full swell. A light westerly and a small swell are best. A northerly blows across the point but leaves the southern ledges fishable. In a large swell the ledges are unsafe.

This is exposed rock where waves can sweep the ledges without warning, particularly on a rising tide. Watch the sea before you go down, fish with someone else, and choose a ledge with a safe way out. If someone is washed in, don't jump in after them; throw something that floats and call 000. The tracks are steep and slippery after rain. Shark control nets or drumlines operate off the Coolum and Yaroomba beaches either side — stay more than 20 m from them; it is an offence to be inside the 20 m zone.

Yes. The rocks are fished for tailor, bream, tarwhine and snapper. Only fish them in a small swell, and a lifejacket is strongly recommended.

Snapper and pearl perch are closed on the east coast from 15 July to 15 August each year. Outside that, snapper must be 35 cm, 4 per person, with no more than one over 70 cm.

There are no facilities on the headland itself. The nearest toilets and shops are in Coolum and Yaroomba.