Point Lookout (Frenchmans & Headland)

Point Lookout is the rocky headland at the north-eastern corner of North Stradbroke Island, facing straight into the open Pacific. Small beaches such as Frenchmans tuck in between the headland's rock platforms, and the open ocean washes straight onto them. That combination of surf, rock and reef holds tailor, bream, tarwhine, dart and luderick, with the winter tailor run a long-standing tradition. Whales cruise past in winter, which is a fair distraction while waiting for a bite.

Tailor are caught at dawn and dusk on ganged pilchards or metal slugs cast into the white water around the rocks and gutters. Bream and tarwhine take prawns, pipis or mullet strips fished on a light running sinker in the wash near the rocks. On Frenchmans and the other small beaches, fish the gutters with beach worms or pipis for dart and whiting. Luderick graze the weed on the rocks and are caught on a float with green weed or cabbage. The water here is a yellow zone, so keep to 2 rods or handlines and 2 hooks in total per person.

Tailor are the headline fish, with the best run from June to September. Bream, tarwhine and luderick are reliable in the cooler months, dart are in the gutters most of the year, and snapper and mulloway are occasional catches from the rocks. Tailor 35 cm (possession limit 20), bream and tarwhine 25 cm (30 combined), swallowtail dart 30 cm (30), luderick 30 cm (10), snapper 35 cm (4), mulloway 75 cm (2).

The headland and Frenchmans are in the South Passage–Boat Rock conservation park (yellow) zone of the Moreton Bay Marine Park: maximum 2 rods or handlines and 2 hooks in total per person. Further south, the water off Main Beach is a habitat protection zone, and a large offshore green zone lies further out. Shark control equipment operates off nearby Cylinder Beach and other Straddie beaches, and it is an offence to be within 20 m of it. Snapper are closed from 15 July to 15 August.

Point Lookout is about 30 minutes' drive from the Dunwich ferry terminal. Frenchmans Beach is reached by a walking track and stairs from the township, and the headland rocks by the North Gorge Walk and nearby tracks. There are toilets, cafés and shops in the township, but no facilities on the rocks.

The headland is exposed to the open ocean, so swell size is the main factor: small swells and offshore westerly winds give the safest rock fishing. A strong south-easterly or a big easterly swell makes the rocks dangerous and the beaches messy. Clear water is common, so fish at dawn, dusk or after dark for the best bites.

Rock fishing here is exposed to open-ocean swell. Watch the sea for at least 15 minutes before going onto the rocks, never turn your back on the waves, and stay off the rocks in big swell. A lifejacket is strongly recommended for rock fishing (AS 4758 level 50S or higher for adults), along with cleated shoes. Frenchmans Beach is not patrolled and often has strong surf and rips, so don't swim there. Stay well back from the edges of North Gorge.

Yes. Point Lookout's beaches and headland rocks are popular for tailor, bream and dart. The headland is in a conservation park (yellow) zone, so the limit is 2 rods or handlines and 2 hooks in total per person.

Tailor can be caught year-round, but the main run is from about June to September. The size limit is 35 cm and the possession limit is 20.

It can be dangerous. The headland is exposed to ocean swell, so check the conditions, watch the sea before going out, wear cleated shoes and a lifejacket (strongly recommended), and stay off the rocks in big swell.