River Heads

River Heads sits on the point where the Mary and Susan rivers meet the Great Sandy Strait, and it is where the barges and ferries leave for K'gari. The Mary is the biggest river on the Fraser Coast, and its mouth pushes a serious tide past the point, with deep holes, rock bars and mangrove edges all within a short walk. Grunter and threadfin follow the dirty water, jacks and cod hold on the rocks, and bream and flathead are about all year. Holidaymakers queue for the barge; the locals queue for the good rock.

Fish the rocks and banks around the point on the last two hours of the run-out and the first of the run-in, when the current slackens enough to hold a bait near the bottom. Fresh prawn, yabbies and strip baits on a running sinker find grunter and bream; threadfin take live prawns and vibes worked along the mud-and-rock edges. Jacks and cod want a lure or live bait tight to the rock bar at dusk. Use enough lead to hold bottom and check your bait often — the current strips it.

Barred javelin (grunter) are 40 cm (10). Blue threadfin are 40 cm (10) and king threadfin 65 cm (5). Mangrove jack are 35 cm (5), and estuary cod have a 38–120 cm slot (5 combined with all cods and groupers). Yellowfin bream are 25 cm (combined 30) and dusky flathead 40–75 cm (5). Mud crabs are 15 cm (7), and female mud crabs are no take.

The water off the point is in the Great Sandy Strait conservation park (yellow) zone of Great Sandy Marine Park — max 2 rods or handlines and 2 hooks in total per person, and no more than 4 crab pots or dillies. The Susan River, to the west, includes a marine national park (green) zone where all fishing is banned; check the zoning map before you fish up that way. The Mary River holds barramundi, which are closed 1 Nov–31 Jan and have a 58–120 cm slot outside the closure.

River Heads is about 20 minutes' drive south of Hervey Bay. There is parking at the boat ramp and barge terminal, with toilets nearby. The rocks around the point are reached on foot from the ramp area; keep clear of the ramp and the barge landing when vehicles and passengers are moving.

Tides are big here — Hervey Bay springs move more than three metres — and the current through the river mouth is strong mid-tide. The point is sheltered from ocean swell by K'gari, but a strong southerly or northerly wind against the tide stands the water up. After rain the Mary runs brown and the grunter and threadfin often fire at the edge of the colour.

The rocks are slippery with mud and weed, and the current off the point is strong — don't wade, and keep children well back. A lifejacket is strongly recommended on the rocks (AS 4758 level 50S or higher for adults). Marine stingers, including Irukandji, are a risk in these waters, especially November to May. Watch for vehicles and trailers around the ramp and barge landing.

Grunter, blue and king threadfin, mangrove jack, estuary cod, bream, flathead and mud crabs around the Mary River mouth.

No. The water off the point is a conservation park (yellow) zone, where you can fish with max 2 rods or handlines and 2 hooks in total per person. The Susan River to the west includes a green zone where all fishing is banned.

The last two hours of the run-out and the first of the run-in, when the current eases enough to fish the bottom.