Salmon Rocks (Cape Conran)

Salmon Rocks is the rocky stretch and exposed beach at West Cape in Cape Conran Coastal Park, east of Marlo on the Wilderness Coast. Waves break on a reef just offshore, which makes the white water here a natural salmon and tailor hunting ground. The park is a place to swim, dive, surf and fish, and West Cape has the only boat ramp in the area. Out here the loudest neighbour is the surf on the reef. It is wild coast with rough surf and slippery rock, so it rewards care as much as skill. The name, at least, sets the right expectations.

Fish the sand beside the rocks or, in calm conditions only, the lower rock edges, casting metal slugs and pilchard baits into the white water off the reef for salmon and tailor. A paternoster rig in the sand gutters takes mullet, flathead and silver trevally. Gummy sharks come after dark from the beach. On the rocks, fish a rising tide on a small swell and never with your back to the sea.

Salmon and tailor are the main fish, with silver trevally, flathead, mullet and gummy sharks from the beach. Salmon have a 21 cm minimum and a combined bag of 20 with Australian herring; tailor are 23 cm with a bag of 20; silver trevally are 20 cm with a combined bag of 20. Gummy and school sharks have a combined bag of 2.

Wear a lifejacket whenever you fish the rocks — that is the standing advice for rock fishing everywhere in Victoria (AS 4758 Level 50S or greater for adults, Level 100 or greater for children). Check the swell, tide and wind for several days before, never fish the rocks alone, and wear cleated shoes. Beware Reef Marine Sanctuary lies offshore east of the cape and is no-take, so any boat trip from the West Cape ramp must stay out of it. Camping and fires are not allowed at Salmon Rocks; check Parks Victoria's dog rules for Cape Conran before you bring one.

From Marlo, follow the coast road toward Cape Conran and West Cape Road; the road to the West Cape boat ramp is sealed, with a large car park nearby, and Salmon Rocks Road leads to the beach. The beach and rocks are a short walk from the road; the terrain is uneven and not wheelchair accessible. Check Parks Victoria for Banksia Bluff Campground's status before you book. There are no facilities on the rocks themselves.

Salmon Rocks faces open Bass Strait and the swell breaks on the reef offshore. A small swell and a northerly wind make it fishable and pleasant; a big sea makes the rocks unsafe and the beach a mess of white water. A rising tide pushes baitfish and salmon close in. Strong currents run around the cape.

Expect deep water, submerged obstacles, strong currents, rough surf, uneven ground and slippery rocks here. Waves can wash over the lower rocks without warning: wear a lifejacket, face the sea, and if someone is washed in, do not jump in — throw something that floats and call 000. Ticks are common in the park. Watch for boat traffic at the West Cape ramp. The West Cape ramp is exposed and often slippery with sand and kelp.

Wear one. Always wear a lifejacket when rock fishing — AS 4758 Level 50S or greater for adults and Level 100 or greater for children — and mandatory zones apply at some high-risk sites. Check the swell before you go and never fish alone.

Not inside it. Beware Reef Marine Sanctuary, offshore east of Cape Conran, is a no-take area. Fishing from the shore at Salmon Rocks is outside it.

Yes. West Cape has the only boat launching ramp in the area, with a sealed access road and a large car park.