Shallow Inlet (Sandy Point)

Shallow Inlet is the small tidal inlet on the eastern side of Waratah Bay, tucked between Sandy Point and the northern edge of Wilsons Promontory. Most of the traffic on the road down this way is bound for the Prom and never notices the inlet, and nobody here is complaining. It sits inside Shallow Inlet Marine and Coastal Park, where recreational fishing is allowed, and it is a genuine local hotspot for salmon, trevally, large flathead and King George whiting — with the whiting usually the catch of the day. Much of the inlet dries at low water, which shapes everything about how it is fished: the action follows the tide in and out of a well-marked channel. It is also a kite and windsurfing magnet, so on a windy summer afternoon the water can be full of sails.

Work the channel edges on the incoming tide. As water floods back over the sand and seagrass, the whiting and flathead follow it onto the flats, and a light running sinker rig with pipi, mussel or squid strip cast to the edge of the deeper water is the approach. Soft plastics hopped slowly along the drop-offs are a good way to find the bigger flathead the inlet is known for. Salmon and trevally move in and out with the tide near the entrance and take small metals and baits. Because the inlet drains so far, the hour around low water is often a good time to walk and scout the channel and sand banks for the next tide.

King George whiting are the headline fish, with large flathead the second reason to come; both are taken over the sand and seagrass as the tide floods. Salmon and silver trevally push in from the entrance, with salmon more numerous in the cooler months. Yelloweye mullet are a constant. Victorian limits: King George whiting 27 cm and 20 a day; flathead 27 cm with a combined 20; salmon 21 cm, 20 combined with herring; silver trevally 20 cm. Shallow Inlet is a Marine and Coastal Park, so normal limits apply.

Check the BoM tide tables before driving onto the sand — vehicles can drive on the compacted beach to reach the water, but the tide comes back across the flats faster than it looks. Keep well away from kite and windsurf launch areas on windy days. Fish the run-in and the first of the run-out; the bottom of the tide is for walking, not fishing. The Prom side of the inlet leads toward Wilsons Promontory National Park, where dogs are not permitted.

From Sandy Point, the main inlet access is a short walk from the car park on Sandy Point Road, with toilets and barbecues nearby. The beach is used for launching small craft, and the firm sand allows vehicle access to the water. A walking track from Hourigan Camp Lane, off Millers Road at Yanakie, also reaches the inlet beach from the Prom side. Caravan parks and campgrounds sit on the inlet's edge. Sand access means this is not suitable for wheelchairs. There are no fees.

The inlet is sheltered from the ocean swell but very exposed to wind — the same breezes that bring the kitesurfers make bait fishing hard work and dirty the shallow water. Light-wind days on a big incoming tide are ideal. The entrance channel changes shape and can be unsafe in severe weather. Because much of the inlet dries at low water, tide height drives everything: big spring tides flood more of the flats and spread fish out, while neap tides keep them near the channel.

Shallow Inlet is not patrolled. The tide floods back across the flats quickly and can isolate anyone who has walked out to a sandbar, and channels are deeper and faster than they look — do not wade across them on a rising tide. Vehicles on the sand must stay clear of the waterline and other users, and can be caught by the tide. Stay away from the entrance channel, which shifts and can carry strong currents. Wind and sun exposure are high on open sand.

Yes. Shallow Inlet is a Marine and Coastal Park where recreational fishing is allowed, and it is a popular spot for King George whiting, large flathead, salmon and silver trevally. Fish the incoming tide — much of the inlet dries at low water.

Vehicles can drive on the firm sand to reach the water, but check the BoM tide tables first, keep clear of the waterline and other beach users, and be aware the tide returns quickly across the flats.

No. Shallow Inlet is part of Shallow Inlet Marine and Coastal Park, where fishing is allowed. Wilsons Promontory Marine National Park, where all fishing is banned, lies off the southern Prom, a long way from the inlet.