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Great Sandy Marine Park

  • Nature, culture and history

    • Park alerts and park summary

    Getting there and getting around

    From Bundaberg, travel north to the Kolan River then on to Littabella Creek and Baffle Creek. East of Bundaberg is Bargara and the Woongarra Coast with its fringing reefs. Head south from the Elliot River to Woodgate and the Burrum River.

    Hervey Bay (40km off the Bruce Highway, via Maryborough) is a popular holiday destination and a growing coastal city. The Urangan Boat Harbour is a centre for whale watching, fishing charters and other water-based tours. You can get to Fraser Island via the barges at Urangan Boat Harbour and River Heads.

    You can gain access to the Great Sandy Strait from the coastal towns of Maaroom, Boonooroo, Poona and Tinnanbar. Kauri Creek estuary and Tin Can Bay Inlet provide protected waters for boating. From Rainbow Beach you can reach Inskip Point, a managed recreation area, with camping along the eastern shore of Tin Can Inlet. From Inskip Point, barges cross to Fraser Island. Sandy beaches stretch from Rainbow Beach south to Double Island Point.

    Wheelchair accessibility

    Some of the barge landings, boat ramps and commercially operated whale watching tours are wheelchair accessible. Contact the local tourism information centres for more information.

    Park features

    Great Sandy Marine Park protects a range of marine and coastal environments, including rocky shores, fringing reefs, mangroves, seagrass meadows and sandy beaches. Hervey Bay’s waters are protected by Fraser Island. The island has extensive surf beaches, separated by rocky headlands. The protection provided by Fraser Island led to the formation of shallow bays and sheltered channels, which blend into seagrass meadows, mudflats and mangroves. The marine park protects rivers, creeks and estuaries.

    These habitats provide important seasonal resources and stopover points for migratory species including humpback whales, migratory wading birds and marine turtles. Resident species dependent on these habitats include dugong, dolphins, shorebirds, grey nurse sharks, fish, molluscs and cetaceans.

    Woongarra coast

    The Woongarra coast stretches between the Elliot and Burnett Rivers. Although only 20km long, it is a diverse and interesting coastline, formed by a volcanic eruption. Molten rock flowed over the coast into the sea, drastically altering the shores forever. The basalt rock created a foothold for Woongarra’s coral reefs.

    Nooks and crannies in the rock provide ideal anchor points for marine organisms such as sponges, algae and corals. Over 300 fish species, from tiny iridescent damselfish to ponderous, patchy wobbegong sharks, live here. The occasional turtle shelters under rock ledges. Flamboyant, vividly coloured nudibranchs can be seen if you look closely into crevices.

    Olive sea snakes may be docile, but they are venomous. Look but do not disturb the other species of sea snakes that inhabit the reef. Cetaceans, sharks, echinoderms, molluscs, crustaceans and encrusting organisms add to the reef diversity. On most days, there are easy entry and exit points for snorkellers and divers to access the reef only metres from shore.

    Mon Repos Conservation Park supports the largest concentration of nesting marine turtles on the eastern Australian mainland, and the largest loggerhead turtle nesting population in the South Pacific Ocean region.

    Hervey Bay

    Hervey Bay’s waters are protected by Fraser Island. Diverse marine habitats have evolved in varying depths. Extensive seagrass meadows, estimated at 2500km2, grow on sand and mud from intertidal areas to a depth of 32m. These meadows are significant feeding grounds for large populations of marine turtles and dugong.

    Shallow coral reef communities form a fringe around Hervey Bay and the near-shore islands of the Great Sandy Strait. These communities are an interesting mix of subtropical and temperate species of hard and soft corals. Deep-water reef communities include the Southern Gutters and the 25 Fathom Hole in the central/northern section of Hervey Bay. Rocky outcrops featuring gorgonian corals are found here. Offshore from Coonar lies Four Mile Reef, which covers about three hectares.

    Hervey Bay is an important stopover for humpback whales on their annual southern migration.

    Rooney Point, Sandy Cape and Breaksea Spit

    The subtidal reef system at Rooney Point contains rare colonies of vermetid gastropods (sedentary marine snails). Coral occurs in 28–33m of water. Coral growing at this depth is unique to the Rooney Point reef, and it provides habitat for coral reef fish. Sandy Cape is an important marine turtle courtship and breeding area and also a valuable marine turtle rookery. Breaksea Spit is an extensive sand spit exposed to the energy of the open ocean.

    Fraser Island’s eastern beach

    Extensive surf beaches are separated by rocky headlands at Waddy Point, Indian Head and Middle Rocks. Deep tidal rock pools which were carved out by pounding surf are home to many varieties of fish, anemones, molluscs, crustaceans and echinoderms. Champagne Pools at Middle Rocks is a popular tourist destination. The surf beach is inhabited by fish species targeted by recreational fishermen including tailor, dart, bream, whiting and flathead. Terns gather on the shore to rest after foraging at sea.

    Great Sandy Strait

    The Great Sandy Strait is one of Australia’s few passage landscapes where a river outflow is blocked by an offshore island (Fraser Island). The resulting intertidal sand banks, mud flats and calm waters were ideal for developing shallow seagrass beds, mangrove forests, salt marshes and saltpans. These are important feeding grounds for shorebirds, dugong, turtles, dolphins, fish, molluscs and crustaceans.

    The Great Sandy Strait is one of the three most important summer stopovers in Australia for migratory waders (birds) from the northern hemisphere. It is listed under the Ramsar Convention as a "Wetland of International Importance". The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty aimed at halting the worldwide loss of wetlands and conserving remaining wetlands through wise use and management.

    Wolf Rock and the grey nurse shark

    Wolf Rock, near Double Island Point, is one of five key sites for grey nurse sharks in south-east Queensland. The grey nurse shark Carcharias taurus is listed as endangered under the Nature Conservation Act 1992. It is estimated that there are fewer than 500 grey nurse sharks along Australia’s east coast. They look fierce, and people used to believe that they posed a threat to humans. This led to large numbers being killed by spear and line fishers and in shark control programs. Wolf Rock is a mating site and at times has many female and pregnant sharks. Grey nurse sharks are not prolific breeders. They produce only one or two pups every two years. Because of this slow breeding rate, the grey nurse shark population will be slow to recover from past overfishing.

    Marine park zones and designated areas

    Five zones

    Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) manages the Great Sandy Marine Park through a zoning plan. The zoning plan identifies different zones within the marine park, states the objectives for each zone and identifies the level of protection for the zone. The zoning plan lists the activities which can occur "as of right", those for which a permit is required, and those that are prohibited.

    Marine national park zones

    Marine national park zones afford the greatest level of protection, and are used to protect areas of high natural and ecological value. They are identified on the zoning map as green. “Green zones” are essentially “look but don’t take” zones, in which activities such as fishing and collecting are prohibited. No-take activities such as diving and photography are permitted.

    Buffer zone

    Buffer zones have the same entry and use provisions as marine national park zones, but differ in that trolling for pelagic species is permitted. Buffer zones are identified on the zoning map as olive-green. Only one buffer zone exists in the Great Sandy Marine Park and this is around the marine national park zone at Wolf Rock.

    Conservation park zone

    Conservation park zones, identified on the zoning map as yellow, protect significant marine habitats. Commercial netting, trawling and harvest fishing are all prohibited in these zones. Restrictions apply to most other activities conducted in this zone.

    Line fishing is limited to one line or rod and one hook or lure per person. When trolling, a maximum of three lines or rods with a combined total of six hooks can be used per person. When crabbing is permitted, only four catch devices may be used per person.

    Conservation park zones aim to provide a high level of protection for marine landscapes. Within the Great Sandy designated area some provisions regarding commercial and recreational fishing are different from those in the rest of the conservation park zone.

    Habitat protection zone

    Habitat protection zones are identified in the zoning map as dark blue. They are located over areas that contain sensitive habitats. Most activities are permitted in the habitat protection zones, but trawling is prohibited.

    General use zone

    The light blue or general use zone covers all remaining areas of the marine park not identified as marine national park buffer zone, conservation park zone or habitat protection zone. The general use zones aim to provide for conservation while providing opportunities for reasonable use. Most activities are permitted in the zone, but some require a permit.

    Nine designated areas

    Designated areas allow for management of issues that occur within a specific area (e.g. boat strike in shallow seagrass areas where dugong and turtles feed) or which occur only seasonally (e.g. migratory shorebirds roosting). The purpose and provisions of a designated area are in addition to, and equally as important as, the purpose and provisions of the zone for that area.

    Nine designated areas have been identified in Great Sandy Marine Park.

    Mon Repos turtle protection and monitoring areas

    Three designated areas provide for the conservation of the Mon Repos marine turtle rookery through the protection of foreshore, inshore and near shore areas. Mon Repos Conservation Park supports the most significant nesting population of the endangered loggerhead turtles Caretta caretta in the South Pacific Ocean. The designated areas protect a nesting population of about 300–400 female loggerheads annually. Green and flatback turtles also nest at Mon Repos.

    For more information about marine turtles or the designated areas, see the description of the Mon Repos Conservation Park. QPWS manages turtle watching through ticketed beach access. Bookings are essential. For a ranger-guided tour call Bundaberg Region Limited, ph (07) 4153 8888.

    Mon Repos area

    Protection of the foreshore is essential for loggerhead turtles to nest successfully, which is critical for the species’ survival. This area is managed to reduce impacts from human activity and domestic animals.

    Foreshore entry and use provisions:

    • Only authorised vehicles can access the foreshore, and only for monitoring purposes.
    • Domestic animals must not be brought into or allowed to enter the designated area.
    • Between 6pm and 6am public access to the designated area is restricted. Entry is permitted only to people holding beach access tickets for turtle viewing tours.
    • Take only a small torch of not more than three volts. It is an offence to project a light that changes the ambient light horizons in the area, sufficient to disturb marine turtles.
    • Always abide by the directions given to you by QPWS rangers.

    Turtle protection area

    The turtle protection area aims to protect marine turtles and their habitat and minimise human impacts including trawling. Trawling is prohibited in the designated area from 1 November each year to 31 January the following year.

    Turtle monitoring area

    The turtle monitoring area protects marine turtles and their habitat. It provides a designated area for monitoring human activities, including trawling, which may impact on marine turtles, and provides for response to risks to marine turtles.

    Great Sandy designated area

    The Great Sandy designated area incorporates the Great Sandy Strait and Tin Can Bay Inlet, as well as designated rivers and estuaries. In the Great Sandy designated area licensed commercial net, line and beam trawl netting (in the Mary River only) can continue. Recreational fishers are permitted to use three lines or rods per person with a combined total of six hooks when fishing. This applies only in the designated area. When fishing outside this designated area, fishers must comply with the restrictions for the zone they are in.

    Go slow areas

    Go slow designated areas are provided throughout the marine park. They aim to protect turtles and dugongs from boat strike, especially in critical feeding and resting areas.

    When a vessel is operating within go slow areas, it must be “off the plane” (i.e. at a reduced speed). Outside these areas, vessels are permitted to plane. Keeping vessels “off the plane” has proven to be an effective method of reducing the frequency of injuries and death to marine wildlife from boat strike.

    Whale management area

    Hervey Bay is an important stopover for humpback whales on their annual southern migration. The continuing recovery of the humpback whale population depends crucially on successful reproduction and nurturing. The whale management area within Hervey Bay provides for the conservation of humpback whales through management and monitoring to minimise human impacts. The whale management area in Hervey Bay applies from 1 July to 30 November each year.

    Grey nurse shark designated area

    Wolf Rock, near Double Island Point at the southern end of the Great Sandy Marine Park, is one of five key sites identified for the conservation of grey nurse sharks in south-east Queensland. The designated area extends 1.5km around Wolf Rock. Activities are highly regulated in this area and restrictions relating to the interference of grey nurse sharks and their habitat apply to people, including divers, entering and using the area.

    The grey nurse designated area aims to protect the grey nurse shark population and its habitat by minimising harm or distress caused directly or indirectly to grey nurse sharks by diving or other human activities.

    Shorebird roosting and feeding area

    The purpose of the shorebird roosting and feeding area is to protect shorebirds, particularly migratory shorebirds, from disturbance by people, vessels and domestic animals, from habitat loss and degradation, and from introduced pests and predation.

    Fish trap area

    The objective for each fish trap area is to protect important Indigenous sites from damage caused by anchors and from the impact of excavating, modifying or removing material in these areas. Restrictions relate to anchoring and conducting any activity that may impact on the integrity and cultural values of the area. The restrictions in these areas do not apply to a Traditional Owner or Traditional Owner group for the area.

    Camping and accommodation

    Camping

    Camping is available in these nearby parks:


    Other accommodation

    There is a range of holiday accommodation in and around Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, the townships of the Great Sandy Strait, Tin Can Bay and Rainbow Beach. For more information see the tourism information links below.

    Things to do

    Boating and fishing

    The marine park offers excellent boating opportunities. Read more about boating safely and measures to take when boating to look after the park.

    Hervey Bay is renowned for its fishing grounds. Fishing activities are allowed in the marine park, but some restrictions apply to encourage sustainable use. Read more about marine park zones and how to fish for the future.

    Viewing wildlife

    From November to March, visitors to Mon Repos can see turtles laying eggs and young sea turtles emerging from the eggs and racing to the sea. Turtles are easily disturbed from their nesting if people do not follow the correct turtle watching guidelines. To protect nesting turtles and hatchlings, only a limited number of people are allowed access to the beach each night. Visitors are urged to book ahead to avoid disappointment. Read more about turtle watching in Mon Repos Conservation Park.

    Whale watching is popular in Great Sandy Marine Park. Several commercial tour operators offer whale watching cruises — for details, see the tourism information links below. Read more about whale watching.

    See the description of the park’s natural environment for more information about Great Sandy Marine Park’s diverse wildlife.

    Other things to do

    Several areas within the marine park are popular for diving and snorkelling. Enjoy the experience and leave only bubbles.

    Things to know before you go

    Great Sandy Marine Park incorporates five zones and nine designated areas. Different activities are allowed in different areas or zones. See the Marine park zoning section for more information.

    Essentials to bring

    Make sure you have:


    Opening hours

    The park is open 24 hours a day.

    Permits and fees

    Through a permit system, the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service encourages responsible behaviour by marine park users, gathers information, separates and limits conflicting uses, and where necessary, applies limits on activities in the marine park.

    Marine park permits are required for some activities in and near Great Sandy Marine Park, including:

    You might require a permit for other activities. Contact your local QPWS office to check.

    Pets

    Pets are allowed on vessels in the marine park, but are prohibited in all national and conservation parks. Dogs are also prohibited on the beaches and intertidal areas adjacent to protected areas. Leave your pets at home or keep them aboard your boat. Dogs are permitted within Inskip Recreation Area but must be on a leash at all times.

    Dog owners must not take a dog into the shorebird roosting and feeding designated area unless the dog is controlled or restrained in a way that prevents the dog from causing excessive disturbance to shorebirds in the area. Domestic animals are prohibited in the Mon Repos designated area.

    Climate and weather

    The Great Sandy Marine Park has a subtropical climate. Average coastal temperatures range from 22 to 28 degrees Celsius in December and 14 to 21 degrees Celsius in July. For more information see the tourism information links below. Weather forecasts are available from the Bureau of Meteorology.

    Fuel and supplies

    Fuel and supplies are available in Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, Maryborough, some of the townships of the Great Sandy Strait, Tin Can Bay and Rainbow Beach. For more information see the tourism information links below.

    Staying safe


    Looking after the park

    Plan your visit

    Make sure you are familiar with the entry and use provisions for the marine park zone you are entering. For example, Barolin Rock on the Woongarra coast is a marine national park zone (green zone). This means it is a “no take zone” right up to the shore. Point Vernon at Hervey Bay is a conservation park zone (yellow zone), where fishers are limited to one line or rod per person and one hook or lure per line.

    Report incidents promptly

    Report these incidents to Marine Safety Queensland, ph (07) 4973 1208 (24hrs):

    Report these incidents to the Environmental Protection Agency Hotline, ph 1300 130 372:

    Report these incidents to the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries:

    Report these incidents to Police Communications, Maryborough, ph (07) 4123 8111:

    Organise your gear

    Prepare and check your gear. Ensure you use a lockable ice box or food box so as to secure food from wildlife. Organise a bucket or bin with lockable lids to stow rubbish. Transfer bait and foodstuff to reusable containers. Use biodegradable cleaners for hygiene. Invest in high quality fishing gear — cheap line, nets and pots break easily and may increase the chance of them being lost or abandoned. Bring cans rather than bottles.

    Stow it…don’t throw it!

    Keep Great Sandy Marine Park beautiful. If you ship it in, ship it out. Marine wildlife will ingest fragments of rope, plastic bags and fishing line. These are not digested and cause a slow painful death.

    Go well around, let them rest

    Shorebirds are not like street-wise, urbanised birds like noisy mynahs, crows and pigeons. Vehicles, dogs and even humans very easily disturb them. Each time shorebirds fly needlessly they waste hard-earned energy reserves, reducing their ability to survive. Noise, speed and movement easily disturb shorebirds. Always go slow and go around flocks of birds when walking, horse riding, driving or boating. Aircraft, jet skiers, and wind or kite surfers who come too close can cause flocks to rise in fright.

    Always stay on designated roads and tracks. Please don’t drive on the dunes. Remember that shorebirds and turtles nest in the sand and the dunes above high water. Their nests are well camouflaged and not easily seen.

    Fish for the future

    Hervey Bay is renowned for its fishing grounds. Fishing activities are allowed in the marine park, but some restrictions apply to encourage sustainable use.

    Other limits may apply. For further details refer to the zoning map and the entry and use provision table. Stay up to date with bag and sizes limits. For details of bag and size limits for popular fish species, see Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.

    The natural resources of Great Sandy Marine Park are coming under increasing pressure from human impacts. To help conserve fish stocks, take only what you need and leave the rest for another day. Read more about how best to release fish.

    If it is safe to do so, retrieve debris when you find it. Check fishing gear regularly so that any trapped non-target species can be disentangled and released alive.

    Limited spearfishing (by snorkel only) is permitted in general use, habitat protection and conservation park zones. Spearfishing on underwater breathing apparatus or using a power head is prohibited. On-the-spot fines apply.

    Go slow for those below!

    “Go slow for those below” is now a legal requirement in designated areas. Great Sandy Marine Park has a number of go slow areas aimed at protecting turtles and dugongs from boat strike in critical feeding and resting areas. When boating in these areas please:

    High boat speeds cause serious injuries and kill marine wildlife. Boaties should go slow for those below, even outside designated areas, especially when boating over seagrass beds, shallow coral reefs and in the channels as the tide falls.

    Go with the flow

    “Drift fish” over seagrass meadows and coral reefs. Anchor on sand well away from fragile habitats such as seagrass meadows and coral reef. Anchors easily pull seagrass up and will crush and break fragile corals. Please use the correct anchor for the habitat you are fishing. When retrieving your anchor, motor up to it to prevent dragging.

    Where there are no approved moorings, anchoring limits apply to prevent damage to seagrass, coral and bottom-dwelling animals and to manage pollution and vessel numbers.

    Enjoy the ride

    Dolphins may join you while your vessel is on the plane to ride your bow wave. Keep a steady speed and course. Avoid sudden manoeuvres.

    Only in open water

    Sewage discharge from vessels is prohibited in the marine national park zones (green zones) of the Woongarra Coast. Boaties must also refer to Marine Safety Queensland’s Vessel-Based Sewage Discharge Restrictions.

    Keep pets on board

    Pets are allowed on vessels in the marine park, but are prohibited in all national and conservation parks. Dogs are also prohibited on the beaches and intertidal areas adjacent to protected areas. Leave your pets at home or keep them aboard your boat. Dogs are permitted within Inskip Recreation Area but must be on a leash at all times.

    Dog owners must not take a dog into the shorebird roosting and feeding designated area unless the dog is controlled or restrained in a way that prevents the dog from causing excessive disturbance to shorebirds in the area. Domestic animals are prohibited in the Mon Repos designated area.

    Leave only bubbles

    When diving and snorkelling:


    Leave it in the marine park

    Coral must not be taken without a manipulative research permit. It is an offence to remove almost any material (e.g. rock, coral) from the marine park without permission. Similarly, depositing any material without permission in the marine park is also an offence.

    Tread softly, leave only footprints, and take only photos

    Leave shells on the shore. They are potential homes for hermit crabs. Always return creatures and rocks to their original position when exploring tide pools. The creatures that shelter under rocks are vulnerable to exposure.

    Let them find their own food

    Never leave food, scraps or bait available or deliberately feed wildlife. It is best to secure food in lockable boxes. It is illegal to feed dolphins unless specifically indicated.

    Looking after the marine park from home

    Be stormwater-smart! Keep pollutants out of the marine park. Use biodegradable cleaners and degreasers. Always wash your car on grassy areas where detergents can be absorbed and at least partially broken down in the soil. This reduces the amount of detergents that wash into the storm-water drains and out to the ocean.

    In the garden, use an integrated program of mulching, mechanical control and a biodegradable herbicide, rather than just relying on herbicides for weed control. Reduce your use of fertiliser. Try enriching your soils and lawns with organic matter. Never use too much chemical fertiliser. Apply the correct dose in the seasons when they have the most impact and are taken up readily by plants. Nutrients washed into rivers and oceans by heavy rains promote algal growth on seagrass meadows and corals. Heavy algal growth blocks sunlight which seagrasses and corals need to survive.

    Other things you can do:


    Park management

    Great Sandy Marine Park contributes to the conservation and reasonable use of significant marine natural resources. This is achieved through zoning, designated areas, regulation and permits. The marine park is used for a wide range of activities, from fishing and recreation to defence activities and scientific research. The marine park covers tidal lands and marine waters that are a transition zone between tropical and temperate waters, where changing water temperature drives dynamic life cycles and influences the distribution of corals, fish, mangroves and seagrass species.

    Tourism information links

    Bundaberg City Visitor Information Centre
    Tourism Hervey Bay
    Cooloola Regional Development Bureau

    More information about Fraser Island is available on www.frasercoastholidays.info.

    For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see www.queenslandholidays.com.au.

    Further information

    QPWS Maryborough - Marine Parks
    • Cnr Alice and Lennox Sts, Maryborough
    • PO Box 101, Maryborough QLD 4650
    • ph (07) 4121 1921
    • fax (07) 4121 1650
    EPA Customer Service Centre
    • 160 Ann Street, Brisbane
    • PO Box 15155, City East QLD 4002
    • ph (07) 3227 8185
    • fax (07) 3227 8749
    • email csc@epa.qld.gov.au
    Smart Service (for camping bookings)

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    Last updated: 20 July 2007