Poona Beach

Where the Great Sandy Strait laps a quiet foreshore, Poona Beach is your peaceful window to K'gari (formerly Fraser Island). Calm, protected waters, rich Ramsar wetlands and mangrove-lined creeks make this a favourite for fishing, kayaking, sailing and birdwatching right on the Fraser Coast. With yabbie banks, seagrass beds, sharp drop-offs and expansive mangrove creeks, Poona delivers excellent fishing and crabbing. The Strait yields whiting across the seasons, alongside flathead, bream and sand crabs; warmer months bring trevally, mackerel and tailor into the mix. Work the creeks and you'll find mud crabs alongside species like cod, grunter, estuary salmon and mangrove jack, with barramundi rewarding the patient or persistent. Land-based anglers can work sandbanks, channels and rocky foreshores, while tinnies and kayaks shine in the shallows and creeks. On shore, an easy foreshore walkway links the caravan park to Poona Point, where dugongs and turtles are sometimes seen close to shore. Part of a Ramsar-recognised wetland, the area is superb for spring wildflowers and migrating shorebirds, with dolphins, turtles and dugong frequenting the Strait. Boaties, note Great Sandy Marine Park 'go slow' zones to protect turtles and dugong; an exempt transit lane departs the Poona boat ramp. The local ramp is tide-restricted and wind-affected; full-tide access is generally available from nearby Tuan. Sailors enjoy the Strait's sheltered anchorages, including Garry's Anchorage on the inside of K'gari. Time your visit around the full moon and, weather permitting, watch Poona's "Stairway to the Moon" rise over K'gari from the foreshore. Poona sits about two and a half hours' drive north of Brisbane, one and a half from the Sunshine Coast, and 25 minutes from Maryborough via the Cooloola Coast Road. Find coffee and meals at the caravan park kiosk and Poona Bay Café, with a range of accommodation options nearby including holiday parks and self-contained stays — check the Fraser Coast website for current listings. Bikes and kayaks can be hired locally. The community Hall hums with activities and most Friday evenings bring friendly, home-style fare. Plan a gentle day by the water, and leave time to simply listen to the Strait. We acknowledge the Butchulla People, Traditional Owners of K'gari and the Great Sandy Strait.

Category

Natural Attraction

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