Fishing in Limeburners Creek National Park

Limeburners Creek National Park sits on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, about 5 kilometres north of Port Macquarie.

The park's fishing is defined by estuarine water — tidal creeks, shallow flats, and the lower reaches of rivers that drain into the Hastings system before reaching the sea.

The coastline adds a rock platform dimension, with headlands accessible from within the park boundary. Limeburners Creek is the centrepiece.

Where it spills into the Hastings, the mouth is dense with oyster farms — the most structure-rich section of the whole river. Speed and wash limits apply because of those leases, but the racks and pontoons concentrate fish.

Big bream work the oyster structure and respond to lightly-weighted plastics, crankbaits, and surface lures. The sandy flats and deeper channels hold flathead well, particularly on soft plastics and vibes.

Blue swimmer crabs turn up in the shallower water of Big Bay. The Maria River forks northwest off the Hastings upstream of the creek mouth. Its lower reaches hold good numbers of fish, and the tidal influence pushes well inland through this system.

Saltwater Lake, within the park, adds another body of water to the mix. Point Plomer, accessed through the park's camping area, is the main rock platform option.

The headland holds bream, tailor, drummer, luderick, and mulloway — including some large jewfish taken on lures from the rocks. The best ground is reached by walking the paved path over the headland and fishing down from the viewing platform.

Big Hill headland is a shorter, more accessible walk; pull up opposite Limeburners Creek and follow the track up and around. The park is managed by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

A standard NSW fishing licence applies — check directly with NPWS for any park-specific conditions before you go, as rules around access and camping can affect how you fish the area. The fishing here rewards local knowledge and patience with tides.

The oyster lease structure in the creek, the tidal push through the Maria, and the rock platforms at Plomer are all worth time. Come in knowing the water moves, and plan around it.