Fishing in Monga National Park

Monga National Park sits on the southern tablelands of New South Wales, straddling the ranges between Braidwood and the coast.

The park protects a stretch of cool temperate and old-growth eucalypt country where the headwaters of several coastal river systems begin their run east. The fishing here is freshwater and creek-scale — tight, forested, and unhurried.

The Mongarlowe River is the water most visitors encounter first. The park has a picnic area on its banks, and the river is accessible enough for a casual session while others in your group walk or swim.

Platypus are present, which tells you something about the condition of the water. The Mongarlowe drains a forested catchment and runs gently through this section of the park.

Beyond the Mongarlowe, the park holds a network of smaller tributaries — Buckenbowra River, Nelligen Creek, Jembaicumbene Creek, Quart Pot Creek, and others — that thread through the ranges.

These are creek-fishing situations: short casts, careful approach, and an eye for the deeper pools where fish hold in the shade.

Access into the park from Braidwood runs east along the Kings Highway, with River Forest Road turning off after about 20 kilometres. Much of the creek country requires walking in from the road, and some of it is 4WD territory.

Standard NSW fishing regulations apply inside the park.

Check current rules with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service before you go — conditions and access can change, particularly after fire or flood, and the 2019–20 bushfires affected this country significantly.

The fishing in Monga rewards patience over ambition. The creeks are small, the forest is close, and the water is worth treating carefully.