Great Sandy Strait
- Saltwater
- Estuary
Great Sandy Strait
- Saltwater
- Estuary
- Sq. miles
- 193
- Boat Ramps
- 9
- Access Points
- 3
- Species
- 15
The Great Sandy Strait is a significant tidal estuary and marine waterway stretching approximately 70 kilometers along the Fraser Coast of Queensland, Australia. This extensive system separates the mainland from K'gari (Fraser Island) and encompasses a vast area of 613 square kilometers, transitioning north into Hervey Bay. It is characterized by a complex network of intertidal sand and mud flats, expansive seagrass meadows, mangrove forests, salt marshes, and numerous low-lying sandy islands. The southern entrance near Inskip Point is about 2 kilometers wide, with the Mary River entering the strait at River Heads. The region is ecologically rich, designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and containing a Ramsar-listed wetland, all within the broader management framework of the Great Sandy Marine Park. The strait supports a diverse mix of tropical and temperate marine species, making it a premier destination for recreational angling.
Species & education
Learn what type of fish are at Great Sandy Strait and what's needed to catch them.
Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities
Learn how to get on Great Sandy Strait. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.
Know where you can legally fish on Great Sandy Strait
See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.
Queensland licenses and regulations
Queensland Boating Regulations
Official Queensland Government boating and marine hub (Maritime Safety Queensland), covering recreational marine and PWC licences, boat registration, safety equipment, speed limits, and the general safety obligation.
Queensland Fishing License
Queensland has no general recreational fishing licence - most saltwater and freshwater fishing needs no licence. The exception is line fishing in stocked dams/weirs: anyone 18 or over needs a Stocked Impoundment Permit, which this official Fisheries Queensland page explains.
Queensland Fishing Regulations
Official Queensland Government recreational fishing rules hub, covering size and possession limits (tidal and fresh waters), closed seasons and waters, regulated and no-take species, and permitted gear.
Queensland Stream Access Laws
Queensland has no single dedicated stream-access page; this is the closest official page for anglers, listing which state-owned dams and weirs allow public recreational access for fishing, camping and boating, with per-site restrictions.
Take Great Sandy Strait with you
The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.
Use the map without signal
Download the map around Great Sandy Strait to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Great Sandy Strait to find where and when fish are biting for you.
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Tides, wind & water conditions (10 day forecast)
On open water, wind and tide matter as much as the weather. See the best times to fish Great Sandy Strait and check the marine forecast before you launch.
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