Great Sandy Marine Park Bundaberg | Fraser Coast | Sunshine Coast

Great Sandy Marine Park Zoning Plan

A new zoning plan is currently being prepared for the Great Sandy Marine Park following a comprehensive review period.

Photo credit: © Ben Edmonds Photography

About Great Sandy Marine Park

    Park features

    The marine park is used for a wide range of activities, from fishing and recreation to defence activities and scientific research. It covers tidal lands and marine waters that form a transition zone between tropical and temperate waters. The changing water temperature drives dynamic life cycles and influences how coral, fish, mangrove and seagrass species are distributed.

    Conservation and reasonable use of significant marine natural resources, is achieved through zoning, designated areas, entry and use provisions and permits.

    Marine and coastal environments

    Great Sandy Marine Park protects a range of marine and coastal environments, including rivers, creeks, estuaries, rocky shores, fringing reefs, saltmarsh, mangroves, seagrass meadows and sandy beaches.

    These habitats provide important seasonal food sources, nesting and roosting sites, and stopovers for migratory species such as humpback whales, migratory shorebirds, manta rays and marine turtles.

    Resident species of dugong, Australian humpback dolphins, shorebirds, grey nurse sharks and a huge variety of fish, molluscs and crustaceans also depend on these resources.

    K'gari (Fraser Island)

    The marine park surrounds K'gari (Fraser Island) and includes several Marine National Park (green) zones. These are no-take zones and one to note is around Middle Rocks on the eastern side. K'gari (Fraser Island) has several layers of conservation - it is a World Heritage Area, a national park and a recreation area. The Traditional Owners are the Butchulla people. They call the island K'gari, and the wild dingoes on it are called wongari and are protected by law.

    K'gari has an extensive sand and surf beach on its eastern side, which is interspersed by rocky headlands. Surf fishing is popular, especially in tailor season, but do not swim or surf in the ocean as there are rips (strong currents), sharks and no lifeguards. The calmer waters of Hervey Bay lap the western shore of K'gari (Fraser Island), which is characterised by many estuaries and beaches with soft, sometimes boggy, sand.

    Hervey Bay

    Hervey Bay is relatively sheltered from surf and wind by K'gari (Fraser Island), resulting in shallow bays and sheltered channels, which blend into seagrass meadows, mudflats and mangroves. The bay hosts many whales, but particularly humpback whales that stop over around July to November each year.

    Read more about the nature, culture and history of Great Sandy Marine Park.

    Looking after the park

    Know your zone

    It is your responsibility to be familiar with the entry and use provisions for the marine park zone and designated areas 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, in 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.

    A new zoning plan for the marine park will come into effect in 2024. Keep up-to-date about changes.

    Report incidents and breaches promptly

    Contact the department for:

    • breaches of provisions in the zoning plan
    • crocodile sightings
    • harassment or unauthorised feeding of dolphins
    • unusual marine sightings

    Contact the wildlife hotline on 1300 130 372 for:

    • dead or stranded marine turtles or marine mammals, note tag numbers if any.

    Contact Maritime Safety Queensland for any pollution including:

    • oil spills
    • diesel spills
    • sewage spills.

    Contact Fisheries Services, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) for:

    • illegal fishing activities in Queensland
    • marine wildlife trapped in shark nets.

    Contact Queensland Police Service, Policelink for:

    • any unsafe boating practices and matters of concern.

    Fish-friendly tips

    • Don't take plastic bags if possible—transfer bait and foodstuff to reusable containers.
    • Use biodegradable cleaners for hygiene.
    • Take cans rather than bottles.

    Use good gear

    Prepare well and check your gear before you go out on the boat.

    • Invest in high-quality, fishing gear as poor quality lines, nets and pots break easily and increase the chance of them being lost or abandoned.
    • Bring lockable ice boxes and food boxes to secure food from wildlife.
    • Take buckets or bins with secure, lockable lids to stow your rubbish, bait and catch.
    • Keep berley in a sealed, lockable container to avoid attracting wildlife.

    Be pest-free!

    Our precious marine park islands are among the most pest-free islands in the world. They need your help to stay this way.

    Before you visit, please check that your boat, clothing, footwear and gear are free of soil, seeds, parts of plants, eggs, ants and insects (and their eggs), spiders, lizards, toads, rats and mice.

    Be sure to:

    • Unpack your camping gear and equipment and check it carefully as pests love to hide in stored camping gear.
    • Clean soil from footwear and gear as invisible killers such as viruses, bacteria and fungi are carried in soil.
    • Check for seeds in pockets, cuffs and hook and loop fastening strips, such as Velcro.

    While you are on the islands or before setting off from home,

    • Remove soil, weeds, seeds and pests from your boat, gear and clothes before moving to a new site.
    • Wrap seeds and plant material, and place them in your rubbish bin.

    Everyone in Queensland has a General Biosecurity Obligation to minimise the biosecurity risk posed by their activities. This includes the risk of introducing and spreading weeds and pests to island national parks.

    • Please see the guidelines on caring for parks for more information about protecting the environment and heritage in parks.

    Stow it, don't throw it!

    Keep Great Sandy Marine Park beautiful.

    • Leave no litter; littering in the marine park is an offence.
    • Deposit no other material, without permission, in the marine park—it's also an offence.
    • If you ship it in, ship it out—rubbish and waste is your responsibility.
    • Don't let anything float away—marine wildlife will ingest fragments of rope, plastic bags and fishing line, causing a slow, painful death.

    Always go slow and go around flocks of birds

    Any close-by noise, speed and movement disturbs shorebirds. Many need to rest to revive from long migratory flights. Each time shorebirds fly needlessly, they waste energy reserves and reduce their ability to survive.

    Fish with the future in mind

    Fishing activities are allowed in the marine park, but some restrictions apply to encourage sustainable use.

    • Recreational fishing is allowed in all zones except marine national park zones (green zones).
    • Trolling from a vessel under power is the only form of fishing allowed in a buffer zone (olive-green zone).
    • One line or rod per person and one hook or lure per line are allowed in conservation park zones (yellow zones).

    Be aware

    • All fishing equipment must be stowed and secured prior to entering a buffer zone or a green zone.
    • This does not apply to equipment used for trolling of pelagic species within a buffer zone.
    • Take only what you need and leave the rest for another day.
    • If it is safe to do so, please retrieve debris when you find it.

    Help save seagrasses

    When gathering bait:

    • always replace seagrass in an upright position
    • return sediments; don't leave hollows and mounds.

    Help save bait species

    • Look after seagrass meadows, as this helps targeted bait species recover.
    • Check your fishing gear regularly and disentangle and release any trapped, non-target species before they die.

    Spearfishing

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

    Other limits may apply

    For further details refer to:

    Also see: Fisheries Services to read more about:

    • spear fishing
    • fishing regulations
    • bag and size limits.

    Go slow for those below!

    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, so when boating here be aware.

    • It is a legal requirement to ‘Go slow for those below’ in designated areas.
    • 'Go slow' means operating your vessel in a non-planing or non-displacement mode.

    Fast boat speeds can cause serious injuries and kill marine wildlife. Boaties should go slow for those below, even outside of go slow designated areas, especially when boating:

    • over seagrass beds
    • over shallow coral reefs
    • in the channels as the tide falls.

    Share the water

    Any water craft can encounter whales and dolphins. For their and your safety, please know the rules for watching marine mammals.

    Take care with anchors

    Anchors can easily pull up seagrasses and will crush and break fragile corals.

    • Always take care when anchoring.
    • ‘Drift fish’ over seagrass meadows, reef habitats including coral reefs, and the Rooney Point gastropod colonies.
    • Anchor on sand and well away from fragile habitats such as seagrass meadows and coral reefs.
    • Use the correct anchor for the habitat in which you are fishing.
    • Motor up to your anchor, when retrieving it, to prevent dragging.

    Only in open water

    Sewage discharge from vessels is prohibited in certain areas of the marine park, boaties must refer to Maritime Safety Queensland's Vessel-Based Sewage Discharge Restrictions.

    Leave only bubbles

    When diving and snorkelling:

    • ensure you are properly weighted before entering the water
    • practice buoyancy control, and test your gear and techniques, over sand and well away from any coral
    • secure your gear, so it does not catch on coral
    • never stand, lean, drag your feet over, or hold onto corals
    • avoid hovering over corals when taking photographs.

    Quietly observe marine wildlife and avoid interrupting their natural behaviour.

    • Do not handle marine wildlife—some bite or sting.
    • Never chase, grab or attempt to ride free-swimming, marine life or block their path.

    If planning to dive at Wolf Rock,

    • please refer to the designated area restrictions on the zoning map.

    Look but don't touch

    The creatures that shelter under rocks and in tide pools are vulnerable to exposure.

    • Never put your hands or fingers under crevices or rock ledges in tide pools.
    • 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.

    Leave it in the marine park

    It is an offence to collect coral from the marine park without permission.

    Read about limited collecting.

    Let wildlife find their own food

    • Never leave food, scraps or bait available or deliberately feed wildlife—it's an offence.
    • It is best to secure food in lockable boxes.
    • It is prohibited to feed dolphins unless specifically indicated.

    Looking after the marine park from home

    Be stormwater-smart!

    What goes down the stormwater drain, sink, toilet or onto your garden eventually reaches the marine park. Nutrients and fertilisers, that are washed into rivers and oceans by heavy rains, promote heavy algal growth on seagrass meadows and corals blocking sunlight, which they need to survive.

    • Keep nutrients, chemicals and pollutants out of the marine park
    • Use biodegradable herbicides in the garden.
    • Use biodegradable cleaners.
    • Mulch your garden and use less fertiliser.

    What else?

    • Keep plastics and other rubbish out of drains and creeks.
    • Keep your local park and gardens clean.
    • Pick up after your dog.

    Park management

    Marine park zones and designated areas

    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.

    Great Sandy Marine Park contributes to the conservation and reasonable use of significant marine natural resources through the Marine Parks (Great Sandy) Zoning Plan 2017.

    Review of zoning plan

    A review of the zoning plan for the Great Sandy Marine Park has been completed, and a new zoning plan will take effect in 2024.

    Read more about the management of the marine park.

    Read more about permits that are required for some activities in and near Great Sandy Marine Park.

    Tourism information links

    Bundaberg Region Information Centre
    www.bundabergregion.org
    36 Avenue Street, Bundaberg East QLD 4670
    ph 1300 722 099
    email info@bundabergregion.org

    Hervey Bay Visitor Information Centre
    https://www.visitfrasercoast.com
    227 Maryborough–Hervey Bay Road, Urraween, QLD 4655
    ph 1800 811 728
    email tourismhb@visitfrasercoast.com
    Open: Daily 9am–5pm (except Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day)

    Gympie Tourist Information Centre
    www.visitgympieregion.com.au
    Lake Alford Recreation Park, Bruce Highway, Lake Alford, Gympie, QLD 4570
    Phone: 1800 444 222
    Email: tourism.info@gympie.qld.gov.au

    More information about K'gari (Fraser Island) is available on www.visitfrasercoast.com

    For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see Queensland Holidays.

    • There are currently no park alerts for this park.