After a long 2 months back on the Gold Coast we are finally on our way north to Darwin, the Top end and down the west coast to Perth by November. Autumn is the first
leg of our around Australia trip. Our trip plan takes us far as Darwin in early May where will stop for a few weeks and plan the second leg. The intention is to winter in the Northern
Territory and the Kimberly Region of Western Australia then as the weather warms to move south down the west coast.
This time we will travel up the coast road (Bruce Highway), we went inland
in 2005 for the Karumba fishing trip. It will be a quick trip as we have had many trips up this way over the years. We got away on schedule for the 450 kay drive to Woodgate Beach just south of
Bunderberg. A good trip with our rig traveling perfectly.
We were here in 2003 however then we were boatless. By 4:00PM we were set up at the Woodgate Beach Tourist Park with the boat rigged
and ready for 3 1/2 days fishing the Burrum River and its tributaries.
Woodgate Beach, surrounded by national park to the north, west and south sits at the top of Hervey Bay. Sixteen kilometres of pristine beach offers safe swimming and good fishing. Spices taken from
the beach include dart, bream, tailor and mackerel. There are some great National Park bush walks and 4WD tracks.
We've been before and this time it was just for the fishing, unfortunately a
strong south east trade wind blew in for most of the time and made conditions difficult in a small tinnie. Little fishing was done however we had the crab pots set for most of the time, however at the time
of writing all our crabs (we're talking muddies here) were either BIG jennies, female crabs (illegal take in Qld) or undersize (150mm min in Qld) bucks.
The Woodgate Beach Tourist Park is the only caravan park in town. About midway along the espalnade offers good camp sites and caravan sites. Excellent ammenities that have
recently been referbished. Good rates, we paid $23.00 per night for a powered site. Rises to $27.00 in peak season (Qld school holidays). Check their website for
current rates.
We prefer not to book and just take pot luck, however
Woodgate is becoming popular with the southern migration from Easter on thru October.
This is a well maintained park, no pool but good swimming in the big pool
over the road. General store on site, diesel and petrol at the check in. Also a great coffee shop with light meals served for lunch, very popular.
Forum members Jody and Eric [Kedron308] pulled in on the eve of our departure. Was good to catch up with them again, got the latest gossip at happy hour. The next day Good Friday and we
pulled out for four days on the road en route to Lake Tinaroo on the Atherton Tableland .....
