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RIVER FISHING: 8 GREAT SPOTS TO FISH NEAR BUNDABERG 1. Burnett River The Burnett River begins at Burnett Heads and meanders its way through the countryside, passing the town of Bundaberg before heading inland. It offers a smorgasbord of fishing options and can be fished from Ben Anderson’s Barrage to its mouth at Burnett Heads. Popular Bundaberg fishing spots to try to include Skyringville, the North Wall, Kirby’s Wall, Strathdee’s Rocks, Splitter’s Creek, and the Town Reach. Bream, whiting, and barramundi can be caught throughout the year, and in colder months the river produces tailor and blue threadfin salmon. The mouth of the river is also a haven for tuna and mackerel, and the north wall for bream, whiting, flathead, and Moses perch. 2. Burrum River The Burrum River offers fantastic fishing and crabbing opportunities. Fish species commonly caught here include bream, black bream, whiting, estuary cod, and flathead. Mud crabs can be found all year long, while prawns, barramundi, and mangrove jack are usually seasonal. It’s easy to find the best spots — the main access point to the south is at Burrum Heads and from the Bundaberg side, Walker’s Point at Woodgate. When temperatures start to rise, keep your eyes peeled for both jacks and barra as they love warm water. 3. Kolan River There’s something for everyone at Kolan River, which is popular with local fishers as well as those who love boating and kayaking. The small mangrove-lined tributaries hide cod, mangrove jack, black bream, and mud crabs, while the broad, shallow sand flats offer whiting and flathead. 4. Elliot River The Elliot River is popular with both fishermen and swimmers and is a pristine waterway with crystal clear waters covering white sand in its lower reaches. The river has a healthy supply of whiting and flathead, and as you venture upstream, you can encounter mangrove jack, barramundi, cod, and lots of other estuarine species. The river also offers passage to the sea and is a popular launching spot for anglers wanting to fish the offshore artificial reefs located a few miles from the mouth of the river. 5. Baffle Creek As one of Queensland’s few remaining undisturbed coastal rivers, Baffle Creek is a pristine river system surrounded by rainforests and lots of wildlife. At 35 kilometers long, it’s bigger than any other estuary in Southeast Queensland and ideal for those who love boating, canoeing, and of course fishing! In terms of a possible catch, you’ll be spoilt for choice here. From tailor, queenfish, trevally, bream, salmon, and whiting to perch, flathead, barramundi, cod, and more! If you’re after bream, whiting, flathead, flounder, or sole, try the extensive sand flats. If you’re a barra chaser, check out the rocky areas down from the mouth of the river. 6. Pancake Creek and Middle Creek For years these creeks have been popular destinations for anglers in the Bundaberg area and beyond. At Pancake Creek, there are fantastic angling, spearfishing, and snorkeling opportunities. There are also endless opportunities for families, with a coral reef at the mouth of the creek. The oyster-encrusted rocks are bream magnets, but you can also catch tarwhine and flathead here. With favorable weather, consider fishing the rocks and headlands offshore that offer a variety of reef fish. To access Middle Creek, there is a ramp where you can launch a boat with a four-wheel-drive at all but low tide. A higher tide is needed at Pancake Creek to make the trip safely. Care should also be taken to avoid the rocks and shallow sandbars scattered throughout the entire system. 7. Lake Gregory Lake Gregory is one of two main freshwater reservoirs within an hour of Bundaberg and is surrounded by beautiful native trees and a shoreline filled with green lily pads. In terms of good fishing spots in Bundaberg, it is stocked with bass and saratoga, but before throwing in a line, you’ll need to pay a small fee for a compulsory license. These can be found at most of the region’s tackle shops. It is one of the healthiest bass systems in the area with great catch rates year-round—bass half a meter and larger are regularly caught. 8. Lake Monduran Located 20 kilometers north of Gin Gin, Lake Monduran covers over five thousand hectares and is home to catfish, bass, and some of the best barramundi fishing in Australia. In fact, it was the site of the 2010 world record barra catch—a monster that weighed over 44 kilos! Although the dam was devastated by flood events in 2011 and 2013, stocks are slowly being replenished, and anglers are now landing numerous (and sizeable!) fish in a session. Source: www.almactrailers.com.au/news/blog/river-fishing-great-sp...

Looking South East from N0. 1 Ore Shaft, Urquhart Shaft, headframe towards mount Isa township, known as Townside. Foreground are workshops and then on the right is the recreation reserve, tennis courts and swimming pool. The isa Street bridge can be seen as well as the Argent Hotel.

17 MAR LOCAL HISTORY WITH BETTY LAVER – THE BLUE BELL HOTEL Posted at 07:00h in Art & Culture, Lifestyle by News 0 Comments The Bluebell Hotel c1930’s Walter and Robert Cowan came to the Gladstone area around 1859. Walter went into the hotel trade while Robert was more interested in life on the land and initially worked for Robert Bell at Stowe, Calliope. The Blue Bell Hotel was built on the corner of Yarroon Street and China Lane (now Central Lane) and Walter and Sarah Cowan ran this hotel until 1892. It was called the Blue Bell Hotel until 1950 when it was changed to the Ocean View Hotel and in 1999 it became the Port Curtis Hotel. It has since had more name changes. Source: gladstonenews.com.au/local-history-with-betty-laver-the-p...