Holiday Destination: Woodgate
Wayne Kampe
FRESH from dodging coconuts up at Moore Park, Scott and I were doing the tourist bit with the rods in the back of the car when we turned into Woodgate at about five in the evening. We had that enjoyable feeling of anticipation that anglers always get when they arrive at a new fishing destination. No doubt you know the feeling.
Just as we turned into the waterside esplanade, a large fat and obviously unconcerned grey kangaroo hopped straight into our path as it crossed from the waterside verge to feed on a well watered lawn across the road. Brakes locked - smoking tyres and all - we just missed the misguided macropod by a millisecond.
Two cold drinks and a short spell later we were advised by the proprietor of the nearby Barkala Caravan Park that well, yes, roos were a bit of a problem at times, but the idea is to just look out for them. Look out? Crikey, there were so many about that we saw them everywhere except in the water. If there was a jetty in town, you could have bet that a couple would have been out there as well!
GETTING THERE
Woodgate, resident roos and all, is a very neat little seaside township some 37km east of the town of Childers which is situated on the Bruce Highway roughly halfway between Gin Gin and Maryborough.
As Woodgate is a noted regional fishing and holiday location, there are ample directional signs to point the way once you enter Childers. In practical terms, it's roughly due east. Note, too, that visitors at Bundaberg, east of Gin Gin, can take the Goodwood turn off on the Bundaberg-Childers Road, and then it's only some 18 kays to Woodgate.
THE ATTRACTIONS
Probably best known more for very large whiting than very large kangaroos, this noted fishing and tourist destination has its band of regular devotees that travel from afar to enjoy the seaside atmosphere and sample the fishing. During winter there are lot of vehicles with Victorian and New South Wales number plates moving about the esplanade and streets.
That said, Woodgate is really more than just a good fishing location. It's a staging point before entering the Burrum Coast National Park, and many visitors make their way to the area to enjoy the quiet solitude of this coastal national park.
WALKERS POINT LAUNCHING RAMP
Because Woodgate is located well within the sheltered protection of Fraser Island to the east, most boaters will enjoy some fairly quiet conditions when launching at nearby Walkers Point boat ramp south of town. The ramp, accessed via Twelfth Avenue on the southern end of town, is around 10 minutes driving time away. It's wide, not too steep, and is free of slime and slippery stuff. While I might have seen better boat ramps, I most certainly have seen worse! One thing is certain - it's a quite sheltered launching area, and as long as you make the best of high tide, even launching a large boat should not be much of a drama.
Another boat ramp is located on the main esplanade not far from the Beach Hotel/Motel. As this ramp is quite exposed to prevailing easterly winds, I'd see it as a calm weather proposition at best. Low tide and some chop would not make for happy launching or boat retrieval, that's for sure.
Mud crabs, whiting, flathead, bream, mackerel (off shore a little), and quality reef fish from the artificial reef not far out to sea are what you can expect to find on the end of the line.
NO NEED FOR A BOAT
Happily, visitors do not need a boat to fish at this locality, and I took the opportunity to take a photo of a happy young angler proudly displaying a flathead taken while fishing beside the Walker's Point ramp. What's more, he reckoned he'd just lost a larger one!
Beach fishing is a major attraction throughout the area. With its white sand, gentle shelving disposition, and picturesque fringe of shade trees, the beach at Woodgate is very enticing. With a gentle onshore chop and a rising tide on dusk, you’ve got the recipe for whiting fishing. Throw in the fact that both yabbies (pink nippers) and worms are available in the area, and the general picture of a useful beach and estuary fishing scene starts to take shape.
THE INFRASTRUCTURE
Remember that this is a small town. While visitors are able to purchase food and enjoy a meal at the bowls club or at the Beach Hotel/Motel, some other facilities are somewhat limited. The general store does sell some tackle and bait, and the folk there are quite helpful.
CAMPING AREAS
The main camping grounds are at the Barkala Caravan Park and general store. Set in spacious grounds with ample trees to provide shade, this camping ground provides 119 sites (both powered and un powered) with 14 fourteen cabins on hand as well. Bitumen roads, plenty of grass (albeit with a few roos feeding here and there) and a relaxed atmosphere were part of the Barkala experience, but be warned - this is one very popular venue during holiday times (and, to some degree, during winter) and if you are planning a visit it pays to book early to secure a site.
For the more adventurous there are 16 camp sites available at the National Park camping grounds located around 8km south on the Walkers Point Road. The camping area is easily located and, in common with many such venues, offers fairly basic camping but in a nice coastal bush setting. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended to access the camp grounds, as soft sand can be a problem in dry weather.
Of course, the Beach Hotel/Motel can also offer accommodation, and should other holiday accommodation be desired, a call to Woodgate Real Estate on (07) 4126 8000 would not go astray.
AN OVERVIEW
In all, the visitor will find Woodgate a very pleasant spot for a leisurely stay. It's neat, tidy, has clean beaches, fish when conditions are good, and plenty of roos if you like the critters. People are very friendly and I didn’t notice any sand flies.
Remember though, that like many such coastal fishing spots, success can depend on the weather, and strong onshore winds can make fishing a bit difficult. That said, I still reckon those big whiting and the muddies, jacks, and flathead in the nearby Theodolite Creek and Burrum River are strong enough draw cards to lure anglers back for another visit.
ACCOMMODATION
Barkala Caravan Park and Camp Grounds - (07) 4126 8802
Beach Hotel/Motel - (07) 4126 8988
Woodgate Real Estate - (07) 4126 8000
