Boat Ramps - Hervey Bay.

General Information

Population: 50,000 +

Situated at the southern end of Hervey Bay, the City of Hervey Bay ("the Bay") is the ideal fishing destination. Being protected from the prevailing south east winds by World Heritage listed Fraser Island there is always somewhere that the keen angler can find to cast a line. The Bay enjoys a weather style that is "perfect one day and better the next", with most days being in the better category. This City is unique in that most types of recreational angling enjoyed by anglers are available within a very short distance. Big Game Fishing, Sport fishing, Reef Fishing, Fly fishing, General Boating or just plain dangling a line to name but a few, are available all year round.
Hervey Bay Visitors web site. http://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/visitors/index.shtml

How to get here

Situated some 300 km from Brisbane, a 3 1/2 hour leisurely drive up the Bruce Highway from Brisbane turning off at MARYBOROUGH will have you in the "Bay". If coming from the north turn off at Howard or Torbanlea. Airlines operate into Hervey Bay daily with a 40 minute flight from Brisbane and direct jet flights from Sydney and Melbourne. Coaches arrive daily from both the north and south.

Fishing Facilities

All facilities to allow you to enjoy the fishing experience are located in the Bay. Numerous tackle shops, boat yards, ice, fuel - you name it, it is available. There are a number of Boat ramps situated along the foreshore. The ramp at the Boat Harbour is an all weather all tide ramp with disabled persons access.

Accommodation

All styles of accommodation are catered for. From 4 1/2 star resorts to back packer hostels, camping areas and many caravan parks, some of which are situated on the beautiful tree-lined foreshore.

Shopping Facilities

Being a regional city Hervey Bay has four shopping malls with department stores and large grocery stores, as well as numerous strip shopping centres. There are many shops to suit all tastes, especially for those members of the party who do not go fishing.

Entertainment

After that hard but enjoyable days fishing there are any number of establishments in which to relax. Restaurants, cinemas, night clubs, hotels, sporting clubs with dining facilities; or just go fishing again.

Gatakers Bay Public Ramp

Single Lane. Ramp exposed at high tide to swells and waves which can be difficult even dangerous to persons and boats. Ramp much higher than surrounding beach causes awkward launch and especially retrieval.Low tide unusable due to shallow sand flats. Good ramp at mid tide.
Facilities:

Rubbish bins.
Taps (Bring own connector -large size- for hose).
Well lit at night.

Car and trailer parking – Acceptable.

Rating:

Gatakers Public 1 Gatkaers Public 2 Gatkaers Public 3

Scarness Boat Ramp

Single Lane. Ramp exposed at high tide to some swells and waves although usually more sheltered than Gables boat ramp. Ramp much higher than surrounding beach causes awkward launch and especially retrieval.After tide drops below the end of the ramp it is usual to access the beach for beach launch and retrieval.Gives access to middle parts of Hervey Bay including Scarness, Pialba and Torquay reefs, and the sheltered waters inside the sand bar for other pursuits such as sailing, skiing and tobogganing.
Car and trailer parking – Acceptable.

Facilities

Rubbish bins.
Well lit at night.

Rating:

Scarness High Tide Scarness Low Tide

Gables Boat Ramp

Single Lane. Ramp exposed all tide to prevailing SE-NE winds and waves which can be difficult even dangerous to persons and boats. Unusable at low tide due to shallow sand flats.
Car and trailer parking – Acceptable.

Facilities.

Rubbish bins.
Taps [Bring own connector [large size] for hose].
Well lit at night.

Rating:

Gables 1 Gables 2

Gables Parking

Torquay Boat Ramp

Single Lane. Has side access ramp to beach. Ramp exposed at high tide to some swells and waves although usually more sheltered than Gables boat ramp. Ramp much higher than surrounding beach causes awkward launch and especially retrieval.

After tide drops below the end of the ramp it is usual to access the beach for beach launch and retrieval. Beach launch and retrieval is possible at low tide due to shallow sand flats although water is present for a longer period of the tide than at Scarness.Gives access to middle parts of Hervey Bay including Scarness, Pialba and Torquay reefs, and the sheltered waters inside the sand bar for other pursuits such as sailing, skiing and tobogganing.

Car and trailer parking – Good.

Facilities

Rubbish bins.
Well lit at night.

Rating:

Torquay Torquay2

Torquay 3 Torquay 4

Boat Harbour Public Boat Ramps Urangan

Department of Transport Twin ramps of 4 lanes each although 3 is usually the maximum number due to inexperienced launch and retrieval. Mooring pontoon adjacent to northern [left] ramp but not direct queuing pontoon i.e. must drive boat from pontoon to ramp.Some queuing beach available between the two ramps but the larger rocks around the ramps can be dangerous to boats and people.Gives access for all sized boats to Hervey Bay and Great Sandy Strait including Fraser Island, Woody Island, Round Island, the Picnic Islands, Little Woody Island, the beacons and Platypus Bay.

Car and trailer parking – Excellent.

Facilities