Flying Fish Point

Flying Fish Point combines a three-kilometre beach with a location on the Johnstone River and the Coral Sea. Flying Fish Point is considered a rural town and holiday destination. This gives you several specific points to consider when planning your trip: you may be interested in the beach, want to explore the river mouth, or take the different fishing opportunities into account. The waterscape is not just a single stretch of coast, but also includes the river and its mouth.

Beach, river and sea

Flying Fish Point Beach is 3 km long. Flying Fish Point is also located where the Coral Sea meets the Johnstone River. The river flows into the sea at Gladys Inlet. To get your bearings, it helps to distinguish between these features: the beach is a landmark in its own right, while Gladys Inlet is the name of the river mouth.

Different types of fishing are also mentioned for different bodies of water: river, estuary and reef fishing are possible in Flying Fish Point. If fishing is one of your travel interests, you can consider these three types as different areas of focus. The beach, river mouth and reef fishing each represent a different connection to the water; they should not be combined into a single experience. This makes it easier to assess Flying Fish Point in terms of the interests that matter for your trip.

Getting there and finding your way around

A road runs from Innisfail along the river’s north bank, past Coconut Bay and on to Flying Fish Point. The route is easy to follow from the sequence described: it starts in Innisfail, then runs along the river’s northern bank and continues past Coconut Bay to the town.

Another clearly identified landmark is the Flying Fish Point Boat Ramp, located in Flying Fish Point; it is owned by TMR. When choosing a holiday destination, you can consider both the town’s waterside location and this local landmark.

A place with a history

The name Flying Fish Point comes from explorer George Dalrymple, who named the town in 1873 after the expedition cutter “Flying Fish”. The name thus recalls a specific vessel associated with the expedition. Another historical reference concerns the site itself: the government took it over for pilotage purposes around 1883. The approximate year is important; it does not specify an exact date for the takeover.

These two dates tell different aspects of the town’s history. 1873 refers to Dalrymple naming the town, while around 1883 refers to the takeover of the site for pilotage purposes. Together, they provide a brief historical overview without conflating the two events.

Accommodation and your stay

Flying Fish Point Tourist Park offers powered and unpowered sites, air-conditioned cabins and villas, as well as budget accommodation. There is also a ground-level swimming pool. If you are looking for accommodation in Flying Fish Point, these are specific options and features offered by the Tourist Park. The options range from sites to cabins and villas; when planning, you can consider which type of accommodation suits your trip.

The pool complements the listed accommodation options as a separate facility at the park. You can also choose where to stay based on the interests that bring you to Flying Fish Point: for example, the 3 km-long beach, its location between the Coral Sea and the Johnstone River, or the types of fishing mentioned. This keeps the choice of where to stay connected to the question of suitable accommodation, without assuming that one type of accommodation is right for every trip.

Discover other places

More destinations: Red Hill, Twin Waters, Bargara, Kedron, Shute Harbour, Wyberba, Lake Eacham and Biloela.

View the broader travel overview: Queensland.