Coomera River - Jabiru Island - Coombabah Creek
by Ross Williamson
Jabiru Island is a small island in the Coomera River which provides convenient access either to the river mouth or for fishing up the river. It is about 50 minutes south of Brisbane. It provides a boat ramp on the southern side of the island or alternatively a nice sandy beach on the eastern side. Both have convenient access from a car-park with plenty of parking. There are also toilets and free push-button BBQ facilities.
Getting there
Take the Pacific Motorway out of Brisbane, heading for the Gold Coast. Take Exit 38 onto Hope Island Road. Continue along this road until it becomes Broadwater Avenue and then Oxley Drive. Turn off on the island into the Phil Hill Environmental Park.
Launching
The boat ramp (A) is corrugated and bounces your kayak around on it's cart. It has a small beach beside it so you can park whilst you finish loading.
The sandy beach (B) under the bridge is accessible via paths from the car park and is gently sloping into the water.
Both offer good launching where you won't interfere with larger boats.
Note (C) there is a rock wall that prevents direct running through here.
Facilities
There are full facilities at the launch site, including car parking for over 40 vehicles and some boat trailer parking. There are free push-button operated electric BBQ's provided by the Gold Coast Council. There are a few picnic tables, rubbish-bin, and toilets.
Comments
Fishing up Salt Water creek is very sheltered from all winds but does have larger boats coming from Hope Island. The river provides reasonably sheltered fishing.