Stradbroke Island Heli Fishing

Stradbroke Island Heli Fishing

Where can you fish for your own breakfast on a remote island and still be back in the CBD by 11:00am? It is possible!

Stradbroke Island, (Minjerribah) just off the coast of Brisbane is home to the Quandamooka people. The Quandamooka have lived in the area for tens of thousands of years. 

Go Fish Australia have teamed up with Pulan Pulan Fisheries and Cultural Tours to deliver this brand-new Aboriginal Fishing Experience which takes place on stunning Minjerribah (Stradbroke Island) in Queensland's southeast region, just off the coast of Brisbane. After travelling via helicopter to Minjerribah, meet local Quandamooka Traditional Owner, Andrew Watego, who will be your guide for a beach fishing experience like no other.  Follow the scent of the woodfire on the beach as he cooks eugaries (pippies) ready to eat thus beginning your fishing experience.  Allow this Quandamooka Elder to slowly reveal the land and sea of his ancestors as he teaches you how to fish and how to read the flora, fauna and sea life for clues as to what's biting.

Experience Highlights

• Private Experience
• Traditional Owner Indigenous fishing guide
• Learn how to source live bait directly from the ocean
• Fishing tuition 

Learn how to catch fresh bait, such as yabbies, beach worms, bloodworms and pipis (or eugaries as they are traditionally known on Quandamooka Country). Your fishing equipment will then be ready to cast into the surf for around 3 hours of fishing whilst learning from your personal indigenous fishing guide and Quandamooka Elder.

Your catch could include flathead, whiting, bream, tailor, mullet or dart and you are welcome to take them home to cook, but it is recommended you return the fish to the sea.

Then, it's back to the helicopter for the short flight home.

Your Indigenous fishing experience guide is Traditional Owner Andrew Watego. Andrew has fished North Stradbroke and Moreton Islands since he could hold a rod and reel. In that time, he has also been involved with club fishing at the highest level, recreational fishing with family and friends and commercial fishing.  

His love of the saltwater around these two great islands comes from his ancestors and the information passed down over many years. Minjerribah (Stradbroke Island) and Mulgumpin (Moreton Island) have been home to his people for more than 18,000 years. 

Andrew still loves sitting with the old people and listening so he can share that knowledge with others.

About your Guide

Andrew Watego is a proud descendant of the Ngugi (Moreton) Goenpul (Amity) Tribes and the founder and owner-operator of Pulan Pulan Fisheries and Cultural Tours. Pulan Pulan is the indigenous name for Amity Point, an area on Minjerribah.

Andrew's grandmother and mother's family started commercial fishing in Moreton Bay in the 1830s and there are still many of her descendants fishing the bay today.  My father's family, the Watego's, came from Byron Bay in NSW where she was born and schooled. My father was actually born inside the Byron Bay lighthouse. He was always just like a lighthouse, always guiding people to a safe passage and ever since my father passed away in 2011, I have taken that role.

Andrew has fished North Stradbroke and Moreton Islands since he could hold a rod and reel. In that time he has also been involved with club fishing at the highest level, recreational fishing with family and friends, and commercial fishing.  He is 
always happy to share his knowledge

His love of the saltwater around these two great islands comes from his ancestors and the information passed down over many years. Minjerribah (Stradbroke Island ) and Mulgumpin (Moreton Island) is a place that has been home to his people for more than 18,000 years. They, like people today, had to adapt to the changes of climate and rising water levels. Andrew still loves sitting with the old people and listening when they share their knowledge so he can share that knowledge with others.