From wild surf beaches on the Shipwreck Coast to the calm coves of the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria’s coastline offers a huge variety of land-based fishing opportunities. Whether you’re casting pilchards into the surf for Australian salmon or soaking baits for flathead in the shallows, beach fishing in Victoria is as rewarding as it is accessible. In this guide, we’ll break down the top locations across the state, offer practical tips to improve your success, and show you how to fish smarter using tide timing.
Victoria’s beaches are not only scenic but also incredibly rewarding for anglers. With hundreds of kilometres of coastline—from quiet bays to powerful surf zones—beach fishing here is as diverse as it is accessible. Many spots offer easy access via car parks or coastal tracks, and the wide range of conditions means there’s something for every angler, whether you prefer calm family-friendly beaches or wild surf gutters.
What makes Victoria stand out is the sheer variety of fishing environments across its extensive coastline:
Remote Access: Along stretches like the Ninety Mile Beach and the far reaches of the Great Ocean Road, you’ll find windswept, uncrowded beaches with deep gutters and long casting potential—perfect for chasing salmon and tailor.
Accessible Options: Just minutes from the city, places like Altona, St Kilda, and Mornington offer excellent land-based fishing for flathead, pinkies, and whiting without needing a boat or long hike.
Species Variety: From silver trevally and snapper in the bays to Australian salmon, gummy sharks, and elephant fish in the surf—Victoria’s coastline produces year-round action for bait and lure anglers alike.
Tasmania’s varied coastline means beach anglers can explore a wide range of fishing environments — from surf-pounded west coast beaches to calm northern bays and the fish-rich stretches of the east coast. Each region has its own mix of habitats, target species, and conditions, so wherever you’re based, there’s a productive patch of sand not too far away.
Located on the back beach of the Mornington Peninsula, Gunnamatta is a powerful, surf-exposed beach that’s popular with experienced anglers targeting salmon, tailor, and even gummy sharks. The beach features prominent gutters and deep drop-offs that fish well on a rising tide, especially during early morning and late evening sessions. While conditions can be rough, the rewards are worth it for those confident fishing heavy surf.
Venus Bay is one of Victoria’s most consistent surf fishing destinations, with five access beaches and kilometres of productive water. It’s known for big schools of Australian salmon in the cooler months and the occasional gummy shark or mulloway after dark. The surf is usually manageable, making it a good option for both seasoned and intermediate beach anglers.
Stretching more than 150 km between Seaspray and Lakes Entrance, Ninety Mile Beach offers vast surf zones with minimal fishing pressure. It’s ideal for mobile anglers willing to move and scout for active gutters. You’ll often encounter salmon, tailor, and flathead, with the added chance of elephant fish and sharks during summer and autumn.
Johanna Beach, west of Apollo Bay, is a remote and dramatic surf beach popular with both surfers and anglers. It produces quality fish but can be challenging due to strong rips and unpredictable swell. For anglers who time it right, the gutters here regularly produce large salmon and even bronze whalers during summer evenings.
Fishing from the beach in Victoria can be incredibly productive, but conditions often demand the right equipment and a safety-first mindset. Powerful surf, shifting sandbanks, and fast-moving weather systems are all part of the experience. A solid beach rod, high-capacity reel, and well-weighted rigs are essential for casting beyond the breakers, while proper footwear, sun protection, and knowledge of local tides help keep you safe. Whether you’re fishing remote surf beaches or urban foreshore zones, being prepared ensures both success and safety.
On many of Victoria’s surf beaches, especially along the Great Ocean Road and Bass Coast, the most productive fishing often happens during the last two hours of a rising tide. Walk the beach at low tide to identify deeper gutters and structure, then return when the water is pushing in—fish will follow the tide up into these zones.
Fishing from the beach might look simple, but success often comes down to timing, technique, and reading the conditions. Victoria’s beaches are dynamic environments, shaped by tides, swell, and seasonal fish movements. Whether you’re targeting salmon in heavy surf or flathead in a calm bay, these tips will help you get the most out of your next session.
Scan the water for deeper gutters, sandbanks, and rips—these features concentrate bait and attract predatory fish. Darker water usually indicates depth, while whitewash breaking consistently in the same spot often means shallow ground.
Use heavier sinkers and longer rods on high-energy surf beaches like Gunnamatta or Johanna, and scale down for calmer bays like Altona or Eastern Beach. Being able to adapt on the day makes a big difference.
In Victoria, the last two hours of the incoming tide and the first hour of the outgoing tide are often most productive. Fish move up with the tide to feed in newly covered areas, especially near gutters and rocky patches.
Don’t sit in one spot all day if you’re not getting bites. Move along the beach, recast into different water, and change baits or lures. Small changes in approach can lead to better results.
Onshore winds stir up food and bring fish closer to the beach, but they can also make casting difficult. Light offshore winds often bring clear water and calmer conditions—ideal for targeting whiting and flathead.
Always pack a second pre-rigged rod if you have one. On busy beaches or during hot bites (especially salmon runs), having a spare rod ready saves time and keeps you in the strike zone instead of re-rigging while the school moves on.
Affiliate Disclosure: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, We earn from qualifying purchases. Your support helps us keep this site running—thank you!
