Marine park zones and designated areas (effective from 21 May 2024)

Grey nurse sharks (Carcharias taurus) congregate at Wolf Rock.

Visit the maps and resources page for zoning and designated area maps.

The following information on zones and designated areas applies from 21 May 2024.

Four zones – effective 21 May 2024

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) manages the Great Sandy Marine Park through the marine park zoning plan. Great Sandy Marine Park is a State marine park. The zoning plan identifies different zones within the marine park and states the objectives for each zone. It lists the entry and use provisions for different activities including those which can occur ‘as of right’ and those for which a permit is required.

Marine national park zones

Marine national park zones afford the greatest level of zoning protection in Great Sandy Marine Park. They are identified on the zoning map as green. ‘Green zones’ are essentially ‘look but don't take’ zones, in which activities such as fishing and collecting are prohibited. No-take activities such as boating, diving and photography are allowed.

Conservation park zone

Conservation park zones, identified on the zoning map as yellow, protect significant marine habitats. Commercial trawling is prohibited in these zones as are most forms of commercial netting and harvest fisheries. Restrictions apply to most other activities conducted in this zone.

Line fishing is limited to two lines or rods and two hooks or lures per person. When trolling, a maximum of two lines or rods with a combined total of two hooks can be used per person. Only four catch devices may be used per person for crabbing.

Conservation park zones aim to provide a high level of protection for marine landscapes. Within the conservation park zone in Baffle Creek, Elliott River, Burrum River system, Great Sandy Strait and Tin Can Inlet, some provisions regarding commercial fishing are different from those in other conservation park zones.

Habitat protection zone

Habitat protection zones are identified on the zoning map as dark blue. They are located over areas that contain sensitive habitats. Most activities are allowed in the habitat protection zones, but trawling is prohibited.

General use zone

The light blue or general use zones aim to provide for conservation while providing opportunities for reasonable use. Most activities are allowed in the zone, but some require a permit.

Eleven designated areas – effective 21 May 2024

Designated areas allow for the management of particular conservation issues and values that occur within specific areas of the marine park. The purpose and provisions of a designated area are in addition to, and equally as important as, the purpose and provisions of the underlying zone.

There are eleven designated areas within the Great Sandy Marine Park.

Go slow areas

There are two types of designated Go slow areas in the Great Sandy Marine Park.

Go slow areas for turtles and dugongs aim to minimise the risk of injury, disturbance or death to these threatened species from, especially in critical feeding and resting areas, from vessel strike.

Go slow areas for natural and cultural resources aim to preserve the natural and cultural resources of the area from damage and create a peaceful and respectful environment for connection to Country.

The rules in both types of go slow areas are the same. When a vessel is being navigated in a go slow area, it must be ‘off the plane’ or at a speed of less than 6 knots, unless within marked navigational channels or defined transit lanes. Keeping vessels off the plane has proven to be an effective method of reducing the frequency of injuries and death to marine wildlife from boat strike. Motorised watersports (for example waterskiing, parasailing, weaving and jumping vessels over waves) are also prohibited in go slow areas.

Fish trap area

The object for the fish trap area is to protect culturally significant sites, for example, areas that contain fish traps, from physical damage and disturbance. Anchoring is prohibited in the area, as is the physical damage, excavation, modification or removal of the fish trap, including any materials used in its construction, and other material making up the substrate from the area. Restrictions do not apply to the Traditional Owners of the fish trap area.

Platypus Bay area

This area covers the most remote inshore area of the marine park adjacent to the Great Sandy National Park and including part of the K’gari (Fraser Island) World Heritage Area and is a critical resting area for several whale species on their migration from and to Antarctica. Motorised watersports (for example waterskiing, parasailing, weaving and jumping vessels over waves) and taking-off and landing in aircraft and helicopters is prohibited, to allow for the appreciation and enjoyment of the natural integrity of the area and maintain its remote natural values.

No-anchoring areas

No-anchoring areas protect sensitive natural and cultural resources that have been, or are being, degraded and are susceptible to damage from the anchoring of vessels or aircraft. Anchoring is prohibited in designated no anchoring areas.

Vulnerable habitats such as seagrass and coral reefs, and culturally sensitive areas in the marine park, are at particular risk from physical damage from anchors. Protecting these areas from anchor damage preserves natural and cultural values, builds resilience of vulnerable habitats and supports recovery of degraded areas.

No-motorised vessel areas

No-motorised vessel areas aim to enhance the protection of cultural values through creating a peaceful and respectful environment for connection to Country by reducing the risk of noise disturbing cultural practices. Prohibiting the use of motorised vessels in the area also reduces the risk of vessel wash causing shoreline erosion and impacting on culturally significant sites, such as middens, that fringe the waterways. Restrictions do not apply to the Traditional Owners of the no-motorised vessel areas.

Grey nurse shark area

The grey nurse shark area aims to protect critically endangered grey nurse sharks and their habitat by minimising harm or distress caused by diving or other human activities. Research undertaken in the area must be relevant to and a priority for the management of the area. Wolf Rock, near Rainbow Beach, is one of only four key aggregation sites for grey nurse sharks in south-east Queensland and is the only known gestation site for the Australian east coast grey nurse shark population. The designated area incorporates the base of Double Island Point, Round Rock and the Pinnacles, being areas of key habitat for the grey nurse shark. Activities are highly regulated in the designated area and restrictions relating to the interference of grey nurse sharks and their habitat apply.

Mon Repos area

This designated area covers the area of beach and inshore habitat where large numbers of marine turtles nest at the internationally significant Mon Repos marine turtle rookery. The objects of the Mon Repos area are to protect turtles and their habitat, minimise harm or distress caused to turtles by human activities or domestic animals and promote education and research about turtles. QPWS manages turtle watching through ticketed beach access.

Foreshore entry and use provisions apply from 15 October to 31 May the next year:

• No public access between 6pm and 6am unless part of a Mon Repos turtle tour.
• Only authorised vehicles can access the foreshore, and only for monitoring purposes.
• Domestic animals must not be brought into or allowed to enter the designated area.
• Only one artificial light (e.g. torch) can be used between 6pm and 6am which cannot be more than 100 lumens. Lights stronger than this can change the ambient light horizons in the area which disturbs marine turtles.

Turtle protection area

The turtle protection area aims to protect marine turtles and their habitat and minimise human impacts including trawling. Trawling is prohibited in the designated area from 1 November of a year to 31 January of the next year, to reduce disturbance and stress to turtles that use this area as inter-nesting habitat, prior to coming ashore to lay their eggs at Mon Repos.

Seasonal shorebird closure areas

Seasonal shorebird closure areas apply at the marine park’s most significant roost sites from 1 March to 30 April and from 1 September to 31 October. Public access is prevented during these critical times, when birds first arrive in the marine park (Sep/Oct), depleted in energy from their long migration and just before they leave the marine park (March/April) so they can gain weight for their return journey to the northern hemisphere. Domestic animals are also prohibited from these areas.

Ex-HMAS Tobruk area

The objects of the Ex-HMAS Tobruk area are to manage and maintain the wreck of the ex-HMAS Tobruk; to provide safe opportunities for public appreciation, understanding and enjoyment of the area; to minimise the damage, disturbance or other interference to the wreck; to minimise harm or distress to marine species; and to minimise disturbance to natural and cultural resources in the area.

Access to the area is limited to persons with prior permission to dive and snorkel in the area or with permission to undertake research that is relevant to and a priority for managing the area or another activity that is beneficial to the natural and cultural resources of the area.

Several dive companies have permission to take divers into the Ex-HMAS Tobruk area. Dive tours can be booked from Hervey Bay or Bundaberg, or people that have their own boat and dive qualifications can book a mooring and dive permit to dive in the area.