Balgal boat ramp is the southern access for trailer boats who visit the Palms Islands, the nearest island being Havannah Island.
Rollingstone Creek discharges into Halifax Bay, which forms an inlet that all but dries at L.W.S. and can be navigated at M.S.L. (approx. 1.5 m). There is a navigation buoy at the mouth of the creek is this denotes the outer edge of the rock bar. EXTREME CARE care should be taken when navigating in and out of this creek - seek local knowledge where you can. Channel markers are occasionally placed by local boaties. However, the channel can change quickly, particularly following a "big wet".
This aerial shot of the mouth of Rollingstone Creek shows the approximate boating channel.
Fishermans Landing Kiosk supplies ice, bait, tackle, groceries and take away food. Camping sites are available with toilet and shower facilities which are supplied by the Townsville City Council. The boat ramp is a one lane ramp and has a public pontoon nearby. Care should be taken at low water owing to slippery conditions and the ramp ends abruptly! There are no fueling facilities at the ramp, the nearest being about 5km away at the Rollingstone BP service station or at Rosco's Cheap Fuel just north of the Balgal turnoff.
GBRMPA Green Zones
On July 1, 2004, The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) introduced extensive new areas of green zones or "no fishing zones".
There is a large green zone approximately 20km north of Balgal Beach, an area surrounding Cattle Creek, and there are large areas of green zones surrounding the Palm Islands. The attached maps which were taken from GBRMPA's web site (http:\\www.gbrmpa.gov.au)in July 2004:
Rollingstone Creek
Home of a couple of small crocodiles and a few good sized Barramundi. This is a well fished creek as the campers take advantage of the easy access and its proximity to Fishermans Landing for a cooling drink.
Balgal Beach
The beachfront of Balgal and Mystic Sands can be a very productive fishing ground. The best time to fish is at night where a large range of species are available including Grunter, Flathead and Whiting.
Palm Islands
The Palm Islands attract fish and therefore attract anglers. There are 12 islands in the group and all have really good reefs to go after Mackerel and Coral Trout.
