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KING ASH BAY 2026

Huxstang

By Huxstang
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Huxstang Proficient

Huxstang

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If anyone is interested in a trip to King Ash Bay in 2026 just let me know.  I have booked for 2025 already and basically you need to book well in advance if you want accomodation.  I know some people are booked for 4 years in advance.

October is the peak month late in the year.

Accomodation options are King Ash Bay Lodge - nice and simple as you can either stay in and cook or wander down the the Groper Bar and have a meal and drinks - food is good an reasonably priced as is the drinks.

We stayed in the separate unit which accomodates 3 people (a bit cramped).  The Lodge itself is 4 shared rooms with single beds, a back deck, pool table, kitchen freezers etc.

There are also the Cabins run by Borooloola House Boats.  Dont know much about it other than dongers with a BBQ out the front.  May have separate showers etc or shared.

Downside to staying at KAB is the run down the river which is 32km however in October I expect barra will be further up the river not concentrated down the mouth like November so probably fish and crab closer to camp.   

The Carrington Channel turn is close to the club so it is handy if you like to split up.

Another option is the House Boats - I think last time I checked is $140 a night per person and there are a few that start at 4-6 berth and go up.  No idea on availability.  They go up to 12 berth for larger groups.  

Positive, moor it down river and save yourself at least 20km running each day.  You can anchor up in any of the 3 major arms of the river.  Means you can go out and come back in for a break in the AC when you want.

Downside of course is you need to bring all your food and drinks and boat fuel with you.

Third Option which I have not investigated but looks awesome is Wyibi Lodge out on north island.  Same issue as the house boat with food, fuel etc but opens up your fishing options as the islands get a lot less fishing pressure and the reef areas become much more accessible.

I do believe the owner has a barge that can bring drums of fuel out which relieves some issues there.  No AC its a bit more simplistic.  Can ask on price if anyone is interested.

 

So if you have a boat and a fishing mate, I am happy to make the inquiries on availability once I have an idea on general numbers.  Once its a confirmed booking though you are up for the cost if you cancel.

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Huxstang Proficient

Huxstang

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No rush I will email Kate and see what 2026 looks like for dates anyway an report back.

All I know is that it is that huge place where you get out of it what you put in.   The boys just put up their latest podcast (Guys in the Gulf “Bull and Barra” on Yountube where we got quite a few mentions.   Talking with mate Hans about their suprise about us hitting islands for barra and realised its our default from Brisbane…always heading wife away from where people are to get into the fish.  

Next year will be different being Oct, where fish are more likely in river.  

Also hoping to get some good marks in for reefies.  We only got baby trout on the rocks but clearly there are bigger fish to be caught.   

 

Such an amazing place to fish and its 99% bitumen to get there (and a few decent steaks and beers along the way).

 

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Huxstang

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I’ll see what is available Oct/Nov 2026.  So we talking maybe 6?  I will have two or 3.

With regards length of time away, the travel up and back is really the highest cost - we used 900l of diesel in my cruiser.  So the longer you spend at KAB the more you spread the cost out.  Next year I am booked for 8 days which is 7 days fishing.  That is the absolute minimum time.  I reckon 10 days up there would be ideal as you can actually have a few slow days or just come in early and not flog yourself as hard as we did for the 6 days.

Reality is it takes a few days to get yourself sorted with how you are fishing.  And these are massive waterways…best example is that KAB is Brisbane CBD and you are heading over to Moreton to go to the reef or turning off and heading down to Cleveland if you were going to Sharker Point.  Thats the sort of distances you can travel.   The club to the gulf is pretty much 32km regardless of where you head to, and then its 30km to the top of the islands after that.  There are 3 main tributories - the Macarthur itself, Carrington Channel (didnt go that way but its how you go out to west island), and Crooked Creek.   We didnt spend enough time in Crooked, I reckon Sept/Oct it would really fire, much narrower and lots of little drains etc.

Its a 3 day drive up from Brisbane….we did 4 days and spent too much time sitting around a hotel room….and the heat wave when we were going up meant the AC in the car was the place I would prefer to be, not sitting outside.

Leave Bris early (like 4am) and just over 1000km to Barcaldine.  Get in before 5pm even with a couple of breaks.  Then Barcy to Camooweal then Camoo into King Ash Bay.

 

Found this last night, tour of one of the house boats.   I didnt know it had a fuel bowser on board which is bloody handy….not exactly luxury afloat but its a shower/loo/ air con, bed and freezers.   

 

 

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