If you’re planning on going to Preston Beach to go fishing this weekend, it’ll surely be a memorable trip! Aside from the refreshing sea breeze, scenic views, and the thrilling journey, you’ll surely have your fill if you love fishing.
Preston Beach is a very gorgeous beach that you can reach in just about an hour from Perth. Aside from its reputation as a good fishing spot, it is also perfect for 4WD trips, surfing, and swimming. So, the whole family will be thrilled when you go here!
Here is an overview of the fishing spots at Preston Beach:
- Martins Tank Campground
- Martins Tank Campsite turnoff
- Yalgorup National Park
- Footprints Preston Beach
- Fishing Spot Mandurah
Do you want to go to Preston Beach? Find out all the things that you need to know before heading out in this blog. So, read more below!
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How Do I Get To Preston Beach?
Preston Beach is a tiny town with a few holiday homes and a magnificent beach. It is located at Western Australia, just off the Old Coast Road, between Mandurah and Bunbury in the Yalgorup National Park. It is trendy, and for a very good reason.
- From Perth, it is a mere 1 hour and 20 minutes away get to Preston beach directly via private vehicle or bus or on a train
- Head south down the Kwinana Freeway
- eventually, join onto Forrest highway
- Keep going down past this
- Just after it meets the old coast road, you can turn off to the right
- Drive a few km’s into the town
Where Should I Get The Right Fishing Equipment Before Going To Preston Beach?
- There are a lot of fishing stores in Western Australia that specifically sells angler or hooks for fishing.
- Preston Beach General Store: A bait shop and opens at 7 AM.
- Compleat Angler & Camping Rockingham: the fishing store opens 7 AM
- BCF (Boating Camping Fishing) Mandurah: Fishing store
- Angler’s Fishing world
What Should I Know About Preston Beach?
History
Explorers Dr Alexander Collie and Lieutenant William Preston RN first came across what are now Lakes Preston and Clifton while exploring the coastline between Mandurah and Bunbury in 1829. After the introduction of convicts to the Swan River Colony in the 1850s, the “Old Coast Road” south of Mandurah was rebuilt. For most of its length, the road went through well-timbered, sandy limestone country of little value to agriculture.
The “Preston Beach Estate” was privately developed in 1959, and together with the “Lakeside Estate”, was incorporated as the locality Yalgorup by the request of the local government – the name meaning “place of waters or lakes” in the Noongar language. The townsite was gazetted in 1975. However, in 1989, the name was changed to Preston Beach on request from the Shire of Waroona, as this was the local name for the town.
Preston Beach has basic accommodation and facilities. A couple of roadhouses for passing trucks and motorists are located on Old Coast Road 4 km from the town. A convenience store and service station can be found in the centre of the town. The beach has showers, BBQ facilities, and children’s play facilities.
In 2006 Waroona Shire Council was developing a strategy for development of areas to the north and south of the townsite, which have been identified for urban expansion since the 1990s and secured by land developers. The strategy was expected to be completed in late 2007.
The Yalgorup National Park was established in the 1970s to protect the coastal lakes, swamps and tuart woodland in the area. The area is also central to waterbird migration patterns. At the edge of Lake Clifton, rock-like structures called thrombolites can be seen, built by tiny microorganisms believed to resemble the earliest forms of life on Earth. Scientists have suggested their presence here may be due to upwellings of fresh groundwater high in calcium carbonate. An observation walkway has been constructed to allow visitors to view these fragile structures.
Preston Beach is known for the town’s abundance of Western Grey Kangaroo. Other marsupials that can be found in the area are the Common Brushtail Possum and Bandicoot.[5]
Fishing Spots
Preston Beach is famous for its fishing spots. But there are some campsites that locals and tourists love for its excellent accommodation and its flexible range. Here are the places you may want to check out while having fun at Preston Beach:
- Martins Tank Campground
- Martins Tank Campsite turnoff
- Yalgorup National Park
- Footprints Preston Beach
- Fishing Spot Mandurah
If you want to know more about the area, you can visit their website.
How Can I Catch Fish in Preston Beach?
Preston Beach is a very underrated beach mark. It is a great alternative to fish when Chesil is rough. Using simple running ledgers, or 2/3 hook flappers, baited with worms and squid will produce many fish including, Bass, Whiting, Plaice, Sole, Flounder, Gurnards, Dog fish, Pout. Using your bigger baits here will produce bigger Bass and occasional Rays. During summer months you can catch Mackerel here also.Please take all rubbish and plastic packaging on with you as plastic pollution is a real problem with our seas, and it is affecting the marine life that inhabits it.
What Are The Fishes Found At Preston Beach?
In the crystal clear water, except for swimming, you can also catch a large variety of fishes. These are the following:
- Skippy
- Herring
- Tailor
- Whiting
- Salmon (in season)
What Are The Other Activities Can I Do At Preston Beach?
If you are at Preston Beach, you should do these things or go to these places after fishing…
Do:
- Mandurah Wine Tours
- Go to Vineyard 28
- Visit Cape Bouvard Winery
- Four-wheel driving
- Birdwatching
- Camping
- Surfing
- Swimming
- Bushwalks
See:
- Lake Yalgorup
- Lake Hayward
- Lake Newnham
- Martins Tank Lake
- Lake Preston
- Yalgorup National Park
- Myalup State Forest
- The thrombolites of Lake Clifton
What Do Other Tourists Say About Fishing At Preston Beach?
“We
headed down for a look anyhow, my brother in law and father in law both caught
some nice size chopper on a Saturday morning but by the time I got there the
fish had buggered off. The found a spot a couple of hundred meters to the left
of the car park that didn’t have much weed.
I went for a drive a couple
of km’s south to scope it out, the weed was prevalent, and the track was down
to a single line, but it was easy enough to give way to cars with a bit of care
bugger all room to park up though.
A few of us decided to give
the north a try, and it was much worse. Within a couple of hundred metres, the
track is a choppy single high line with a couple of foot cutaway on the
surfside. It has made for some creative/exciting manoeuvres to give way to
other cars. Once we found a little spot back near town to park, the fishing was
spoiled by heaps and heaps of seaweed too.
At least we caught a couple
and had a heap of fun in the 4×4’s.” –Cale Ginbey (https://www.westernangler.com.au/forum/18-beach-and-rock-fishing-/5807-preston-beach-conditions).
Where Should I Stay in Preston Beach?
If you’re planning to stay for a few days in Preston Beach, you can choose from these places:
- Martins Tank Lake Camp
- Lake Clifton Caravan Park
- Preston Beach Front Apartment
- Clemandtines Vintage Beach Estate
- Hillcrest Views Binningup
- Port Bouvard Retreat
- Lake Brockman Tourist Park
- Mandurah Quay Resort
- Mandurah Caravan and Tourist Park
Related Questions
How Far is Preston Beach From Perth?
The distance between Perth and Preston Beach is 105 km, but through the highway, the total distance is 125.4 kilometres. There are three ways to travel and you can reach it either by train, bus, or car.
Can You Drive On Preston Beach?
Yes! If you have a 4WD vehicle, you can quickly drive straight to Preston Beach. It is a clean and great place to fish. You can drive both north and south and enjoy endlessly on this magnificent beach.
Can You Camp At Tims Thicket?
The licensed 4WD vehicles are allowed to use and roam the beach. Motorbikes, four-wheelers, and dune buggies are strongly prohibited. Toilets are accessible in the area, as well as gas stoves. They require not to bring any fire producing equipment and take all the rubbish with you.
Is Fishing Bag Limit Per Person?
A maximum bag limit per day is 20. It applies to any fish or invertebrates captured. They limit the number of fish per individual angler can catch and keep it within 24 hours.
How Many Rods Do You Need For A Fishing License?
Four rods are the maximum rods or lines you can carry and use per person at a time. If any rods or line were missing, they must have a clear name or address of the owner embedded or a registration number of the boat. Three hooks are the maximum attached in one line.
Can You Drive on Preston Beach?
If you have a four wheel drive, Preston Beach is a great place to visit. You can drive both north and south, and enjoy endless, clean beaches. It is a great place to do a bit of four wheel driving, but the beach can be reasonably soft at times.
