For as long as I can remember, the
Poona Family Fishing Competition has been held every year on the Easter Long Weekend. This year kicks off at midnight on Friday 3rd April and concludes on Sunday 5th April at 3.00pm. All weigh-ins are conducted at the
Poona Centenary Hall from 3.00pm to 4.30pm Saturday and Sunday and you must be lined up by 3.00pm to be eligible for the weigh-in.
Peaceful town of Poona on the Cooloola Coast, Queensland
Initially starting off as a small affair, it has now expanded to the number one place to be at
Easter with many families returning year after year and now bringing not only their kids but their grandkids as well.
Delight in a child's eye with her catch of the day
The excitement of the children bringing in their catches to be weighed and watching their faces light up in awe is a delight for parents and visitors alike. Every child enthusiastically trying to outdo their mate's weigh-ins heightens the atmosphere of the competition as you see them running back and forth from beach to land. However, the excitement is not only for the children as the adults delight in their catch and weigh-ins as well and comradeships can become fierce competitors. The senior age group starts from 14 years and over and the juniors fitting in the age group of 14 years and younger.
Competition is fierce for adults as well
Registrations can be made at
Freedom Fishing or
Boaties Warehouse in Maryborough up to and including Wednesday 1st April and after that on Friday at the Poona Boat Ramp or
Maaroom Boat Ramp from 2.30-4.00pm and 2.30-3.30pm respectively. Don't worry if you cannot get to Poona until Saturday as registrations are still open from 6.00-7.00am at the Poona Boat Ramp or 10.00am-Noon and 3.00-4.00pm at the Poona Centenary Hall. Senior registration is $18.00 and Junior is $5.00.
Fun for all the family
Fishing boundaries are from the
Great Sandy Straits at
Kauri Creek in the south to
River Heads and across to
Ungowa in the north including the
Mary River. All fish presented at weigh-ins must be fresh and guttered; however not tampered with in any way. Further conditions for the weekend's competition can be located on their website along with the list of great prizes to be won in each category. Approximately 24 business houses from
Fraser Coast to the
Sunshine Coast are sponsoring the event.
Leaving the boat ramp early
Other fun activities are on the agenda over the weekend for both young and old beginning with Markets on Saturday morning at Market Alley. These are run from 7.00am to Noon, which is not too early if you have had a late night. On Saturday afternoon for only a gold coin, you can try your hand at mullet throwing. Prizes for mullet throwing will be given out during Saturday evening's entertainment. Food, bar, raffles and entertainment is provided on Saturday with live band "
The Lagernauts" and winners for the 2015 Poona Family Fishing Competition will be presented on Sunday evening. An Easter Egg hunt for the children at Market Alley is scheduled for Sunday afternoon.
Mullet throwing is serious busines
Accommodation can be booked at the
Poona Palms Caravan Park which has powered and unpowered sites along with one and three bedroom holiday units.
Fraser Coast Real Estate can also provide options for holiday rental properties or you may prefer to stay in
Maryborough as it is only half an hour's drive away. Other caravan parks close by are situated at
Maaroom and
Boonooroo/Tuan.
Nothing wrong with sitting back and enjoying the events of the day
Any questions can be answered by sending an email through the message portion on the Contact tab on their
website or at enquiries@poonafishing.com You won't want to miss out on a great weekend at Poona.
