Recreational Reefs

Torquay Artificial Reefs

In June 2015, purpose-built concrete reef modules were installed between Torquay and Breamlea and forms Victoria’s largest ever artificial reef.

In June 2015, purpose-built concrete reef modules were installed between Torquay and Breamlea and forms Victoria’s largest ever artificial reef. The reef consists of 25 modules arranged in 5 clusters on the seafloor. Each concrete module measures more than four metres high and weighs up to 20 tonnes. The site is in 25 metres of water and 3 kilometres offshore.

What makes this reef different is it designed to create variable water currents and upwellings that brings up nutrients to the surface. This process will attract baitfish, which in turn, will attract predatory recreational species such as kingfish.  Each module will create a diverse and complex habitat as algae, sponges and invertebrates attach and colonise the surfaces.

The project was funded by $1,090,000 from recreational fishing licence fees and $410,000 from State Government Initiative funds in one of the biggest fish habitat enhancement projects in Victoria’s history.

The Torquay reefs are named “Rev’s Reef” after Trevor Buck who passed away in 2016. He was a VRFish Board member and outstanding advocate for recreational fishing, the environment and fish habitat.

Torquay Reef Coordinates
138˚ 19.828′ S144˚ 22.500′ E
238˚ 19.942′ S144˚ 22.600′ E
338˚ 20.184′ S144˚ 22.320′ E
438˚ 20.065′ S144˚ 22.225′ E

Port Phillip Bay Artificial Reefs

In May 2009, three artificial reefs were installed in a depth of 11 metres, approximately two kilometres off shore from Aspendale, Seaford and Frankston.

Aspendale (Rec Reef)

Rec Reef Coordinates
138˚ 02.152′ S145˚ 04.616′ E
238˚ 02.168′ S145˚ 04.636′ E
338˚ 02.184′ S145˚ 04.615′ E
438˚ 02.167′ S145˚ 04.596′ E

Seaford (Tedesco Reef)

Tedsco Reef Coordinates
138˚ 05.229′ S145˚ 05.954′ E
238˚ 05.246′ S145˚ 05.974′ E
338˚ 05.261′ S145˚ 05.953′ E
438˚ 05.245′ S145˚ 05.934′ E

Frankston (Yakka Reef)

Yakka Reef Coordinates
138˚ 08.467′ S145˚ 05.480′ E
238˚ 08.483′ S145˚ 05.500′ E
338˚ 08.499′ S145˚ 05.479′ E
438˚ 08.482′ S145˚ 05.459′ E

In 2012, after the success of the artificial reefs for boat-based recreational anglers, three new shore-based reefs were created in a water depth of approximately 3 – 4.5 metres.

Frankston Pier

Approximately 40 metres seaward of Frankston Pier.

Portarlington Pier
Approximately 40 to 70 metres seaward of Portarlington Pier’s rock-wall section.

Altona Pier
At the end of the Altona Pier.

East Gippsland Artificial Reefs

In 2014, eight new artificial recreational fishing reefs were established in East Gippsland. The reefs are spread across three major estuaries which are popular amongst anglers.

Gippsland Lakes Metung

 Metung Reef Coordinates
137˚ 53.008’S147 ˚ 51.632’ E
237˚ 53.112’S147 ˚ 51.629’E
337 ˚ 53.133′ S147 ˚ 51.616′ E

Nungurner

Nungurner Reef Coordinates
137˚ 53.112’S147 ˚ 53.404’ E
237˚ 53.119’S147 ˚ 53.380’E
337 ˚ 53.153′ S147 ˚ 53.370′ E

Lake Tyers Mill Point

Mill Point Reef Coordinates
137˚ 50.080’S148 ˚ 04.802’ E
237˚ 50.080’S148 ˚ 04.818’E
337 ˚ 50.095′ S148 ˚ 04.809′ E

Glass House

Glass House Reef Coordinates
137˚ 50.683’S148 ˚ 06.457’ E
237˚ 50.695’S148 ˚ 06.449’E
337 ˚ 50.706′ S148 ˚ 06.441′ E

Bath House

Bath House Reef Coordinates
137˚ 50.545’S148 ˚ 05.517’ E
237˚ 50.553’S148 ˚ 05.533’E
337 ˚ 50.545′ S148 ˚ 05.548′ E

Hendries

Hendries Reef Coordinates
137˚ 50.576’S148 ˚ 04.842’ E
237˚ 50.577’S148 ˚ 04.861’E
337 ˚ 50.509′ S148 ˚ 04.876′ E

Mallacoota Inlet North Goodwin

North Goodwin Reef Coordinates
137˚ 31.169′ S149˚ 47.079′ E
237˚ 31.193′ S149˚ 47.069 ‘ E
337˚ 31.209′ S149˚ 47.050′ E
437˚ 31.216′ S149˚ 47.076′ E

South Goodwin

South Goodwin Reef Coordinates
137˚ 31.883’S149 ˚ 45.776’ E
237˚ 31.894’S149 ˚ 45.796’E
337 ˚ 31.896′ S149 ˚ 45.820′ E

Geelong Rocky Recreational Reefs

In 2021, the construction of the rocky reefs in Corio Bay and the Geelong Arm was completed by the Victorian Fisheries Authority. The new recreational fishing reefs have been constructed at Outer Harbour, St Helens and Kirk Point.

St. Helens Reef will be called Merv’s Reef, named after the late Merv McGuire who was a former Executive Officer of VRFish. Kirk Point’s reef will be called Wilson Reef, named after Geelong fishing legend and writer Geoff Wilson.

Merv’s Reef (St. Helens)38° 07.228’144° 21.658’
Moolap Reef (Outer Harbour)38° 06.374’144° 28.581’
Wilson’s Reef (Kirks Point)38° 03.436’144° 36.588’

Subscribe to our mailing list

Join our 50,000+ subscribers in receiving our Fishing Lines News delivered straight to your inbox. Don’t miss out on all the issues affecting your fishing, projects improving your fishing and opportunities to have your say about your fishery.

* indicates required
Communication Preferences (tick all that apply)