DevDiary: Where Rivers Meet Mangroves

05 Nov 2026Developer post

Source: Steam Community (opens in a new tab)

Hey Anglers,

For many of us, Australia brings to mind a world waiting to be discovered. Somewhere truly special, a place we dream of visiting but haven’t yet had the chance to explore.

We wanted to give this corner of the world the attention it deserves. That’s why our Australian journey will take us to two different locations, and they’re just the beginning of something bigger. We’ve never done anything quite like this before, so let’s dive into our first DevDiary and discover what awaits at Cassowary Coast, Queensland, Australia!

Choosing a name for a waterway is part of discovering a place. We always spend time exploring its geography, nature, and culture, looking for something that captures its character. Sometimes, a real name already tells the story, as with Dnipro River in Ukraine or Emerald Lake in the USA. Other times, we create a name that doesn’t exist, but feels like native to the region.

Australia gave us a different challenge: finding a name for a place where freshwater flows toward the sea, connecting two fishing worlds. A river could tell only half the story. A coast gave us room for both.

And there it was: Cassowary Coast, already on the map, right in the region that inspired our new waterway. The more we learned about it, the more it felt like home for the adventure we were creating.

[Photo by Lolame via Pixabay]

The cassowary is an extraordinary local bird, one of the largest on Earth, with a striking appearance and a presence that demands respect. It can be dangerous, but there’s something endearing and cute about it.

Two Waterways in One

As we mentioned earlier, Cassowary Coast will bring two distinct areas together in one location: the River Area and the Estuary Area. What makes this release special is that each area will unlock at a different player level. You’ll explore one area when you first arrive, then return to discover the other as you level up. In that sense, Cassowary Coast is really two waterways in one, and you’ll get to experience the excitement of unlocking it twice!

Let’s start exploring from the River Area.

Timberbank Station and Old Jetty

Timberbank Station once served as a relay point for people carrying mail and supplies to remote settlements, offering a place to rest and squeeze in some fishing before moving on. Today, anglers from around the world come here to explore the river channels by boat and search for promising spots.

The river is huge. You will have plenty of places to cast your line, troll in a boat or kayak and enjoy the beautiful views. You can get to Old Jetty, the other spot of the River Area, by boat from the Timberbank Station or just start the game from here. This small island once served as a base for local fishermen, who built several wooden jetties and platforms along the shore to make the most of its excellent fishing spots. You can fish from one of the docks here and enjoy the serenity of a peaceful fishing morning.

Explorers Bay and Mangrove Marina

Mangrove Marina is a place where local anglers keep their boats and prepare for trips into the Estuary. Its piers provide easy access to the winding channels between the mangrove-covered banks, with plenty more water to explore by boat. Freshwater and saltwater habitats come together here, creating fishing grounds with an impressive variety of species. Follow the channels deeper into the estuary, and you’ll find plenty of promising places to cast along the way.

Explorers Bay was once a stopping point for travelers and sailors passing through these waters. Today, a small campsite on its white-sand beach gives visitors a place to settle in and enjoy the tropical coast. Nearby sandbars offer a chance to spot some of Australia’s native birds, making the bay a popular stop for birdwatchers as well. Anglers can make use of the open beach too, with plenty of shoreline available for casting.

New Boats

This location offers more than a mix of freshwater and saltwater fishing, it also gives you several ways to explore. Bring your own boat, rent one on site, or do both. For the first time, you’ll see your own boat and your rental side by side at the boat spawn points, so you can switch between them whenever you like.

Let’s take a look at what you’ll have to choose from.

RiverBattler™ Boat

It's an old-school motorboat equipped with a well-worn echo sounder on board. A true veteran of the water, it has made it through years of demanding fishing on Australian rivers and still remains sturdy enough to carry you on your next fishing trip through these waters.

Even when you have your kayak with you, you’ll be able to rent the RiverBattler™ any time.

Interceptor™ Pedal Kayak

It’s a true universal soldier on the water! Its versatile arsenal lets you choose your approach: spin, cast, troll with the rod holders, or set them up with feeder or bottom rods. Pedaling won’t drain your stamina, while the Echo Sounder will help you locate fish and increase your haul. With so many tactics at your command, you can adapt your technique on the go and make the most of every fishing mission.

Crux™ Boat

It is a sports boat with everything a crew of two needs for a great day of fishing. Along with all the essential equipment, it features four rod holders, giving each angler two to work with. With support for all rod types, you can freely switch between fishing techniques and make the most of your time on the water. This boat is always available for rent for any angler at Mangrove Marina.

Centaurus™ Boat

Set your course for a five-star fishing adventure aboard Centaurus™ boat! This sports vessel is designed for one captain and two crew members to enjoy Fishing Together. To make the most of every trip, Centaurus™ will feature top-notch devices like Sonar, Fish Finder 360, GPS and a spacious in-built Fish Storage. Six rod holders, two for each angler on board, will support all rod types and give you the freedom to switch between spinning, casting, trolling, and bottom fishing. Throw in extra bonus XP and cash for every catch, and you’ve got yourself the perfect fishing mate!

Fishing Together Comes to Freshwater Locations

Yes, you heard that right! With this release, you’ll be able to start a Fishing Together session in the Cassowary Coast Estuary or head to one of several freshwater locations already existent in the game.

Just choose a waterway from the list, pick a boat that’s compatible with it, and get ready to fish with your crew!

For many of us, casting a line in Australian waters has long been a dream. Soon, that dream will come true!

This was just a glimpse behind the scenes, and there’s still so much more to discover. Follow us on social media so you don’t miss the upcoming DevDiaries about fish at the location and the new shiny tackles coming your way!