Australia is legendary for its amazing fishing. Thousands of miles of fish-rich coastline dot the country, from the cool waters of the South to the tropical Top End and the world’s largest fringing and coral reefs. Flats fishing, rock fishing and beach fishing are all popular activities whether you are baiting, spinning a lure or casting a fly.
Sport fishing is also excellent. Marlin, sailfish, mahi mahi and tuna swim the blue waters along the coast and the country hosts the southern hemisphere’s largest game fishing tournament. Away from the coast, pristine lakes, mighty rivers and mountain streams attract freshwater anglers. You can fly fish for trout in the mountains or fish outback billabongs with barramundi.
Wherever you cast your line, make sure that you fish sustainably; only take what you need and be sure to respect seasonal closures as well as local size and bag limitations. Fishing licenses are required for both freshwater and saltwater fishing. Finally, once you land at your favorite fishing destination, head into a tackle shop to chat with the locals about recent catches and conditions.
10 Top-Rated Fishing Destinations in Australia
1. Cairn, Queensland
If your dream is to catch a giant black marlin, as well as just about any other Pacific game fish species you can name, this is the place for you. North Queensland, particularly the Cairns area north along the Great Barrier Reef, is known as the black marlin capital of the world. According to records from the International Game Fishing Association, up to 70 percent of all “granders” (black marlin over 1000 pounds) are caught in these waters each year.
The season lasts from September to late December and these days most marlin are tagged and released. The tropical waters adjacent to the reef and along the continental shelf are incredibly rich in baitfish and plankton, and also attract species such as yellowfin tuna, Spanish mackerel, mahi mahi (dorado), barracuda, trevally, wahoo and sailfish.
You can also cast a line from shore or cruise the mangrove rivers for barramundi. Trolling and spear fishing are also popular. A range of charters are available in Cairns from estuary fishing to inshore and offshore fishing, sport fishing, reef fishing, fly fishing and liveaboards. Another advantage is that Cairns has an international airport which is easily accessible for anglers coming from outside Australia.
2. The Upper End, Northern Territory
The Northern Territory’s tropical northernmost point, or ‘Top End’ as it is known, is legendary for its fantastic barramundi fishing. The best times to fish here are during the Barra Build -up , from October to December, when the school of fish in the local billabongs and saltwater estuaries before the monsoon rains flood the region, and the Barra Runoff , from February to May, when the barramundi gather at the estuaries gather.
Some of the best fishing in the Top End includes the Daly River , the Mary River at Shady Camp , and the Adelaide River . World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park , theSouth and East Alligator Rivers are prime spots for boat fishing. Corroboree & Yellow Water Billabong are also promising.
But the Top End isn’t all about barramundi. Reef fishing is popular during the dry season, from May to November, and deep sea fishing is an option any time of year when the seas are calm. You can book a guided trip, stay in a fisherman’s cabin, or hire a boat and fish the areas independently (but beware of saltwater crocodiles). Heli-fishing is also available on some of the rivers.
3. Cape York, Queensland
Cape York offers anglers the ultimate Australian fishing adventure. Accessible only by 4WD, Australia’s remote northern tip is known for its pristine beaches. uninhabited islands; and fish-rich tidal estuaries, lagoons and rivers. Roads are impassable here during the rainy season, but from May to December a stream of adventurous travelers venture into this wild and remote region, where indigenous people have lived off the land for thousands of years.
Barramundi, Cobia, Mangrove Jack, Trevally, Queenfish, Mackerel, Chinook Salmon, Cod, Giant Trevally and Tuna are all top catches here. You can cast shore reef along the coral trout, fish for baby barramundi in the billabongs or try your luck on a rocky headland. complete your fishing adventure, by cooking your catch of the day over an open fire under a glittering night sky.
To avoid the rough multi-day drive, you can fly inBamaga or Weipa less than two hours from Cairns and stay in a secluded fisherman’s cabin or book a liveaboard. For many anglers, the 4WD trip is part of the adventure. Always check local conditions before heading out and beware of saltwater crocodiles.
4. Exmouth, Western Australia
Adjacent to the World Heritage Ningaloo ReefThe world’s largest fringing reef, Exmouth is one of the most biodiverse fishing grounds in the world. The crystal clear waters surrounding this remote town, near the tip of Western Australia’s North West Cape, are famous for the hundreds of whale sharks that swim here from March to October, but they are also home to a dazzling variety of other fish.
You can cast a line here for species like Milkfish, Bonefish, Blue Bone, Queenfish, Cobia, Permit, Trevally, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo and Tuna. The continental shelf is only a few kilometers from the reef and offers excellent deep sea fishing. Gamefish found in these waters include all six Australian billfish species: sailfish; black, blue, and striped marlin; swordfish; and shortbill marlin.
Other fishing options include casting crystalline flats for giant trevally or roaming the flats of Ningaloo Lagoon for bonefish. Fly fishing, trolling, bait fishing, and bait fishing are available here, and guides should be booked in advance. Exmouth is a two and a half hour flight from Perth. Note that Ningaloo Marine Park includes protected areas where fishing is prohibited.
Check before you go. Other top fishing destinations in Western Australia include Broome and the wild and rugged Kimberley Coast. Note that Ningaloo Marine Park includes protected areas where fishing is prohibited. Check before you go. Other top fishing destinations in Western Australia include Broome and the wild and rugged Kimberley Coast.
Note that Ningaloo Marine Park includes protected areas where fishing is prohibited. Check before you go. Other top fishing destinations in Western Australia include Broome and the wild and rugged Kimberley Coast.
5. Central Highlands, Tasmania
Tasmania’s central highlands are linked to more than 3,000 lakes and are Australia’s top trout fishing spots . Hooking one of these fish can be worthwhile as the wild brown trout and rainbow trout are well known here even for the experienced angler. Arthur’s Lake, about an hour from Launceston, is one of the most popular brown trout lakes open August to May .
Big Lakeis also a favorite. In spring the highland waters are ideal for fly fishing. Some lakes are only accessible by foot, but that’s part of their magic. The peak fishing season in the early southern hemisphere is summer to mid-fall. Tasmania also has excellent sea fishing, particularly along the east coast near towns such as St Helens.
The rivers around Launceston such as the Macquarie, the South Esk and Brumbys Creek are also favourites, and the Tyenna, with its rainbow and brown trout, is a popular spot for fly fishing. Make sure the river or lake is open before heading out and dress in layers as the weather here can change quickly.
6. Hervey Bay, Queensland
About 300 kilometers north of Brisbane in Queensland, Hervey (pronounced “Harvey”) is known for its fantastic fishing with crystal clear subtropical waters and various species of gamefish. Sheltered by neighboring Fraser Island, the planet’s largest sand island, the nutrient-rich offshore waters typically offer quiet nooks for fishing, even on windy days.
In particular, the area is famous for its beautiful golden trevally that criss-cross the crystalline plains, but you can also cast for various species of tuna, giant trevally, cobia, sailfish and marlin (striped, blue and black). For those wanting to catch a meal, tuna, whiting, sarcoria, flathead and snapper can all be found in these waters and beach fishing for bream is also popular.
Thanks to the protection of the surrounding islands, humpback whales often calve in these waters during the winter. Charter options in Hervey Bay include sport fishing, guided saltwater fly fishing and multi-day liveaboards. You can also cast the two-kilometre pier into deep water at high tide to catch flathead, tuna and kingfish.
7. Port Stephens, NSW
The resort area of Port Stephens, about a two-and-a-half-hour drive north of Sydney, is a hotspot for anglers and is best known for its fantastic sport fishing . In February and March, the region hosts the Southern Hemisphere’s largest sportfishing tournament, the NSW Interclub Tournament , with record catches of Australian billfish species.
Local guides also offer big game fly fishing. In addition to hunting game fish, anglers can also fish the brackish waters of the extensive Myall Lakes system; throw into the Karuah River; or fish the flats along Nelson Bay,Here you can wade, kayak or explore by boat. The best time to fish these weedy shallows is during the rising or falling tide.
Commonly caught species in the area include bream, dusky flathead, sand whiting, snapper, luderick, cutter, melloway and kingfish. Bait fishing in this region is particularly rewarding. Note that some areas of the Great Lakes Marine Park are designated conservation zones, so be sure to do your research before checking out.
8. Port Lincoln, South Australia
Port Lincoln is approximately 400 miles from Adelaide and claims to be the seafood capital of Australia. So it’s no surprise that it’s one of South Australia’s top fishing destinations. The town is on the lower Eyre Peninsulaon the shores of Boston Bay, where the cold, nutrient-rich waters of the Great South Australian Coastal Upwelling System mix with the waters of the Great Australian Bight and Spencer Gulf, resulting in fertile fishing grounds.
In particular, the area is known for southern bluefin tuna. You can cruise the blue waters by boat or cast a line off the beach. Boat fishing and rock fishing along the rugged coastline are also popular activities. Common species caught here include snapper, salmon, snook, whiting, garfish and squid.
Prime time for tuna is late summer and fall, while kingfish swim these waters in late spring and summer. Marinas are at Port Lincoln and Tumby Bay. and boat ramps are at these two locations as well as Taylor’s Landing, North Shields, Port Neill, MT. Dutton Bay and Coffin Bay. Note that the ocean can be very rough here. So check local conditions before hitting the water.
9. Gippsland, Victoria
For diversity of habitat it’s hard to beat Gippsland as one of Victoria’s most popular fishing destinations. A few hours drive east of Melbourne, Gippsland offers pristine coastal lakes; estuaries; rivers; and long, empty beaches like Ninety Mile Beach .
In this region, along the south coast of Australia, you can cast a line in a clear mountain stream for brown and rainbow trout; Fish one of the rivers or lakes for redfish, eel, carp and Australian bass; or cast in the coastal waters for species such as King George Whiting, Silver Trevally, Bream, Australian Salmon, Gummy Bears and Snapper.
Among the top spots is the popular resort of Lakes Entrance, where the Gippsland Lakes join the Bass Strait, with many inland canals and rivers. The River Avon is also a popular spot for brown trout, bass and redfin, while Blue Rock Lake with brown trout and redfin is famous for its fly fishing.
Inverloch and Corinella are also top spots along the coast, with sheltered beaches and plenty of fish, while Mallacoota and Tamboon are known for their twilight flathead. The mild climate of this picturesque region ensures excellent fishing conditions throughout the year.
10. Lake Jindabyne, New South Wales
In the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales, a five and a half hour drive from Sydney, Lake Jindabyne is one of Australia’s premier trout fishing lakes . The lake sits at 930 meters and is fed by the Thredbo, Snowy and Eucumbene rivers. Anglers can catch brown, brook and rainbow trout, as well as Atlantic salmon, and all types of fishing are allowed, leading to baiting, spinning, trolling and fly fishing. Main sights are usually around the lake.
Fish early or late in the day for best results. In the parish of Jindabyne Anglers can organize boat rentals and rentals, hire guides, and rent fishing gear. If you plan to visit during the popular winter season from June to October, book your accommodation well in advance.
As well as the lakes, the region’s streams and rivers also offer excellent fishing – notably the Thredbo River, but check for seasonal closures before you go. Jindabyne is also home to the Gaden Trout Hatchery where you can learn more about fish farming in the area before you cast your line.
