Shark bay, Coral Coast Western Australia © Peter Morse

Great Fishing Adventures of Australia

A collection of independent fishing operators offering unforgettable experiences in Australia’s most inspiring and extraordinary locations.

Far North Sports Fishing, Queensland

The ultimate in blue water luxury sport fishing on the magnificent Great Barrier Reef, Far North Sports Fishing offers world- class fishing, on-board accommodation and expert guides.

With a bespoke charter from Port Douglas or Lizard Island, guests can board the 40- foot Black Magic game boat or the 70-foot mothership Martini to explore the blue waters of the Reef.

Guests can fish the outer and remote reef systems in the northern reaches of the Barrier Reef, as well as the continental shelf and the iconic fishing locations of Linden Bank and Opal Ridge.

Five star accommodation and dining is aboard either the Blue Martini or the luxurious 105-foot Motor Yacht Flying Fish, both catering for up to eight guests year round.

There is also plenty to do for non-fishing partners who can enjoy snorkelling or scuba diving trips at world-renowned sites on the Barrier Reef.

QUICK FACTS

Region, State: Cairns, Queensland
Trip length: Multi day: 5 days/5 nights
Top Five Species: Sailfish, Spanish mackerel, giant trevally, queenfish and northern bluefin tuna
Category: Blue water sport fishing - light tackle
Domestic & International Airport: Cairns, Queensland
Time to Lodge/Vessel: Depart from Lizard Island or Port Douglas, both 60 mins from Cairns
Peak Season: Year round
Method: Popping, trolling, jigging, fly, reef

Driftwater, Tasmania

Nestled in the World Heritage-listed wilderness of Northern Tasmania, Driftwater is a boutique fly fishing lodge offering visitors access to the region’s rivers, streams and clear mountain lakes, all of which are packed with wild brown trout.

There’s a range of fly fishing experiences available from wading the lowland rivers, drifting in handcrafted wooden boats, targeting mayfly feeders or early morning tailing trout, or polaroiding the shores of the Highland Lakes. Every fly fishing ability is catered for with expert fly fishing tuition on hand if required, plus female guides to encourage more women to get into the sport.

Accommodation is in a beautifully renovated 100-year-old homestead in a rural setting, overlooking the Meander Valley and surrounded by extensive gardens.

QUICK FACTS

Region, State: Meander Valley, Northern Tasmania
Trip length: Multi day and day trips available
Top Species: Brown trout, rainbow trout
Category: Freshwater
Domestic Airport: Launceston, Tasmania
International Airport: Melbourne, Victoria
Time to Lodge/Vessel: 2 hours’ drive to lodge/2 minutes to vessel
Peak Season: August - April
Method: Fly fishing

Riverfly 1864, Tasmania

RiverFly 1864 is an award-winning family-owned business that specialises in dry fly sight fishing for wild brown trout in rivers, lakes and tarns.

They offer a diverse range of fly-fishing adventures for beginners to advanced anglers, taking visitors to those lesser-known waters with the largest private access across Tasmania.

Working with some of the best local Tasmanian guides in the country with decades of experience across the wild trout fishery, tours range from river-based excursions to multi-day wilderness campouts in the Western Lakes, a huge area of lakes and tarns in the Central Highlands of Tasmania.

As Tasmania’s only fly-fishing outfitter, Riverfly can also provide all the necessary gear including handcrafted premium flies.

QUICK FACTS

Region/State: Tasmania
Trip length: Wilderness campouts, single/multi-day trips, destination fly shop
Top Species: Wild brown trout, rainbow trout
Category: Freshwater
Domestic Airport: Launceston, Tasmania
International Airport: Melbourne, Victoria
Time to Lodge/Vessel: 15 minutes from Launceston
Peak Season: October – April (rivers) November – March (wilderness sight fishing)
Method: Fly fishing

Thousand Lakes Lodge, Tasmania

Thousand Lakes Lodge is a place like no other - a boutique fly fishing lodge in Tasmania’s remote central plateau, offering some of the best trout fishing on its doorstep.

East of the Walls of Jerusalem National Park, the central plateau area has been a famous trout fishery for over 100 years. Known as the land of a thousand lakes, it has many alpine tarns formed by glacial action some 8,000 - 20,000 years ago.

A former training camp used by Antarctic expeditioners, Thousand Lakes Lodge has been transformed into boutique accommodation offering nine guest rooms, open-plan dining and lounge room and a slow-combustion fireplace which guests can relax around after a day’s fishing.

QUICK FACTS

Region, State: Central Plateau, Western Lakes, Tasmania
Trip length: Full day/half day/multi day guide fishing
Top Species: Brown trout and rainbow trout
Category: Freshwater fly fishing and lure/spin fishing
Domestic Airport: Launceston, Tasmania
International Airport: Melbourne, Victoria
Time to Lodge: 90 minutes from Launceston, 2 hours from Hobart or Devonport
Peak Season: Lakes - spring, summer (peak) and autumn, Rivers - spring, summer and autumn (both peak) * Note some lakes in the area have licenced fishing seasons which run from August to May
Method: Lure casting and fly fishing are the best methods for these species during all periods. Bait can be used to catch these fish on most waters throughout the season but it is not the preferred method.

Australian Coastal Safaris, South Australia

Located in South Australia’s Port Lincoln – known as Australia’s seafood capital – Australian Coastal Safaris is perfectly placed to offer a variety of fishing experiences, from deep sea sport fishing to beach fishing for big Australian salmon.

The pristine waters of the southern ocean which surround Port Lincoln and Coffin Bay on the magnificent Eyre Peninsula are relatively untouched which makes for some amazing fishing adventures for all.

Offering small groups of four to six, Australian Coastal Safaris targets a variety of fish species. Expect to be out deep, chasing tuna, yellowtail kingfish or samson fish with screaming reels or catching the prized table fish of King George whiting, flathead, garfish and trevally in the shallows.

QUICK FACTS

Region, State: Port Lincoln, South Australia
Trip length: Multi day or day trips
Top Five Species: Southern bluefin tuna, kingfish, red snapper, nannygai, King George whiting
Category: Saltwater tackle and sport/heavy tackle
Domestic Airport: Port Lincoln
International Airport: Adelaide
Time to Lodge: 20 minutes
Peak Season: October to May
Method: Lure, baits, plastics, live bait

Kimberley Coastal Camp, Western Australia

The benchmark in remote tropical sport fishing, Kimberley Coastal Camp sits on the edge of the pristine waters of Western Australia’s Admiralty Gulf– one of the best fishing regions in Australia.

With access via helicopter or float plane and guest numbers limited to just 16, fishing here is for the privileged few.

Kimberley Coastal Camp boasts fabulous scenery, gourmet food, spectacular fishing and ancient rock art. With no pre-set itineraries, guests plan their day with their guide according to their preferences and the tidal movements. They can fish all day every day or take their catch ashore on a deserted island fringed by boab trees where a host and guide will cook it ‘bush style’ on the coals.

Accommodation at Kimberley Coastal Camp is in gazebo-style cabins dotted around the camp with dining in The Shed, the communal area.

QUICK FACTS

Region, State: Kimberley Region, Western Australia
Trip length: Multi day charters
Top Five Species: Barramundi, threadfin salmon, giant trevally, tuna, queenfish
Category: Freshwater/saltwater - light tackle and sport - heavy tackle
Domestic Airport: Kununurra, Broome, Darwin
International Airport: Perth and Darwin
Time to Lodge/Vessel: 2.5 hour flight, no road access
Peak Season: April to October
Method: Lure and live bait

Helispirit, Western Australia

HeliSpirit, the largest helicopter company in the region, offers half day to multi day fishing adventures that combine the rugged beauty of the North Kimberley landscape with some of the most spectacular barramundi fishing in Australia.

Enjoying a bird’s eye view of the region’s amazing gorges, coastal flats and floodplains on their three day adventure, guests can experience two days heli-fishing from Kununurra with a chopper pilot who knows the secret fishing spots of the Kimberley – only accessible from the air. This is followed by an exciting one day saline boat fishing tour among some of the Top End’s biggest estuarine crocodiles along the mighty Ord River.

To experience more of the remarkable Kimberley and include ocean fishing, there is a six-day option on HeliSpirit’s Luxury Kimberley Helicopter Safari.

QUICK FACTS

Region, State: Australia’s North West, Western Australia
Trip length: 3 days, 4 nights
Top Species: Barramundi, mangrove jack, threadfin salmon
Category: Freshwater and saltwater - light tackle and sport
Domestic Airport: Kununurra
International Airport: Darwin, Northern Territory and Perth, Western Australia
Time to Lodge: 10 minutes
Peak Season: April - October
Method: Lure

Mackerel Islands, Western Australia

The Mackerel Islands are an archipelago of 10 beautiful islands surrounded by pristine waters in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, 22km off the coast of Onslow.

Just two out of the ten islands welcome guests - Thevenard and Direction Islands – offering a truly unique fishing adventure with beachfront accommodation in close proximity to world-class fishing.

The Mackerel Islands are also the Pilbara’s fishiest waters and anglers happily recount the number of times they reeled in a thumping great red emperor, giant trevally or sailfish.

Keen anglers have the choice of beach, boat and fly fishing as well as fishing charters, where an experienced skipper will reveal favourite fishing spots.

These waters attract visitors from all over the world to test their skills against nature’s finest.

QUICK FACTS

Region, State: Pilbara, Western
Trip length: Charters, day trips, multi day with accommodation
Top Five Species: Spanish mackerel, sailfish, red emperor, coral trout, giant trevally
Category: Saltwater/light tackle, sport/ heavy tackle
Domestic Airport: Onslow, Western Australia
International Airport: Perth, Western Australia
Time to Lodge/Vessel: 45 min ferry transfer from Onslow
Peak Season: Autumn/Winter (March - November)
Method: All

Cobourg Fishing Safaris, Northern Territory

Heralded as one of the best fishing destinations in Australia, visitors to the remote Cobourg Peninsula can expect to experience some of Australia’s best blue water and barramundi fishing, without vying for space.

The Aboriginal lands of the Cobourg Peninsula are a perfect example of an environment that has never felt the effects of human interference. Mud crabs can still be speared in the crystal-clear water, oysters can be shucked from nearly every exposed rock and fishing here is in a league of its own.

Accommodation at Cobourg Coastal Camp is in eight safari-style tents on raised decking. Dining is in a large, undercover area with the adjacent lounge and library the perfect place to relax after a day out at sea.

QUICK FACTS

Region, State: Arnhem Land, Northern Territory
Trip length: Multi day small group, private charters
Top Five Species: Barramundi, mangrove jacks, giant trevally, coral trout, golden snapper
Category: Saltwater - light tackle and sport
Domestic Airport: Smith Point Airstrip
International Airport: Darwin
Time to Lodge/Vessel: 1 minute
Peak Season: April, May, October, November
Method: Lure, plastics, live bait, fly, spear

Dhipirri Barra and Sportfishing Lodge, Northern Territory

Dhipirri Barra and Sportfishing Lodge, located on an exclusive stretch of Australia’s remote Arnhem Land coastline, provides personalised safaris for fishing enthusiasts from around the world.

Just a short scenic flight from Darwin or Gove, Dhipirri is located on pristine coastline between two tidal rivers – the Glyde and Woolen- where local traditional owners have given their approval to access these amazing fishing locations.

Barramundi or “barra” as it’s locally known, is the specialty here and a great fighting fish. Off shore the targets are pelagics and reef fish caught on the hundreds of bommies in the area.

Back at the lodge, guests are well looked after in air-conditioned, well-appointed cabins located next to a central lodge, where sundowners are enjoyed overlooking the ocean before an outstanding dinner of freshly caught fish or mud crabs.

QUICK FACTS

Region/State: Northern Territory
Trip length: 3-7 day safaris
Top Five Species: Barramundi, threadfin salmon, golden snapper, giant trevally, queenfish, mackeral and reef fish.
Category: Saltwater - light tackle and sportfishing
Domestic Airport: Gove
International Airport: Darwin, Northern Territory
Time to Lodge: Gove flight 40 mins/Darwin 2 hours
Peak Season: Dhipirri Barra operates from March - mid December
Method: Lures, plastics, fly fishing

Groote Eylandt Sports Fishing, Northern Territory

Groote Eylandt Sports Fishing offers a range of fishing charters, for novices through to experienced anglers.

Groote Eylandt – Dutch for ‘large island’ - and its sprawling archipelago encompasses some 40 smaller islands. It is around 650 kilometres east of Darwin (a 1.5 hour flight) in the

Gulf of Carpentaria. The Warnindilyakwa people are the traditional owners of the region.

On a typical three-day safari adventure, guests will experience reef, blue water and estuary fishing with hard-hitting tropical species from marlin and sailfish to the iconic barramundi.

Diverse marine habitats ranging from tidal coastal creeks and sandy islands, through to 150ft blue water trenches, mean anglers get to experience world-renowned fishing in one spot.

QUICK FACTS

Region: Arnhem Land/Gulf of Carpentaria,
State: Northern Territory
Trip length: Multi-day fishing safaris
Top Five Species: Sailfish, Spanish mackerel, giant trevally, queenfish and northern bluefin tuna
Category: Saltwater and estuary ranging from light tackle through to 24kg stand up
Domestic Airport: Alyangula, Groote Island, Northern Territory
International Airport: Darwin, Northern Territory
Time to Lodge: 1.5 hour flight from Darwin
Peak Season:
Bluewater - September to December
Estuaries - September to April
Reef - all year
Method: Casting, jigging and trolling lures, plastics and live baits, fly fishing

Day and Charter Operators

Bay Fish N Trips, Mornington, Victoria

The following operators are specialists in providing knowledge and tackle solutions specifically suited to their location and target species.

Experiences can range from single day tours in Victoria at Port Phillip Bay, heli fishing in the Northern Territory or a two to seven day expedition through the Great Barrier Reef on Queensland’s coast, to name a few. For those venturing to the West Coast, specialist fly fishing guides will have your clients sight casting throughout the famous Ningaloo Reef or chasing the mighty marlin offshore on a game boat.

Aussie Fly Fisher – Sydney, New South Wales
Bay Fish N Trips – Mornington, Victoria
Cairns Reef FIshing - Cairns, Queensland
East Coast Angling- Port Douglas, Queensland
Elizabeth E II Cruising and Fishing – Mackay, Queensland
Fly Fishing Frontiers – Exmouth, Western Australia
Helifish – Darwin, Northern Territory. Cairns, Townsville and Horn Island, Queensland
Hervey Bay Fly & Sportfishing – Hervey Bay, Queensland
Kekoa Sports Fishing- Fraser Island, Queensland
Mahi Mahi Fishing Charters – Coral Bay, Western Australia
Northern Conquest Charters- Townsville, Queensland
Renegade Fishing Charters – Whitsundays, Queensland
Sydney Flyfishing Tours – Sydney, New South Wales
Tie 'n' Fly Outfitters - Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Ultimate Adventures - Kununurra, Western Australia

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