15 Top-Rated Fishing Destinations in Australia

Australia is legendary for its fantastic fishing. Thousands of kilometers of fish-rich coastline rim the country, from the cool waters of the south to the tropical Top End and the world's largest fringing and barrier reefs.

Saltwater fishing in Australia is particularly rewarding. Flats fishing, rock fishing, and beach fishing, are all popular pursuits, whether you fish with bait, spin a lure, or cast a fly. Game fishing is also excellent. Marlin, sailfish, mahi-mahi, and tuna swim the blue waters along the coast, and the country hosts the largest game fishing tournament in the Southern Hemisphere.

Freshwater fishing in Australia takes anglers to pristine lakes, mighty rivers, and mountain streams. You can fly fish for trout in the Snowy Mountains or fish outback billabongs brimming with barramundi.

You can even fish in the cities. Fishing in Sydney, Australia is an unforgettable experience, with a wide variety of species in the harbor, bays, beaches, and rivers.

Wherever you cast your line, make sure you fish sustainably–take only what you need and be sure to respect seasonal closures, as well as local size and bag limits. Fishing licenses are required for both freshwater and saltwater fishing. Once you land at your favorite fishing destination, it's a good idea to pop into a tackle shop to chat with the locals about recent catches and conditions.

Find the best spot to catch the "big one" with our list of the top fishing destinations in Australia.

1. Cairns, Queensland

If it's your dream to catch a huge black marlin, as well as just about any other Australian gamefish species you can name, this is the place to come. North Queensland, in particular the area from Cairns northwards along the Great Barrier Reef, is known as the black marlin capital of the world.

Cairns fishing can be exhilarating. According to International Game Fishing Association records, up to 70 percent of all "granders" (black marlin exceeding 1,000 pounds) are caught in these waters each year. The season runs from September through late December, and nowadays, most of the marlin are tagged and released.

The tropical waters adjacent to the reef and along the continental shelf are incredibly rich in bait fish 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 the shore or cruise the mangrove-fringed rivers for barramundi. Trolling and spearfishing are also popular.

A range of charters are available out of Cairns, from estuary fishing and inshore and offshore light tackle sports fishing to reef fishing, fly fishing, and liveaboard trips. Another bonus is that Cairns has an international airport, making it easy to access for anglers arriving from outside Australia. No wonder this is one of the best fishing spots in Queensland.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in Cairns

2. The Top End, Northern Territory

The tropical northernmost tip of the Northern Territory or "Top End," as it's called, is famous for some of the best barramundi fishing in Australia. This area encompasses Darwin and Kakadu National Park,

The best times to fish here are during the barra build-up, from October through December. This is when the fish school in the local billabongs and saltwater estuaries before monsoonal rains inundate the region. The barra run-off, from February through May, is also excellent. At this time, the barramundi tend to congregate at the river mouths.

The best fishing spots in the Top End include the Daly River, the Mary River at Shady Camp, and the Adelaide River. In World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, the South and East Alligator River are top spots to fish by boat. Corroboree and Yellow Water Billabong are also promising.

But the Top End is not all about barramundi. During the dry season, from May through November, reef fishing is popular, and deep sea fishing is a possibility at any time of year when the seas are calm. You can book a guided trip, stay at a fishing lodge, or hire a boat and fish the areas independently (but beware of saltwater crocodiles). Heli-fishing is also available on some of the rivers.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Australia's Northern Territory

3. Cape York, Queensland

Cape York offers anglers the ultimate Aussie fishing adventure. Accessible only by 4WD, the remote far north tip of Australia is famous for its pristine beaches; uninhabited islands; and fish-rich tidal estuaries, lagoons, and rivers.

During the wet season, the roads here become impassable, but from May through December, a stream of thrill-seeking travelers venture north 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, king salmon, cod, giant trevally, and tuna are all top catches here. You can cast along inshore reefs for coral trout, fish for baby barramundi in the billabongs, or try your luck off a rocky headland. Top off your angling adventure by cooking your catch of the day on an open fire under a glittering night sky.

To avoid the rough multi-day drive, you can fly into Bamaga or Weipa in less than two hours from Cairns and stay in a remote fishing lodge. Alternatively, you can book a liveaboard boat trip. However, for many anglers, the 4WD journey is part of the adventure. Always check local conditions before heading out, and beware of saltwater crocodiles!

4. Exmouth, Western Australia

Exmouth is one of the most diverse fishing destinations on the planet. It borders World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef, the world's largest fringing reef, near the tip of Western Australia's North West Cape. The crystal-clear waters surrounding this remote town, are famous for the hundreds of whale sharks that swim here from March through October, but they are also home to a dazzling array of other fish.

You can cast a line here for species such as milkfish, bonefish, blue bone, queenfish, cobia, permit, trevally, mahi-mahi, wahoo, and tuna. The continental shelf lies only a few kilometers away from the edge of the reef, offering excellent deep sea fishing.

Gamefish found in these waters include all six of the Australian billfish species: sailfish; black, blue, and striped marlin; broadbill swordfish; and shortbill spearfish.

Other fishing options include sight casting across crystalline flats for giant trevally, or prowling the flats of Ningaloo lagoon for bonefish. Fly fishing, trolling, bait fishing, and lure fishing are all possible here, and guides should be booked well in advance.

Exmouth is a two-and-a-half-hour flight from Perth. Note that the Ningaloo Marine Park encompasses sanctuary zones where fishing is prohibited. Check before you head out.

5. Central Highlands, Tasmania

Laced with more than 3,000 lakes, the Central Highland of Tasmania is one of the top spots for trout fishing in Australia. Hooking one of these fish can be rewarding, as the wild brown trout and rainbow trout here are known to be a tough match, even for experienced anglers.

Arthurs Lake, about an hour from Launceston, is one of the most popular lakes for brown trout when it's open, from August until May. Great Lake is also a favorite. During spring, highland waters are great for wet fly fishing.

Some lakes can only be reached by foot, but this is part of their magic. The prime time for fishing is in the early Southern Hemisphere summer through mid-fall.

Tasmania also has excellent ocean fishing, especially along the east coast near towns such as St. Helens. The rivers around Launceston such as Macquarie, the South Esk, and Brumbys Creek, are also favorites, and the Tyenna River, with both rainbow and brown trout, is a popular fly fishing spot.

Check to make sure the river or lake is open before you head out, and dress in layers, as the weather here can change quickly.

6. Broome, Western Australia

The remote pearling town of Broome in Western Australia offers a little bit of everything for avid anglers. You can snag a barramundi in the creeks, bays, and rivers, and fish for other species like black-spotted croaker, cod, jacks, and threadfin salmon.

Beach anglers should head to Cable Beach. Here, you can cast along the gutters or from the craggy headlands to catch dart and blue-spotted trevally. Threadfin salmon and Northern bluefin tuna can be found close to shore, too. To the left of Gantheaume Point is another great fishing spot, where you have the chance to catch queenfish and trevally.

Offshore offers even more excitement. Anglers can catch sailfish, Spanish mackerel, black marlin, cobia, mahi-mahi, and northern bluefin tuna in these nutrient-rich waters. Broome's harbor lacks facilities for charter boats, so the best place to launch a boat is Gantheaume Beach, south of Cable Beach, or from one of the boat ramps around town.

Broome is also the gateway to the rugged and remote Kimberley region, with some of the best fishing in Australia for a variety of species. It's difficult to access this rugged region, but that's a big reason why fishing here is so rewarding.

• Read More: Best Attractions in Broome

7. Hervey Bay, Queensland

Hervey (pronounced "Harvey") Bay is famous for its fantastic fishing, with crystal-clear subtropical waters and diverse species of Australian gamefish. It's located about 300 kilometers north of Brisbane, Queensland's capital.

Sheltered by neighboring K'Gari (Fraser Island), the planet's largest sand island, the nutrient-rich waters off the coast usually offer calm nooks to fish, even on windy days. In particular, the area is famous for its beautiful golden trevally, which cruise the crystalline flats, but you can also cast for different kinds of tuna, giant trevally, cobia, sailfish, and marlin (striped, blue, and black).

Craving a catch for dinner? Tuna, whiting, tailor, flathead, and snapper are found in these waters, and beach fishing for bream is also popular.

Thanks to the protection of nearby islands, humpback whales often calve in these waters during winter, and whale watching trips are one of the top things to do in Hervey Bay, besides fishing.

Fishing charters from Hervey Bay include sports fishing trips, guided saltwater fly fishing, and multi-day liveaboard excursions. You can also cast off the two-kilometer-long pier into deep waters during high tide to catch flathead, tuna, and kingfish.

8. Port Stephens, New South Wales

One of the best fishing spots in New South Wales, Port Stephens is famous for its fantastic game fishing. In February and March, the region hosts the Southern Hemisphere's largest game fishing tournament, the NSW Game Fishing Association Interclub Tournament, with record catches of Australian billfish species. Local guides also offer big game fly fishing.

Besides chasing Australian game fish, anglers can also fish the brackish waters of the extensive Myall Lakes system; cast in the Karuah River; or fish the flats along Nelson Bay, where you can wade, kayak, or explore by boat. The best times to fish these weed-strewn shallows is during the rising or falling tide.

Frequently-caught species in the region include bream, dusky flathead, sand whiting, snapper, luderick, tailor, mulloway, and kingfish. Lure fishing in this region is especially rewarding.

Note that some areas of the Great Lakes Marine Park are designated sanctuary zones, so be sure to check before heading out.

Port Stephens is a popular weekend getaway from Sydney, a two-and-a-half-hour drive away, so you'll find plenty of accommodations here if you want to stay a while.

9. Port Lincoln, South Australia

About 650 kilometers from Adelaide, Port Lincoln claims to be the seafood capital of Australia. It's no surprise then that this hub of Australia's fishing industry is one of the best fishing spots in South Australia.

The town lies along the lower Eyre Peninsula on the shore of Boston Bay, where the cold nutrient-rich waters of the Great South Australian Coastal Upwelling System mingle 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. Jetty fishing and rock fishing along the rugged coastline are also popular. Frequently caught species here include snapper, salmon, snook, whiting, garfish, and squid.

Prime time for tuna is late summer and autumn, and kingfish swim these waters in late spring and summer. Marinas are at Port Lincoln and Tumby Bay, and boat ramps are at both of these locations as well as Taylor's Landing, North Shields, Port Neill, Mt. Dutton Bay, and Coffin Bay.

Note that the ocean can be rough here, so check local conditions before hitting the water.

10. Jervis Bay, New South Wales

Fishing in Australia's Jervis Bay, in the Shoalhaven region, offers opportunities for every kind of angler. Probably its biggest claim to fame is that it has some of the best land-based fishing in Australia with great game fishing opportunities from rock platforms.

Don't have a boat? No problem. This is one of the few locations in Australia where yellowfin tuna and marlin are reliably caught from land.

Jervis Bay is also home to one of six marine parks in New South Wales: the Jervis Bay Marine Park. Recreational fishing is permitted here in about 80 percent of its waters, but make sure you stay away from the no-take zones – consult a map before you head out.

You'll never be bored here. You can also cast a line in the estuaries, fish off the beach, or hop on a boat to hunt for game fish. Sheltered beaches, seagrass beds, and reef systems are prime fishing spots, and boat-based anglers can catch an impressive range of species, including yellowtail kingfish, yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi, and even black and striped marlin. Spearfishing is also popular, either from a boat or shore.

Jervis Bay lies on the NSW South coast, about 2.5 hours south of Sydney.

11. Gippsland, Victoria

For diversity of habitat, it's hard to beat Gippsland as one of the best fishing spots in Victoria. A few hours' drive east of Melbourne, Gippsland offers pristine coastal lakes; estuaries; rivers; and long, empty beaches such as Ninety Mile Beach.

In this region, along the southern 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 redfin, eel, carp, and Australian bass; or cast in the coastal waters for species such as King George whiting, silver trevally, bream, Australian salmon, gummy sharks, and snapper.

Top places to fish include the popular vacation hamlet of Lakes Entrance, where the Gippsland lakes connect to Bass Strait, with many inland channels and rivers. The Avon River 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. Mallacoota and Tamboon are known for their dusky flathead. The mild climate of this scenic region makes for excellent fishing conditions most of the year.

12. Lake Jindabyne, New South Wales

Snuggled in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales, a five-and-a-half-hour drive from Sydney, Lake Jindabyne is one of the best trout-fishing lakes in Australia. The lake sits at 930 meters and is fed by the Thredbo, Snowy, and Eucumbene rivers.

Anglers can catch brown, brook, and rainbow trout here, as well as Atlantic salmon. All types of fishing are permitted, including bait, spinning, trolling, and fly fishing. Prime spots are usually around the lake edges. Fish early or late in the day for the best results.

In the township of Jindabyne, you can organize boat charter and rental, hire guides, and rent fishing equipment. If you're planning to visit during the popular winter season, from June through October, book accommodation well in advance.

In addition to the lakes, the region's streams and rivers also offer excellent fishing–especially the Thredbo River, but check for seasonal closures before you go. Jindabyne is also home to the Gaden Trout Hatchery, where you can learn about the region's fish breeding before you cast your line.

Read More: Top-Rated Attractions in the Snowy Mountains, NSW

13. Sydney Harbour

Surrounded by serpentine waterways, Sydney offers diverse and scenic fishing experiences. Casting from a boat in Sydney Harbour, with views of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, is an unforgettable experience. Australian salmon, tailor, kingfish, yellowtail, bream, John dory, and flathead are just some of the many species you can catch here.

Fishing at one of Sydney's beautiful beaches is also rewarding–especially at Coogee, Bondi, and Palm Beach. Many anglers also like to try rock fishing along the coast, but beware of rogue swells–unsuspecting anglers are swept off the craggy headlands around Sydney's bays and beaches every year.

Another one of the best fishing spots in Sydney is the Parramatta River, Sydney Harbour's main tributary. Its many waterways offer excellent fishing for bream, blackfish, tailor, luderick, and flathead. You can also cast a line from Gladesville Wharf and Cabarita Wharf, but it's better to fish for fun rather than food along this river due to pollution.

Botany Bay is another fishing hot spot. Here, you can catch species like bream, tailor, whiting, salmon, blackfish, and flathead, and if you want to catch big game species, book an offshore fishing charter. Favorite catches include yellowfin, bluefin, and albacore tuna; mahi-mahi; striped, black, and blue marlin; as well as many shark species. You can also fish the offshore reefs and wrecks for snapper (September through March), mulloway, leatherjacket, and kingfish.

Read More: Top Attractions & Places to Visit in Sydney

14. Arnhem Land, Northern Territory

Productive fishing and remote waters often go hand in hand. Aboriginal-owned Arnhem Land in a far north-west corner of the Northern Territory is a case in point. Fishing is legendary in these hard-to-reach waters, and you'll need a permit to enter. But it's worth it.

Once you get here, you'll be greeted by crystal-clear turquoise waters, empty white-sand beaches, abundant wildlife, few people – and many fish. Plus you can soak up some of the region's rich Aboriginal culture while you're here.

Tropical tidal rivers, coastal creeks, and estuaries offer some of the world's best barramundi fishing. Other species you can catch here include mangrove jack and threadfin and blue salmon.

Blue water fishing is also excellent. Coral trout, queenfish, golden snapper, Spanish mackerel, longtail tuna, trevally (both golden and giant), and cobia all swim the offshore waters. Plus, you'll rarely see another soul, making this one of the most pristine fishing spots in Australia.

Arnhem Land Barramundi Lodge is one of the only fishing outfitters in this region, and it's one of the best fishing lodges in Australia if you want to fish truly remote, pristine waters. To visit Arnhem Land, you'll also have to organize a permit in advance from the Northern Land Council.

15. The Cobourg Peninsula, Northern Territory

Lying along the Arafura Sea in north-west Arnhem Land, the Cobourg Peninsula is another bucket-list fishing destination in the Northern Territory. It sits within Garig Gunak Barlu National Park, laced by blue bays, rugged headlands, and fish-rich coral reefs. Barramundi are top catches in the tidal creeks and estuaries, and blue water fishing is also fantastic here.

Accommodation is limited. You can camp on the Cobourg Peninsula at Garig Gunak Barlu National Park between May and October, but you must obtain a permit from NT Parks and Wildlife. Cobourg Fishing Safaris also offers fly in/fly out fishing charters with accommodation at Cobourg Coastal Camp, and you can also base yourself at Seven Spirit Bay Wilderness Lodge, another of Australia's best fishing lodges.

Getting to this remote region can also be a challenge. Travel is either by 4WD vehicle on rough, rutted roads; regular flights to remote Aboriginal communities; or private charter flights. But fewer visitors means more fish to catch!

Map of Fishing Destinations in Australia

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Plan Your Trip: For helpful tips on customizing the perfect Aussie itinerary, see our article, Plan Your Trip to Australia: Top Itineraries. Here, you'll find the top places to visit depending on your interests and time constraints.