17 Best Places to Fish in Australia

A true paradise for anglers is the best way to describe Australia.

This massive island with a sparse population boasts of coastline stretching at almost 60,000 kilometers, surrounded by lightly-fished, clean, and warm seas.

This is why it is not really a surprise that the diverse and rich fish life of Australia is composed of approximately 4,000 marine species and counting, most of which are exclusively found in the continent.

If you have always wanted to have the ultimate adventure in the Land Down Under, start packing your fishing gear and visit these 17 best places to fish in Australia:

1. South West Rocks, New South Wales

South West Rocks can be found about halfway between Brisbane and Sydney.

This secret gem is located on the mouth of Macleay River and remains undiscovered and undisturbed by tourists.

Unlike other fishing areas, you don’t have to worry about being surrounded by large crowds even during the holidays or weekends in South West Rocks.

Local fishermen love to fish on the beach or off the rocks.

Common fish species in the place include Spotted and Spanish Mackerel, Black Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna, Dolphin Fish, and Cobia.

Aside from fishing, there are lots of things to do and see in South West Rocks like watching whale migrations or visiting the Smoky Cape Lighthouse, one of the oldest and tallest lighthouses that remain standing in New South Wales.

2. Queenscliff, Victoria

The small town of Queenscliff on the Bellarine Peninsula serves as a sentinel over the stunning Port Phillip Bay.

During the late 19^th century, the town was a critical cargo port and also a major tourist destination as it boasts of numerous coffee palaces and luxury hotels.

When the 20^th century came, the significance of the town was reduced. Today, however, it is coming back to life because of the amazing fishing opportunities it has in store for anglers.

With its ideal location on the entrance to Port Philip Bay, the town of Queenscliff is a wonderful starting point for all types of fishing ventures.

From Queenscliff Harbour, you will only be a several minutes away from a Bass Strait adventure or a hook-up in the Bay.

Lake Victoria is also nearby where you can go for freshwater fishing. Calamari, Garfish, Perch, Snapper, Flathead, Salmon, and King George Whiting are some of the many species you can find in the Bay.

3. Sweers Island, Queensland Coastline

The private island of Sweers Island can be found at Central Queensland’s Northern Coast and serves as a true haven for anglers.

Sweetlip fish are among the most common species that can be caught in the rocky reefs of this island.

However, throughout the different seasons, you can also be lucky to catch a Coral Trout, Northern Blue Fin Tuna, and a Spanish Mackerel when you cast your line.

4. Shark Bay, Western Australia

There is a good reason why Shark Bay has become a part of the World Heritage List.

Thanks to its breathtaking natural beauty that serves a home to numerous unique and rare flora and fauna, Shark Bay is the probably the best backdrop you can ever have for your upcoming Aussie fishing adventure.

The area has more than 320 types of fish swimming here and there, including Spanish Mackerel, Bluebone Groper, Yellowtail Kingfish, and Cobia. Shark Bay truly offers a plethora of sea life in its sparkling waters.

Shark Bay Marine Park is a famous fishing spot where you are allowed to bring your own boat or you can also hire one.

Once you get tired from fishing, you can take a break and enjoy its other attraction.

From the biggest population of dugongs, to the renowned Monkey Mia dolphins, to the world’s oldest living fossils, it doesn’t really come as a surprise that Shark Bay is among the best places for fishing not just in Western Australia but the entire Australia itself.

5. Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory

An incredible ecosystem with a scenic a natural beauty, Kakadu National park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can find the best Saratoga and Barramundi fishing Australia can ever offer.

This place is filled with life and wild at the same time. The perfect spots are East Alligator River and South Alligator River that you can access through the boat ramps dotting the place.

It is ideal to go Barra fishing during the run-off period and wet season. During other times, it would be best to scour those reefs around the rivers’ mouth for Black Jewfish and Golden Snapper.

There are lots of things to catch and see here but don’t forget to fish sustainably.

The recreational fishing regulations of the Northern Territory only allows you to keep 3 Barramundi with a length of 90 centimeters and one Barramundi more than 90 centimeters for every boat.

6. Exmouth, Western Australia

Exmouth, with its location on the Western Australia shores, is the gateway to Ningaloo Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Ningaloo reef, a stunning stretch of the ocean that spans for 260 kilometers filled with all sizes and shapes of fish and lined with corals of various colors, hems the coast.

The waters are very healthy that results to an astoundingly diverse and rich marine life.

The best thing here is that the continental shelf drops several kilometers off the coast, letting you get to the deep blues in just a few minutes after you leave land.

What sets Exmouth fishing apart from other locations is the presence of Bonefish. The favorite of any fly fisherman, Bonefish are available here all year long.

You can also find here other species such as Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, Red Emperor, Coral Trout, and Snapper.

7. Dampier Archipelago, Western Australia

By now, you might have noticed that some of the best places to fish in Australia can be found in Northern Western Australia.

Dampier Archipelago is another addition to the list where you can find different sought after species including Spangled Emperor, Scarlet Sea Perch, Coral Trout, Blue Bone, Norwest Snapper, and Coral Trout.

The Karratha Visitors Centre is there to give you a guide on how to fish in the local waters.

8. Jindabyne, New South Wales

A 5 and a half hour drive from Sydney, you will reach Lake Jindabyne with its cozy location in New South Wales’ Snowy Mountains.

The lake is among the best lakes for trout fishing in Australia, sitting at 930 meters and is getting fed by the Eucumbene, Snowy, and Thredbo rivers.

Here, anglers can look forward to catching Rainbow Brook, and Brown Trout and Atlantic Salmon. The area allows all forms of fishing including fly fishing, spinning, trolling, and bait.

The best areas can be usually found around the edges of the lake. You can expect the best results if you fish late or early in the day.

Aside from the lakes, the rivers and streams of the river also offer great fishing, specifically the Thredbo River. Just make sure you check for any seasonal closures before going there.

9. Port Lincoln, South Australia

Port Lincoln is a seaside town known far and wide for its delicious fresh seafood courtesy of the area’s abundant sea life. It boasts of numerous jetties to fish from that advanced and beginner fishermen alike will surely love.

The location is also perfect not only for day fishing but even night fishing, which is now becoming a famous time when local fishermen drop their lines.

One of the famous spots in Port Lincoln is none other than Boston Bay where it is common to find Garfish, Squid, Trevally, Whiting, and Tuna.

The bay has a size that is four times bigger than that of Sydney Harbour.

Some of the best activities in the place that got nothing to do with fishing include swimming with the sea lions, going on seafood trail tours, or if you love living on the edge, you can even go shark cage diving.

10. Cairns, Queensland

The coastal city of Cairns is famous for its numerous fishing spots. Found in Northern Queensland, Cairns is only an hour away from beaches, lakes, estuaries, and the ocean ideal for some fishing adventures.

It even has a parallel locate to the popular Great Barrier Reef, the home of many exotic fish as well as other unique sea creatures.

An exciting bonus here is that Cairns almost always has warm weather throughout the year that makes it a great spot to visit any time.

It is highly recommended to give charter fishing a try when you are in the area since there are a lot of fishing charters running in and out of Cairns that could take you to some of the best fishing spots you could ever imagine.

These charters could take you to the Reef where it is common to find Mackerel and Coral Trout to the local rivers that serve as a home to bounties of Barramundi.

11. Merimbula, New South Wales

If you are looking for the most scenic place to fish in Australia, Merimbula will easily take the first spot.

With the panoramic Merimbula Lake on one side and the glittering sandy beaches on the other, the Heart of the Sapphire Coast, as it is called, is the true paradise for every traveling angler.

Merimbula offer all sorts of excellent fishing opportunities thanks to its ideal location on Sapphire Coast.

The best spots for fishing are so near one another that one minute you are hooking up Mulloway or Tailor from the beach and the next minute you are battling Trevally and Bream on the Lake.

Inshore is fishing is also great wherein you can target Whiting and Gummy Shark to Tailor, Flathead, and Bream.

All inshore species pretty much bite all year round. If bottom fishing is your favorite, you can go to the reefs to get your hands on Morwong, Pearl Perch, Tasmanian Trumpeter, and Snapper.

12. Broome, Western Australia

Broome is Western Australia’s remote pearling town that got a little bit of everything for fishing aficionados.

The creeks, rivers, and bays are perfect for snagging a Barramundi where you can also fish for many other species such as Threadfin Salmon, Jacks, Cod, and Black-Spotted Croaker.

Cable Beach is the best destination for beach anglers where you can cast from the craggy headlands or along the gutters to catch Blue-Spotted Trevally and Dart.  Northern Bluefin Tuna and Threadfin Salmon can also be found near the shore.

On the left part of Gantheaume Point is another ideal spot for fishing where you can get your hands on Trevally and Queenfish.

There is even more excitement offshore. Anglers can catch Spanish Mackerel, Sailfish, Cobia, Black Marlin, Northern Bluefin Tuna, and Mahi Mahi in these waters rich in nutrients.

13. Gippsland, Victoria

Gippsland area is several hours of driving on the east of Melbourne.

This region that boasts of estuaries, mountain streams, and wild beaches offers excellent places for fishing that cater to all anglers with its mild climate making it an ideal spot no matter what time of the year it is.

Gippsland is famous for the Ninety Mile Beach which happens to be among the world’s longest continuous beaches.

This runs from the famous tourist spot of Lakes Entrance that serves as a home to a huge fishing fleet and runs along all the way to the McLoughlins Beach.

The waters of Gippsland harbor fish species including Trevally, Snapper, Garfish, Bream, and Australian Salmon.

14. Lakes Entrance, Victoria

On the border of Gippsland Lakes, about 300 kilometers from the east of Melbourne, you will find the revered fishing goldmine and tourist hot spot of Lakes Entrance.

With a unique position right beside the Lakes and the panoramic Ninety Mile Beach, it is easy to see why this is the best getaway destination for all families.

This quaint small town will not only amaze you with its stunning beauty as this also offers some great offshore and inshore fishing.

Gippsland Lakes are among the biggest inland water system in the entire Southern Hemisphere.

Due to the extensive network of several inland waterways located nearby, it only means that you will never have any problem finding the best spot for fishing.

The waters between Newlands Arm and Lake Tyers are bountiful with Flathead, Bream, Tailor, Luderick, Mulloway, Salmon, Perch, and Whiting.

If you want to try surf fishing, you can also choose from countless pylons and jetties.

15. The Gold Coast, Queensland

Gold Coast is the perfect representation of a place built around water.

The place overflows with all kinds of waters. Canals, lakes, waterways, and the deep blue ocean surround the city from every side.

One of the premier tourist hot spots in Australia is the Gold Coast and it has quickly grown to become the second-largest city of Queensland.

The city is popular for its beaches for surfing, lush hinterland, exciting nightlife, and entertainment parks.

January and December are traditionally the best months to engage in offshore fishing in the area.

This is the time when you will see the big dogs and Black and Blue Marlin are better than ever.

Wahoo, Yellowfin Tuna, Spanish Mackerel, Sailfish, and Mahi Mahi are also abundant so casting your lines during these months can give you a good catch.

Once the waters cool down, Amberjack, Snapper, Kingfish, and Cobia start biting wherein you can catch them from the months of April through November.

16. Noosa, Queensland

The whole Sunshine Coast is filled with bustling towns and fishing villages built around the reel and hook and while standing in such a crowd can prove to be difficult, Noosa manages to shine bright as one of the world’s best fishing spots.

There are multitudes of fish species that await you when you fish in Noosa and you can also try various techniques as you please. Noosa River’s tranquil waters teem with Tarpon, Bream, Whiting, and Flathead.

You could also experience some excellent real action on the water that stretches for 40 kilometers while you enjoy the scenic environment around.

On the river’s upperparts, you will find the Australian Bass that you would never want to miss if you are a true bass fisherman.

17. The Top End, Northern Territory

Encompassing Kakadu National park and Darwin, the Northern Territory’s tropical northernmost tip or known as “Top End” is popular for some of Australia’s best Barramundi fishing.

The Barra build-up from the months of October to December is the perfect times for fishing when the school of fish in the saltwater estuaries and local billabongs before monsoonal rains pour down the region as well as the Barra run-off from the months of February to May just when the fish gather at the mouths of the river.

The perfect Top End fishing spots include the Adelaide River, Shady Camp’s Mary River, and Daly River.

Summing Up

Indeed, Australia is the true paradise for fisherman as it hosts to some of the most impressive fishing that you can ever find in the whole world.