Fishing’s part of the Aussie DNA – whether you’re flicking a line in a local creek, chasing barra in the Top End, or throwing lures off the reef. There’s nothing like the buzz of a good catch and the chance to get out on the water or by the river.
But with so many spots across the country, it can be hard to know where to head, and when you’ll have the best chance of landing the big one. That’s why we’ve pulled together this no-nonsense guide to Australia’s best fishing destinations, from top freshwater holes to coastal gems, plus the best times to fish them.
So, if you’re keen to up your game and find some cracking spots, let’s get stuck in.
Top Fishing Spots in Australia
1. Victoria’s Great River Road & Upper Murray River
The Great River Road runs alongside the Upper Murray River from Bellbridge near Lake Hume, through Walwa, Towong and Corryong, all the way to Khancoban and the edge of the Snowies. If you’re looking for fishing spots along the GRR, the stretch from Bellbridge to Khancoban is hard to beat.
Locals work the Murray River near Walwa and Towong for Murray cod through summer, throwing surface lures around fallen timber at dawn and dusk. Around Jingellic, you’ll find Yellowbelly sitting deeper, soft vibes and small hardbodies get the job done. Head upstream past Corryong towards Khancoban Pondage when the weather cools for solid brown and rainbow trout, especially in spring and autumn. The Snowy Mountains tail end is a good bet too if you’re chasing trout in clearer (faster) water.
It’s all pretty laid-back country. Most spots are easy to pull into off the road, have a yarn with locals, and see what’s biting that week.
2. The Great Barrier Reef, QLD
You’ve got everything here – coral trout on the bommies, giant trevally smashing poppers over reef edges, and if you want to really stretch your arms, heavy tackle for black marlin off Cairns from September to December.
Closer in, blokes drift pilchards or drop jigs for red emperor and Nannygai. If you’re up around Cooktown or Lizard Island, you’re in prime marlin country come spring. Down south near the Whitsundays and Mackay, it’s more about reefies year-round, just watch the wind – it can blow up rough as guts from November through March.
Best bet is to check the trade winds before you go, aim for the dry season (May to October) for calmer days, and be ready to book a charter if you want to get out wide where the big stuff lives.
3. Kimberley Coast, WA
The Kimberley Coast up in WA is all about chasing barra and threadfin salmon in some of the most untouched water you’ll find. Most people base themselves out of Derby or Broome and fish spots like the Fitzroy River or the creek systems feeding into King Sound. Further north, places like Doubtful Bay and the Prince Regent River are known for big barra and the odd jewfish if you drop deeper.
The dry season from May to October is when you want to be there – roads are open, humidity’s down, and you’re not battling the wet. Tides make a huge difference, so our tip is to aim for the neaps when there’s less run; it makes the creek fishing way easier and you’re more likely to see fish sitting up in the snags. A local guide’s also worth it to get you into the trickier backwaters without wasting time.
4. Tasmania’s Rivers & Lakes
Looking to chase browns? The Meander, Mersey and Tyenna Rivers all deliver – tight little pockets, undercut banks, and clear runs where you’ll spot fish sitting under the shadows waiting for a small nymph or spinner. For rainbows, head up to the Central Highlands. Arthur’s Lake is famous for polaroiding trout cruising the edges, while Little Pine Lagoon’s a dry fly spot that’s about as good as it gets on the mainland side.
It’s prime from October through April, when the hatches kick off and the fish are feeding hard. Early season is fat browns fresh off winter, then it rolls right through to late autumn with fewer boots on the banks.
If you’re up for proper overnight hiking, the Western Lakes are where it gets serious. Pack light, hike in, camp by one of the countless little tarns and spend the days spotting single fish moving over the sand patches. It’s all sight fishing out there, one bad cast and you’re watching a swirl where a trout used to be.
5. NT’s Top End (Darwin, Kakadu, Arnhem Land)
Once the wet season’s finished dumping, the floodplains start draining around February, and that’s when the barra head into the billabongs and creeks, fat and hungry. You’re looking at prime fishing from February through to May, when the water’s still high but clearing, and those barra are smashing surface lures and big soft plastics left, right and centre.
We’ve got a few recommended fishing spots in Kakadu, like Jim Jim Billabong and Magela Creek are go-tos, while the South Alligator River and the creeks around Jabiru have plenty of fish ready to charge your lure. Arnhem Land’s remote waterways are a step up in adventure (less pressure, but you need to know someone or book a guide to get in).
Our tip? The run-off season means tides and water levels change fast, so keep an eye on local reports and be ready to move spots quick. Barra love following baitfish into shallow edges just before the tide turns, that’s when you want to be on the cast.
6. Sydney & NSW South Coast
From the rock platforms around Bundeena and Royal National Park, to the estuaries near Botany Bay and Wollongong, and the beaches stretching down to Jervis Bay. Bream love the estuaries and calm bays, snapper show up around rocky points and offshore reefs, and kingfish cruise the deeper gutters near headlands like Kiama.
Spring and summer are the go-to seasons here, with warmer water bringing plenty of action. If you’re chasing snapper off the rocks near Norah Head or just outside Sydney Heads, remember to stay safe while rock fishing – those swell and slipper rocks catch a lot of blokes out each year. Life jackets and a good pair of boots aren’t negotiable if you want to keep fishing another day.
Tides play a big role. Low tide exposes great rock ledges and gutters, and the incoming tide gets bait moving, firing up the feed. Around Botany Bay, the snapper bite often heats up just before dusk, so timing your session is key.
7. SA’s Eyre Peninsula
The Eyre Peninsula’s coast around Port Lincoln and Coffin Bay is where the big fish hang out. We mean chunky tuna tearing through schools of bait, kingfish cruising the reefs, and snapper stacking up on the deeper edges. Late summer into autumn is when the bite really sharpens, with calmer seas and steady water temps giving the fish every reason to bite.
Fishing here often means getting off the beaten track and setting up camp close to the water. Knowing your essential camping supplies is key – think solid shelter against the coastal wind, plenty of water, and good lighting for early starts and late finishes. The local spots like Lincoln National Park have rough ground, so sturdy boots and reliable gear make all the difference when you’re hauling in the big ones after a day on the rocks or from the boat.
Quick Tips Before You Go
Before we jump in there are a couple of things to note. Licences. You will need a licence pretty much everywhere you go, so don’t be that guy! Check out the rules as well. Size limits, bag limits and legal fish change from area to area quite dramatically.
Marine parks are there for a reason and respecting them will only keep the fishing better for longer. Observe the zones, do not take the protected fish, and leave no trace – pack it in, pack it out.
Gear up sensibly, don’t forget the sunscreen, a hat and lots of water, the sun out here is no joke. If you’re going out and about in remote places, you won’t go far wrong with a first aid kit and some spare line.
Do you want to hire a guide or not? Guides know the local secrets, can find the fish for you, and will skirt past the no-nos if you need. But if you fancy your chances, fair enough! Just be sure to do your research and respect the water.
Enjoy and tight lines!
