A million-dollar fishing experience in 7 days

You don’t have to travel far to snag a barramundi in the Top End. You can base yourself in Darwin and enjoy all the comforts of a city stay while venturing out to several of our easily reached fishing hotspots.

Day 1: Dundee

A favourite with Darwinites, Dundee Beach is just 90 minutes from the city by sealed road. This sleepy beachside community spills out on to some of the region’s best blue water fishing spots. There’s a boat ramp – check tide times, as they affect access – and nearby points and exposed reefs are ideal for small boat fishing.

Huge jewfish get caught less than 2km out, while barra are common along the coast. On the top of a big tide, watch out for blue salmon. Out wider, both coral trout and red emperor are regular catches, Spanish mackerel can eat you out of the boat, and cobia are often prolific. Bluewater charters and boat hire are available.

Day 2–3: The Tiwi Islands

Bathurst and Melville Islands – the Tiwi Islands – lie about 80km to the north of Darwin. There’s some great estuary fishing for barra, salmon and mangrove jack, and excellent bluewater fishing around the rocky headlands for queenfish, giant trevally, golden snapper and black jewfish. Marlin and sailfish are caught in the areas known as the ‘Bathurst Trench’ to the north-west of Bathurst Island, the Afghan Shoals south of Cape Fourcroy and around Shepparton Shoals to the west.

This is Aboriginal-owned land, so you need a permit to enter the waters, but the Tiwi Land Council and Traditional Owners have a streamlined permit process. Call the Amateur Fishermen’s Association of the NT (AFANT) on (08) 8945 6455 or visit AFANT to find out more. Accommodation options include lodge and safari tents, both with guided fishing. Travel is by light aircraft from Darwin, and Darwin-based fishing guides also regularly visit the Tiwi Islands.

Day 4: Adelaide River

After 3 days of bluewater fishing it’s time to hit our wild rivers. Access to Adelaide River is 70km east of Darwin via the Stuart and Arnhem Highways. A concrete boat ramp just upstream from the Adelaide River Bridge provides easy access, and the river has many creek mouths that can be fished for barra during both the Wet and the Run-off.

Upstream, around Goat Island, there are submerged rock bars, and around the river mouth there’s excellent fishing for jewfish, golden snapper and saltwater barra. Succulent mud crabs can also be found almost year-round. Guided barra fishing trips to Adelaide River are available from Darwin, and there’s bungalow accommodation on Goat Island, approximately 20km up the river from the Arnhem Highway boat ramp, if you want to do an overnighter.

Day 5: Mary River

With several tidal and billabong barra fishing options less than two hours’ drive from Darwin, the Mary River system has much to offer fishos. The famous Corroboree Billabong has a boat ramp launching into 45km of fishable water, and a range of native wildlife and aquatic bird life as good as you’ll experience anywhere in the tropical Top End. Shady Camp provides boat access to vast mangrove-lined sections of Sampan Creek and Tommycut Creek.

From February to May every year, huge barra are caught trolling at the mouths of both creeks and along the coast of Van Diemen Gulf, wherever there’s run-off into Chambers Bay. On neap tides, boating a few kilometres offshore from the river mouth will place you in the vicinity of shallow reefs, which are home to schools of black jewfish. Tides are critical – you need to time your departure and return with the top of the tide.

The tidal section of Mary River, below the shady camp barrage, is closed to fishing from 1 October to 31 January and special rules apply to fishing within 100m of the barrage itself. Fishing dinghies are available for hire, and professional fishing guides operate for most of the year.

Day 6: Darwin Harbour

Darwin sits on a peninsula surrounded by water. To the west is the vast Darwin Harbour; to the north lies the Timor Sea; to the east is Shoal Bay. Numerous boat ramps service all 3, providing easy access. During the calmest months of October to December, heading out to troll baits for sailfish and marlin is a serious option. You can bottom bounce for those favourite Top End reef fish, black jewfish and golden snapper, almost year-round. Darwin Harbour has 3 major arms and several inlets. Barra, juvenile golden snapper and a variety of other estuary species can be caught in them all.

There are many artificial reefs dotted around, including at Fenton Patches, Adelaide River Mouth, North Gutter and Lee Point, plus several shipwrecks that attract the fish. North-east of Darwin, Shoal Bay and the Howard River are also top barra locations with boat hire and secure parking available for a fee. Large barramundi are regularly caught at ‘the rock’ in Shoal Bay during the build-up.

The area is also renowned for great mud crabbing. Guided barra and/or reef fishing trips in the harbour are available, and there’s secure parking at both Buffalo Creek and Leaders Creek boat ramps to the north. Daily blue water charters depart Cullen Bay Marina, and professional fishing guides can pick you up from your hotel for a one-day or extended barra fishing tour. There are also a number of boat hire outlets and tackle shops.

End your stay with a relaxing day. Start with breakfast at a waterside venue, such as Fannie Bay Cool Spot, The Foreshore Café at Nightcliff or The Boatshed Coffee House at Cullen Bay. Or try the Darwin Waterfront for a resort-style vibe and swim in the Wave Pool. If it’s a Saturday, head to Parap Markets in the morning. If it’s a Sunday, stop in at Nightcliff Markets. Both are packed with food stalls and local arts and crafts – great gifts for those back home.

Jump in the Cage of Death at Crocosaurus Cove in the CBD, where you come nose to snout with a 5m saltwater crocodile, or check out the Darwin Military Museum or a hop on, hop off bus tour of the city. Top off your trip with a casual dining experience in our stunning open spaces thanks to the many street food vendors dotted around Darwin. Visit the City of Darwin website and search ‘street food’ for information about what stalls are where on what days. Looking for one last fix of water? Join a Darwin Harbour sunset cruise, or enjoy dinner overlooking the ocean at the Darwin Trailer Boat Club, Darwin Ski Club, Darwin Sailing Club, or Stokes Hill Wharf.