Australia is world-renowned for the incredible fishing adventures it offers. Boasting thousands of kilometres of fertile and beautiful coastline, this sole continent is unmatched in the abundance and variety of fish species it has. As if coastal wonderlands weren’t enough, the land of Oz possesses countless lakes and rivers teeming with fish and aquatic organisms, as well. With more than 5,000 fish species to choose from, and a multitude of spectacular locations to see, picking your spot can be a little daunting and confusing since you have so many options to choose from. If this is causing you some confusion on what areas to choose from, we recommend starting out with the well-known fishing spots first, before you pursue hidden coves and waterscapes.

Choosing to go to well-known spots can help you get the feel of what’s like to fish in Australia and you won’t get lost because you’re somewhere accessible. There will be people and places where you can seek help if you need it. Here is a list of the most well-known fishing spots in Australia and what fish species you can catch there:

The Top End, Northern Territory

Encompassing Darwin and Kakadu National Park, 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. 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 Rivers are top spots to fish by boat. However, beware of saltwater crocodiles as they can pose danger to you.

Canberra

In addition to discovering the political centre of the country, you’ll also find some amazing lakes in Canberra that are perfect for a day of fishing in your centre console aluminium boat. If you’re looking for cod, redfin or golden perch, you might get lucky.

Tasmania

This little island off the coast of Victoria boasts some of the best saltwater and freshwater fish in Australia. Most of the lakes and other freshwater sources hold trout, and you can find many saltwater species off the coast such as the Western yellowfin bream, Pacific bonefish, banded rock cod, and marlin species such as black marlin and striped marlin.

Mallacoota, Victoria

Mallacoota is a small town located in the eastern region of Victoria. Off the coast, you can find salmon and gummy sharks, as well as snapper, kingfish and flathead. In addition to the fish, Mallacoota is a relaxing visit for tourists, with attractions like its wilderness coast.

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 such as cod, jacks, and threadfin salmon. If you’re more interested in shore fishing, you can head to the pristine aquamarine waters of Cable Beach. The northern bluefin tuna can be found close to shore, too.

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 go and bring your Yellowfin boat with you. This boat is built to house gamefish. The area from Cairns northwards along to the reef and along the continental shelf are incredibly rich in baitfish and plankton and also attract species such as yellowfin tuna, Spanish mackerel, mahi-mahi (or also known as dorado in some areas), barracuda, wahoo, and sailfish. It's no surprise that trolling and spearfishing are some of the most popular types of fishing you can do in Cairns.