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So you want to go down under? Whether looking for a specialist fishing trip, a combination of fishing and travel or a location where you can sneak in a fishing rod but not get into too much trouble; we have detailed a few options from around Australia below.
For a brief glimpse of what is on offer from coast to coast, below is a small trailer filmed by Todd Moen of Catch Magazine along with Alex Jardine.
Exmouth, Western Australia
Suitable For: Fishing focused trips, fishing/non-fishing stays, part of longer itineraries in Western Australia.
Accommodation: A variety of accommodation available from self-catered cabins to full board hotels.
Prime fishing targets: giant trevally, queenfish, indo-pacific permit, golden trevally, bonefish.
In the remote far north-west of Australia lies a unique small township called Exmouth, located 1300 kms from Perth. The fishery here is hugely diverse. It can be broken down into three principal areas; bluewater, the Ningaloo reef system and the gulf fishery. This unique fishery shares the aggregation of semi-temperate and tropical species of fish. When this is accompanied with the accessibility, the options of angling become somewhat endless.
Several fly fishing specialist guides operate in the area exploring the flats in search of permit, various trevally species, queenfish, big bonefish and more. A range of accommodation are on offer making it a great destination for solo anglers, groups and those travelling with non-fishing families or partners.
Aroona Fly Fishing, Queensland
Suitable For: Fishing focused trips, part of longer itineraries in Queensland and New South Wales.
Accommodation: Comfortable liveaboard boat, shared cabins
Prime fishing targets: permit, milkfish, giant trevally, blue bastard, queenfish, barramundi, coral trout.
Aroona Fly Fishing has access to the rich waters of East Cape York and the Far Northern Great Barrier Reef in Australia. They offer some of the remotest and untouched flats fly fishing on the planet. From your base aboard the luxury Aroona mothership anglers have the chance to explore the rich variety of water, and fish whilst staying in comfort and looked after by the excellent boat and guide team.
The main fishing focus will be on the flats with the target species including two species of permit (Blochii & Anak), GTs, blue bastard, triggerfish, golden trevally, queenfish, longtail tuna, milkfish, Spanish mackerel, bluefin trevally, bumphead parrotfish, Napoleon wrasse, spangled emperor, coral trout and much more.
The dates of each trip are set around optimal low tides during the day to maximise time for wading. The skiffs are fitted with electric motors for fishing during the high water times and for covering drop offs, bombies and coastal rivers for Barramundi.
Aroona is a 70 ft Motor Yacht that runs remote luxury charters on the Great Barrier Reef all year round. The vessel is designed for running extended charters for a maximum of six guests in comfort. The vessel spends most of its time on the east coast running multi-day tailored adventures out of Cairns.
Hamilton Island, Queensland
Suitable For: Fishing focused trips, fishing/non-fishing stays, part of longer itineraries in Queensland and New South Wales.
Accommodation: A variety of accommodation available from self-catered cabins to the luxurious Qualia Resort.
Prime fishing targets: black marlin, sailfish, giant trevally, queenfish, coral trout.
Due to Hamilton Island’s unique location, with access to both the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef anglers have a huge variety of fishing options, whether looking for a half-day charter or for multiple days on the water. Conventional tackle is the norm in this part of the world, but those looking to try with the fly will also get close to some amazing fish too.
Hamilton Island itself is a resort island with a number of accommodation options available from well-appointed sea view chalets to several hotel options. The jewel in the crown is the Qualia Resort that offers secluded luxury on the northern tip of the island.
Hervey Bay, Queensland
Suitable For: Fishing focused trips, fishing/non-fishing stays, part of longer itineraries in Queensland and New South Wales.
Accommodation: A variety of accommodation available from self-catered cabins to oceanview hotels.
Prime fishing targets: juvenile black marlin, golden trevally, queenfish, longtail tuna.
The flats of Hervey Bay are renowned as one of the birth places of flats fishing in Australia, in the summer months they can see a wide range of species coming up to feed. From tailing golden trevally, cruising queenfish, big GT’s, yellowtail kingfish, black marlin and longtail tuna just to name a few. Targeting these species on fly and lure will certainly get your heart pumping.
There are a range of hotels available for anglers to stay in the town of Hervey Bay. Whether you are looking for somewhere simple with self-catering facilities or something more comfortable offering the sunrise views over the harbour we can tailor this to suit each trip.
Driftwater Lodge, Tasmania
Suitable For: Fishing focused trips, fishing/non-fishing stays, part of longer itineraries in Tasmania, Queensland and New South Wales.
Accommodation: Comfortable boutique homestead.
Prime fishing targets: Brown and rainbow trout.
Fly fishing in Tasmania can be mixed and varied – from casting a tiny dry fly in a small mountain creek to freely rising trout, wading freestone streams with slow flowing riffles and runs or sections with bubbly pocket water. Drifting down meandering meadow rivers in the lodge’s handmade wooden drift boats or exploring the margins of lowland lakes for mayfly feeders.
Driftwater Lodge offers stunning views over the Meander Valley. The century old homestead has been purposely renovated to accommodate both fishing and non fishing guests alike. It is a great base to explore Tasmania, whether it’s with the family, alone or with a bunch of great friends.
For more information on any of the locations above or to look at other spots and longer itineraries please contact Alex Jardine or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.