Saltwater

Why fly fishing in Australia

Australia offers fabulously diverse fly fishing opportunities, combining tropical saltwater fisheries with world-class trout waters spread across a vast and varied landscape. 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, there will be something for you here.

What makes fly fishing in Australia so special

Exmouth, on the remote north-west coast, is famous for exceptional flats fishing, and anglers can target bonefish, permit, giant trevally, queenfish, and a host of other species against the backdrop of the Ningaloo Reef. On the east coast of Queensland, destinations such as Aroona, Hamilton Island, and Hervey Bay provide access to productive estuaries, mangrove systems, flats, and offshore waters, offering shots at barramundi, queenfish, trevally, and golden trevally. Tasmania is internationally recognised for its wild brown trout fisheries, where crystal-clear rivers, streams, and lakes deliver excellent sight fishing for trout. This remarkable variety allows anglers to combine tropical saltwater fly fishing with classic freshwater trout fishing, making Australia one of the most complete and rewarding fishing destinations in the world.

Key fly fishing species in Australia

Australia’s diverse fisheries support an exceptional range of freshwater and saltwater species:

Aardvark McLeod expertise in Australia

Aardvark McLeod has extensive experience organising fly fishing holidays in Australia. Our team understands the significant differences between Australia’s diverse fisheries and can advise on the best destinations, seasons, and guiding options based on your target species and preferred style of fishing.

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Aroona Fly Fishing

Aroona Fly Fishing has access to the rich waters of Australia’s east Cape York and the far northern Great Barrier Reef. These waters offer some of the most remote and

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Weipa, West Cape, Queensland, Australia, fly fishing, Aardvark McLeod

Cape Lodge, Queensland

Western Cape, on the northernmost tip of Australia, is a vast fishery with more than 100 miles of coastline and includes 11 rivers and river flats. Together, these combine to

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Cocos Keeling Island, Australia, Aardvark McLeod

Cocos Keeling Island

Cocos Keeling Island, a stunning tropical atoll in the Indian Ocean, is located a little over five hours from Perth. The main attraction on this 14km sq lagoon are the

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Coral Sea

The Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea make up over 50% of the world’s tropical coral reef system so it’s no surprise that there are more fish living here than

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Exmouth, Australia, Aardvark McLeod, trevally, sailfish, permit

Exmouth

In the remote far north-west of Australia, some 1300km from Perth, lies the small township of Exmouth. The fishery here is hugely diverse and can be broken down into three

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Hervey Bay

The sheltered waters of Fraser Island and Hervey Bay offer one of the very few places in Australia that has an overlap of southern and northern fish species. Snapper, barramundi,

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Qualia Resort Hamilton Island

On the northern tip of Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays, Qualia is one of Queensland’s most serene and beautiful escapes. The idyllic resort has had no-expense-spared, and all 30 acres of immaculately

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