A must do for fishermen (avid or aspiring) and a unique and diverse Australian angling experience in some of the world’s last great wild fisheries. From world-class reef fishing, to the excitement of game fishing. No matter what your level of experience, these Luxury Lodges of Australia will seduce hook, line and sinker!

Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland

On the northern-most tip of the Great Barrier Reef, the surrounding waters of Lizard Island resort boast some of the most exciting game fishing in the world. All fishing is conducted in accordance with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s zoning.

What will I do there?

  • Black Marlin fishing season is from September – December. The famous Lizard Island Classic is held in October, for 7 days and each year fish weighing a massive 1,000 pounds are caught, tagged and released.
  • Expect to catch anything from Spanish mackerel to tuna, queenfish, trevally, Mahi–mahi, giant dart, sailfish or coral trout and red emperor.
  • Private Fishing Charter – The MV Fascination III is a 51 foot Riviera Platinum Model Flybridge Cruiser that has a cruise speed of 20 knots and can take up to 10 passengers (including crew). These charters are flexible and fully geared to your choice of activity. You may choose to combine fishing with snorkelling or diving or maybe visit a nearby coral island for the day.

True North Adventures, The Kimberley, Western Australia

Long revered as one of Australia’s outstanding adventures, True North Adventures offers access to wilderness and go where no other ships can go. Spacious cabins feature modern décor with ensuites. Expert crew, onboard helicopter and dedicated adventure boats provide guests with a range of outstanding fishing experiences in The Kimberley and wild coastal regions.

What will I do there?

  • Do battle with the iconic barramundi, the elusive mangrove jack, finger mark bream, golden snapper, jewfish, pink snapper, whiting and even mighty sailfish.
  • Land the catch of the day and then stay alongside as the chef demonstrates the processes involved in preparing the evening meal.
  • Hone your skills – the luxury of so many tenders means you can fish in comfort and receive individual attention.

Capella Lodge, Lord Howe Island, New South Wales

Capella Lodge is Lord Howe Island’s luxury retreat, offering the ideal island castaway escape. Surrounded by marine park and with no commercial fishery, the diversity of species, terrain, methods and the sheer abundance of fish, rank Lord Howe among the world’s top fishing destinations.

What will I do there?

  • World Class Game Fishing – hook black, blue and striped marlin, as little as half an hour from the jetty.
  • Fish one of the dozens of hot spots for monster pelagic species such as Lord Howe kingfish, yellowfin tuna and wahoo.
  • Score the trifecta. The local sport fishing ‘grand slam’ is to catch a trevally, silver drummer, bluefish and the endemic double-header.

Saffire Freycinet, Freycinet Peninsula, Tasmania

What will I do there?

  • Premium dry fly fishing at one of Tasmania’s great wilderness properties, Currawong Lakes. The property boasts exceptional hatches of aquatic and terrestrial insect life – in particular Red Spinners which start regularly in late October and continue on until the end of the Tasmanian trout season in late March.

  • Go fishing off the rocky shoreline in front of Saffire. Flathead, Bream, calamari squid and Australian salmon can be caught in Great Oyster Bay. Fly a lure or bait a line whilst enjoying the ever changing light on the Hazards.

 

Mt Mulligan Lodge, Northern Outback, Queensland

What will I do there?

  •  Try your luck catching a Red Claw before enjoying a cheese platter and some cold beverages before the sun goes down on another day on the Hodgkinson River at Ah Bowers (Mulligan’s Waterhole).
  • Take in the scenery and stillness of the bush and even pack a fishing rod to try your hand ‘yak angling’ for the elusive Barramundi.
  • The weir at Mount Mulligan is home to Australian Barramundi. Cast your line from the weir’s banks or from a kayak. Mature Barramundi can be brought back to the lodge and prepared to your liking by the Chef.

Although each lodge does keep the occasional catch for the dinner table, they are committed to responsible fishing and a ‘catch and release’ policy is practised. For further inspiration, Great Fishing Adventures of Australia also endorse sustainable fishing practices.

There’s more Water Based Adventure experiences here.