15 Australia Fishing Trips That Earn Their Price

1.Hook A Barra Fishing Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 283 reviews · from $48Our pick

Spend one hour at Hook-A-Barra in Wonga Beach learning to catch barramundi with rods, tackle, lures, and bait supplied. Guides help beginners handle the fish, while viewing tanks explain this famous Queensland species. Fish range from 50cm to over 1 meter, and all pond catches are released.

“I highly recommend this place for a bit of fun. We caught 3 good sized fish. It’s a great place for kids to attend and get into fishing. Next time I go to Cairns my kids will be with me and we will definitely take them there.”

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2.Out n About Sportfishing for Share and Private Charters on Reef and Estuary

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 203 reviews · from $154

Fish from Port Douglas with a maximum of six people per boat, choosing reef or estuary water as conditions allow. Rods, reels, bait, water, soda, sunscreen, and insect repellent are supplied. Skippers including Malcolm, Sean, Rossco, and Paul are praised for hands-on help with beginners and families.

“The fishing trip was awesome. We were lucky enough to have great weather. It took about 25 min to get out onto the reef and started catching fish straight away. Highly recommend Out n About”

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3.Cairns Estuary Fishing

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 121 reviews

Join Darryl or Dazza from Fish Tales Charters at 6:30 am for 4.5 hours aboard the 19-foot River Rocket. You will fish Trinity Inlet for grunter, fingermark, mangrove jack, queenfish, threadfin, and possibly barramundi, while cruising mangroves where crocodiles may appear. Gear, bait, water, ice, and an esky are included.

“Great experience. Darryl was an excellent host. We did not catch a lot of fish but it wasn’t from a lack of effort. It was a beautiful stretch of water and got to see a lot of the estuary system. We would come again if we are in Cairns.”

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4.4H Snorkeling and Fishing Cruise on Magnetic Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 53 reviews · from $114

Join local operator Drew for a four-hour cruise around Magnetic Island, limited to eight people. You can snorkel at bays such as Florence and Arthur, fish with supplied gear, explore boat-only viewpoints, and hear lively island stories. The route changes with conditions, and whale sightings are possible at certain times of year.

“This trip is run by an owner/operator local, Drew. He caters for those who love fishing, for snorkelers with top quality gear or for those who just want to soak up the sun on a secluded beach. Very engaging commentary all the way, Drew knows the history of the island, lovRead more”

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5.Hook-A-Barra Fishing and Farm Activity

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 47 reviews · from $78

Spend 2.5 hours at Hook-A-Barra near Wonga Beach with a small group of up to eight. Luke, Lee, Gaz, and Flynn are among the guides who lead the farm visit, explain barramundi production, teach you how to fish the big pond, and serve a tasting platter featuring barra prepared three ways.

“Absolutely amazing. Tasting platter was delicious. The staff were very nice and helpful. And of course, the fishing, it was great. My son had the time of his life.”

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6.1/2 Day 5 Hour Offshore Fishing Charter

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 41 reviews · from $175

Join Deep Sea Fishing Co. Noosa for a five-hour offshore trip from Noosa Marina aboard a 36-foot Cougar catamaran. The crew, including skippers such as Clint and deckhand Seb, supplies bait, tackle, water and refreshments. Fish for reef species, mackerel, tuna and more, then take home your cleaned catch.

“The Boat caught a Couple of Sharks and many other smaller fish that were returned. Skipper filleted the Fish and everyone on the boat got a really good fillet to take home for tea, Great trip. Getting out of Noosa heads is something that you will never forget”

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7.Gold Coast’s Broadwater Private Calm Water Fishing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · from $358

Start at 7:00 am from Howard Street Boat Ramp in Runaway Bay for about five hours aboard Beachcomber. Andreas and Cooper provide rods, tackle, fishing tips, snacks, bottled water, and soft drinks as you fish the sheltered Broadwater with your private group of up to eight.

“Andreas and Cooper were the best. So much fun fishing and chatting. Andreas was very knowledgeable. Cooper was very patient and helpful.”

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8.From Port Douglas: Barramundi Pond Fishing with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 21 reviews · 3h 30m · from $109

Ride the Barramobile from Port Douglas to Hook-A-Barra in the Daintree for a farm tour, viewing tanks, lunch, and one hour of guided catch-and-release fishing. Guides such as Michael, Leigh, Steve, and Adam help beginners land large barramundi, with smaller fish available for a near-guaranteed catch.

“I really didn’t know what to expect when I booked this tour, it was incredible. Michael (our guide) was extremely informative and friendly. We all had a wonderful time. Our groups age range was from 4-75. The 4yo helped real in a Barra and had an absolute ball. I would 100% recommend.”

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9.Wonga Beach: Hook-A-Barra Fishing Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 16 reviews · 1h 30m · from $47Best value

At Daintree Saltwater Barramundi Farm in Wonga Beach, you get 90 minutes around stocked barramundi ponds, with about an hour of catch and release fishing. Guides supply the tackle, bait, and beginner instruction. You can also visit viewing tanks, try fly fishing, or simply watch the action.

“Hook-a-Barra is an absolute ripper! 🌟 Kids had a BLAST catching those barra's - so much fun, they didn't wanna leave! Staff were super friendly, made the day extra special. Worth every dollar, would definitely come back! 🐟 Thanks for an awesome day, Hook-a-Barra crew!”

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10.Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Fishing Charter with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 12 reviews · 9 hours · from $240

Join Cairns Reef Fishing for a full day on the Great Barrier Reef, targeting Coral Trout, Red Emperor, Large Mouth Nannygai, and Spanish Mackerel. Guides including Eddie, Devon, Andrew, and Stan help with bait, tackle, and landing fish. The $240 fare includes gear, lunch, afternoon tea, water, reef taxes, and cleaned catch.

“was good but probably would have been better if there was more of a water flow. I know that's just the weather need more rain :) not sure we would do it again though. was a lovely experience and the guides were great :)”

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11.Cairns: Morning Estuary Fishing Charter

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 8 reviews · 4h 30m · from $106

Meet your English-speaking guide at Cairns Marlin Marina at 6:30am for a 4.5-hour fishing trip through Trinity Inlet. Fish Tales Charters supplies PENN Slammer reels, rods, bait, tackle, water, and an ice-filled esky. Darryl has earned warm praise for his friendly help, while catches may include grunter, salmon, sharks, barramundi, queenfish, and trevally.

“Both my wife and my younger girl (7yo) caught a grunter and a salmon each. I caught an eel which got away. Apart from these we (including my 11yo girl) caught a bunch of sharks. Overall a very good day despite the rain!!”

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12.Full Day 9 Hour Offshore Fishing Charter

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · from $247

You’ll leave Noosa Marina at 6:00 am aboard Catch 22, Deepsea 7, or Deepsea 11 for roughly nine hours offshore. The crew takes you to outer reefs, often 1.5 to 2 hours away, targeting snapper, pearl perch, mackerel, tuna, and more. Bait, tackle, meals, water, safety gear, and fish cleaning are included.

“This was my 4th trip out with the team at Deep Sea Fishing Co Noosa, and it was on my birthday! I have been on different boats, with different crew, both half and full day trips, in sun, rain and swell! I can genuinely say without any hesiRead more”

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13.Freshwater or Saltwater Barramundi Fishing Day Trip from Darwin

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 7 reviews · from $321

Leave Darwin at 5:00 am for a private barramundi trip with Spring Tide Safaris. Your guide chooses freshwater or saltwater fishing grounds based on tide and conditions, taking you to places such as Corroboree Billabong, Shady Camp, Darwin Harbour, Adelaide River, or Bynoe Harbour. Lunch, snacks, water, transport, and local guidance are included.

“Didn’t catch any fish in our trip but had a great day, host was very helpful, friendly, knowledgeable, organised. Would use again.”

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14.3/4 Day 7 Hour Offshore Fishing Charter

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $211

Set out from Noosa Marina aboard Catch 22 for a small-group offshore fishing trip of about seven hours. Clint and Jack may guide you to reefs up to 15 nautical miles offshore, where you can fish for coral trout, snapper, pearl perch, mackerel, tuna, and other local species. Bait, tackle, tea, water, and cleaned fish are included.

“Clint the skipper and jack the decky were fantastic, good boat, good vibes. Good rods and well setup, will definitely book again.”

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15.Half-Day Deep Sea Fishing in Wollongong – Weekdays only

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $143

Start at 6am from Wollongong Harbour aboard Aquilla Fishing Charters’ 60ft Conquest. Your six-hour weekday trip includes rods, tackle, bait, fishing licence, crew help, coffee, tea, biscuits, and a beef sausage breakfast. Fish from Stanwell Park to Shellharbour, sometimes up to 10 nautical miles offshore, and take home legal catches gutted and cleaned.

“Wow we caught fish I’ve never seen! There was just a rainbow of fish waiting to be hooked. Now eating one of the fish same day I have never had such a delicious fish in my life. It was a beautiful red color.”

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