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Best fishing destinations in Oceania

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Cairns
Gateway to Reef and Rainforest Wonders
8.1
The giant black marlin season runs from late September to December. Granders weigh over 1,000 pounds and several are caught each season. Most are released and only occasionally is a giant brought to the dock. Heavy tackle banks stretch more than 150 miles between Lizard Island and Cairns.
Highlights:
  • 💦 Explore the tropical waterfalls and swimming holes of Atherton Tablelands
  • 🚡 Ride the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway above the treetops
  • 🐠 Snorkel or dive in the Great Barrier Reef
Bay of Islands
Sunlit coves echo with ancient legends
9.4
Author Zane Grey was invited by the New Zealand government in 1925. He reached Cape Brett in 1926 and landed a 111 pound yellowtail kingfish. He introduced marlin and shark sport fishing to New Zealanders. In 1927 he built a camp and lodge at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island.
Highlights:
  • 🏰 Visit Waitangi Treaty Grounds, learn indigenous history
  • 🛶 Kayak through limestone caves at Te Puna Marae
  • ⛵ Sail to Russell, explore historic whaling village
Ningaloo Coast
Australia's Accessible Underwater Wonderland
9.1
Waters off Exmouth are said to hold all six Australian billfish species. Other catches include wahoo, mahi mahi, cobia, Spanish mackerel and giant trevally. The Exmouth Game Fishing Club has over 500 members. Its GAMEX tournament is held every March. Tantabiddi Boat Ramp serves Ningaloo Lagoon, Ningaloo Reef and the open Indian Ocean.
Highlights:
  • 🏞️ Explore Cape Range National Park’s rugged gorges
  • 🤿 Snorkel vibrant coral reefs from sandy beaches
  • 🦈 Swim with gentle whale sharks off the coast
Australia
Land of savage beauty
9.6
Barramundi grow up to 1.4 metres long and weigh more than 40 kilograms. Tidal estuaries and rivers of the Northern Territory are among the best places to catch them. The Great Barrier Reef holds more than 1,600 species of fish. Black marlin and giant trevally are caught there.
Highlights:
  • 🌉 Climb Sydney Harbour Bridge for panoramic harbor views
  • 🌅 Watch the sunrise over Uluru in the Red Centre
  • 🐠 Snorkel or dive the Great Barrier Reef’s coral gardens
Christmas Island
Island Paradise of Red Crabs
8.3
Steep drop offs near shore let anglers start trolling about two minutes from the boat ramp. Catches include giant trevally, dogtooth tuna, yellowfin tuna, wahoo and sailfish. Anglers also fish from the Flying Fish Cove jetty. Monsoon swell from December to April can limit boat fishing. Land based fishing is possible all year.
Highlights:
  • 🌿 Explore the rainforest trails of Christmas Island National Park
  • 🐠 Snorkel among coral gardens and reef fish at Flying Fish Cove
  • 🦀 Witness the spectacular annual red crab migration
South Island
Majestic fjords and alpine peaks
9.3
The Rai River holds over 200 fish per kilometre above the falls. It allows fly fishing only. The Motueka River has browns of 2 to 5 pounds in high density. The Eglinton River flows through a large meadow in Fiordland National Park. Haast River estuary browns are available year round.
Highlights:
  • 🚤 Explore Fiordland's Milford Sound sunset cruise
  • ⛵ Cruise Abel Tasman National Park
  • 🏞️ Hike Tongariro Alpine Crossing sunrise
Papua New Guinea
Last paradise of South Pacific
5.7
The Papuan Coast is 30 to 40 minutes from Port Moresby. Giant trevally is the most sought after offshore catch. Papuan black bass is the top river target and barramundi comes second. The Fly River is the second longest river in the country. A typical trip means six fishing days plus two travel days.
Highlights:
  • 🥾 Trek the historic Kokoda Track through dense rainforest
  • 🎭 Meet the colorful tribes at the Mount Hagen Festival
  • 🤿 Dive among WWII wrecks in Rabaul’s volcanic waters
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