If there’s one thing that can get anglers dreaming about the Northern Territory, it’s barramundi.
Every year, as the weather warms and the Top End’s rivers, wetlands and floodplains come alive, anglers head north for the chance to land a fish worth a life-changing amount of money.
And the hunt is about to begin again! This season, one lucky barramundi is carrying an incredible $1 million tag, while 100 more barra worth $10,000 have been activated across Top End fishing regions.
Million Dollar Fish has become one of the Territory’s biggest fishing adventures, with prize-tagged barramundi released across fishing regions including Darwin, Kakadu, Katherine, the Tiwi Islands and Arnhem Land.
Register for the Million Dollar Fish HERE
But the best part of a fishing trip to the NT is that there’s plenty to do when you’re not casting a line.
Spend a few days exploring Darwin before heading into the wetlands. Camp beside a river, spot crocodiles and birdlife, explore ancient Aboriginal rock art, swim in a seasonal waterhole or take the long way through the Territory’s wide-open landscapes.
Follow the fish, stay awhile and discover what’s beyond the riverbank in the Northern Territory’s Best Kept Season.
Planning a fishing road trip? Use CamperMate to find campgrounds, holiday parks, attractions and places to explore along the way..
1. Darwin Harbour
Fish close to the action
You don’t have to venture deep into the Top End to get amongst some serious fishing.
Darwin Harbour puts you close to the city while giving anglers access to a diverse mix of Top End fishing. Depending on where and how you fish, you can target barramundi alongside species such as golden snapper, black jewfish and Spanish mackerel.
For visitors without a boat, guided fishing charters are an easy way to get onto the water and make the most of local knowledge. Experienced anglers can also explore a number of waterways and coastal fishing spots around Darwin, including Buffalo Creek, Leaders Creek and the Saltwater Arm.
Prefer to keep your feet on dry land? Nightcliff Jetty, Stokes Hill Wharf, East Point and the Buffalo Creek/Casuarina area all offer opportunities to throw in a line without heading offshore.
Beyond the fishing
Darwin is the perfect place to ease into a Territory fishing adventure.
Watch the sun disappear over the Arafura Sea at Mindil Beach, then browse the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets when they're operating. Spend an afternoon around the Darwin Waterfront, where you can swim, eat at Wharf One, relax by the water or in the wave pool, or try a jet ski experience.
You can also explore the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, discover Darwin's food and market scene, or get in the water and try an epic crocodile experience.
Where to stay
Darwin's caravan and holiday parks make a comfortable base for exploring the city and surrounding fishing spots. Spend a few nights here before continuing your road trip into the Top End.
Best for: Short fishing breaks, first-time visitors and travellers who want to combine fishing with city experiences.
2. Mary River & Shady Camp
Get into wild barra country
Head east from Darwin and the landscape quickly starts to feel more remote.
The Mary River is one of the Top End's renowned barramundi fishing systems, with Shady Camp offering anglers access to a wild landscape of waterways, billabongs, floodplains and paperbark forests.
This is the kind of fishing destination where the surroundings are part of the experience. Keep an eye out across the wetlands as you move between fishing spots and you could encounter wallabies, buffalo, crocodiles and an incredible variety of birdlife.
Corroboree Billabong and the wider Mary River region are also popular for wetland and wildlife experiences, making it easy to build a day around more than fishing.
Beyond the fishing
Slow down and experience the wetlands.
Take a wildlife cruise, go birdwatching or simply watch the floodplains change colour as the sun rises or sets. The Mary River region is particularly rewarding for travellers who want to swap city sights for open skies, wildlife and a genuine sense of being in the Top End.
Where to stay
Rather than treating Shady Camp as a quick stop, stay nearby and give yourself time to experience the area.
There’s something special about returning to camp after a day on the water, cooking dinner and watching the Territory landscape settle in for the evening.
Best for: Anglers wanting a more remote, nature-focused fishing experience.
3. Daly River & Douglas Daly
Chase the metre
For many anglers, the Daly River is synonymous with serious barramundi fishing.
This is classic Northern Territory fishing country, with the river and surrounding waterways offering the chance to spend several days immersed in the landscape rather than simply stopping for a quick cast.
Fishing around the Daly River and Douglas Daly can be done independently where access allows, while guided fishing experiences are another option for visitors who don't have a boat or local knowledge.
Places such as Oolloo Crossing are also worth exploring beyond the fishing rod, giving you another reason to slow down and take in the river country.
Beyond the fishing
The Daly is as much about the road trip as it is the fishing.
Take your time travelling through the surrounding outback landscape, explore the river country and embrace the slower pace of a classic Territory adventure. After a day on the water, settle into camp and enjoy the simple pleasure of having nowhere else to be.
Where to stay
Make the Daly River a two- or three-night base rather than a one-night stop.
Accommodation and camping options in the region include;
Best for: Serious fishos and travellers looking for a classic NT fishing road trip.
4. Kakadu National Park
Fish legendary rivers, explore an ancient landscape
Fishing in Kakadu National Park is about much more than catching a barra.
The South Alligator River, East Alligator River and Yellow Water are all part of the park's incredible network of waterways, giving anglers the opportunity to combine fishing with some of Australia's most iconic natural and cultural experiences.
We recommend staying at Yellow Water Campground, and taking the scnenic Billabong Cruise.
Access to fishing areas, boat ramps and other sites can vary with conditions and seasonal access, so check current park information before setting out.
And wherever you're fishing in Top End croc country, Crocwise behaviour is essential.
Beyond the fishing
This is where a fishing trip becomes a full Northern Territory adventure.
Explore Ubirr and its ancient Aboriginal rock art, visit Burrungkuy (Nourlangie), take a Yellow Water cruise through the wetlands or simply spend time watching wildlife across Kakadu's floodplains.
Depending on conditions and access, seasonal swimming spots including Maguk, Gunlom, Motor Car Falls and Moline Rockhole can add another dimension to your trip.
And don't rush Cahills Crossing. It's an iconic Kakadu sight and local fishing hotspot, but crocodile safety and current conditions should always come first.
Where to stay
Base yourself around Jabiru or Cooinda and give Kakadu the time it deserves. Accommodation options include Aurora Kakadu Lodge, alongside established camping areas throughout the park.
If you're visiting Kakadu, remember to organise your Kakadu National Park Pass before entering the park.
Purchase your Kakadu National Park Pass
Best for: Travellers who want fishing, Aboriginal culture, wildlife and iconic Territory landscapes in one trip.
5. Katherine & the Victoria River
Go beyond the Top End
Keep heading south and the fishing adventure continues.
The Katherine region opens up another side of the Territory, with fishing opportunities around the Victoria River, Timber Creek, Mataranka and the Roper River.
The Victoria River is particularly appealing for anglers who want to combine fishing with a road trip through some of the NT's rugged landscapes, while the Katherine and Mataranka areas give you plenty of reasons to stay longer.
Beyond the fishing
Swap the fishing rod for a paddle, walking shoes or your swimmers.
Explore Nitmiluk National Park and Katherine Gorge, soak in the Katherine Hot Springs, or head further south to the warm waters of Bitter Springs and Mataranka Thermal Pool.
It's an easy reminder that in the NT, one adventure can lead straight into another.
Where to stay
Katherine makes a convenient base for exploring the region, whether you're travelling south from Darwin or continuing towards the Victoria River and Timber Creek.
Best for: Road trippers who want to add fishing, swimming, hiking and gorge country to their NT adventure.
6. Arnhem Land
An off-grid fishing adventure
For anglers looking to go properly remote, Arnhem Land is in another league.
East Arnhem Land is renowned for the quality, size and variety of fish in its waters, with barramundi, mangrove jack, red emperor, Spanish mackerel, coral trout and other species on offer. For experienced anglers chasing an even bigger challenge, the region also offers opportunities for blue marlin and sailfish.
Here, the fishing is only part of the attraction.
Remote rivers, estuaries, reefs, islands and coastline create a feeling of genuine escape, while fishing charters and local operators can help visitors access areas that would otherwise be difficult to reach.
Stay for the adventure
Make the journey part of the experience.
Travel the Central Arnhem Road, explore remote beaches and waterways, and experience one of Australia's great wilderness regions. The Central Arnhem Road is largely unsealed, and a 4WD is recommended.
Arnhem Land is also Aboriginal land, and travelling through the region requires visitors to respect Traditional Owners and follow the appropriate access arrangements.
Permits may be required for travelling through Aboriginal land, accessing recreational areas, camping and fishing. Some intertidal fishing areas also require a fishing permit.
For many travellers, joining an accredited fishing operation or guided experience is the best way to access remote areas responsibly and make the most of local knowledge.
Where to stay
Best for: Anglers looking for a truly remote, bucket-list fishing experience where the destination is every bit as memorable as the catch.
7. Tiwi Islands
Cast a line somewhere extraordinary
If you're looking for a fishing trip that feels far removed from everyday life, consider heading offshore to the Tiwi Islands.
The islands are one of the Northern Territory's recognised Million Dollar Fish fishing regions and offer opportunities to get onto the water with experienced fishing operators.
Expect a combination of tropical waterways, bluewater fishing and remote island scenery, with guided fishing charters making it easier to explore the region.
And when you're not fishing, take the opportunity to learn more about the Tiwi people's culture, art and connection to Country by taking the Tiwi Islands Cultural Day Tour by Ferry from Darwin
Best for: Anglers looking to turn a fishing trip into a remote island adventure.
Fishing Season: Why October to March?
The Northern Territory's fishing calendar is one of the reasons anglers keep coming back.
October to March brings the heart of the Top End's wet-season period, when rising water levels transform rivers, billabongs and floodplains. For barramundi anglers, it can be an exciting time to be on the water as fish move through the changing waterways.
It's also when Million Dollar Fish traditionally brings an extra level of excitement to fishing in the Territory.
The competition has released prize-tagged barramundi across the NT's major fishing regions, giving anglers another reason to plan a fishing trip and explore beyond their usual spots.
The exact competition dates and prize structure change from season to season, so check the official Million Dollar Fish website before travelling.
Find out more about Million Dollar Fish
But don't make the competition the only reason you come north.
Let's be honest: we all spend more time casting than catching.
That's exactly why the best NT fishing trip isn't just about what's at the end of your line.
Come for the fish. Stay for everything else.
Because the Northern Territory's Best Kept Season isn't just a season for fishing.
It's a season for adventure.
