Thanks to Weipa’s tropical climate and rocky peninsula location, it has become one of Australia’s top fishing destinations; in fact the area is a hotspot for sports fishing tournaments and causal fishing holidays. In the peak season of April to November, tourists descend upon Weipa to throw in a line in the hopes of catching one of the many sportfish and tropical fish species lurking beneath the waters. Barramundi are of course the mostsought after species for those fishing the area, however other highly popular species include Barramundi, Blue Salmon, Bream, Gold Snapper, Coral Trout and Mangrove Jack.
Two large estuaries surround Weipa to the south and north – these are the Embley River and Mission River. With such a diverse coastal landscape, you will find the opportunity to fish rivers and creeks, in addition to the wide-open ocean. So, whether you are planning to visit Weipa in the near future or you are living locally and need a refresher on where to drop a line, simply read on to discover all there is to know about fishing in our beautiful region.
Weipa’s best Fishing Tours and Fishing Hotspots
Given the diversity of the region, Weipa caters for a variety of fishing, from casual beach fishing, ocean sports fishing, fly and lure fishing. Fishing tour operators offer specialty packages, so do your research to find out what type of fishing would be best suited for you. For the adrenaline junkies, may we suggest heli fishing?
Fishing Tours
If you are serious about fishing, we suggest getting in contact with one of the many guided fishing tour companies that operate in the Weipa region. Not only do they offer expert advice and knowledge of the area, they can also supply you with all the equipment that is required for a successful day out on the water. Reputable tour operators include Far North Fishing, Weipa Sports Fishing, Weipa Fishing Adventures and Fish’s Fly and Sportfishing. So, if you’re keen for a fuss free fishing adventure, booking a tour is a surefire way to maximise your visit.
Hire a Boat
Want to navigate the waters of Weipa yourself? Tackle World Weipa offers two hire boat options, both of which have been custom built. All that is required from you is a boat licence and completed paperwork. When it comes to launching your boat, there are cement ramps located atEvans Landing and Rocky Point and one gravel ramp accessible at Andoom Creek. Depending on what species you have you your eyes set on, we recommend visiting the following prime fishing locations:
- Pine River
- Red Beach
- Andoom Creek
- Eunigan Creek
- Old Evans Landing Boat Ramp
- Gonbung Point
- Roberts Creek
- Westminster
- The Pole
- First Creek
- Fifth Creek
Fishing Prep Ahead of a Day on the Water
Before heading out for a day of fishing, you will need to pick up all the essential supplies including bait and tackle. In town you can visit Tackle World Weipa and Weipa 4WD & Camping Supplies.
Being a tropical region, Weipa is home to many dangerous native animals including Crocodiles, so if you are entering bodies of water you should always be extremely vigilant. Perhaps this is just another great excuse to book your trip with a tour! For expert tips on how to stay crocwise while visiting Weipa, head over to this blog.
Planning Your Visit
As well as being a very popular destination for other fishing-goers, Weipa is quite remote, so if you are visiting from out of town, ensure that you plan out your trip well ahead of your stay to avoid missing out on high demand flights and fishing tours.
There are two seasons up North, the wet and the dry season, and we recommend the best time to visit is during the dry season. This season runs from April through to November, and during this time temperatures are much milder making for more ideal fishing conditions.
Unless you are bunking with a local, you will need to source accommodation; and if there is one place that can cater for all your requirements, it’s the Albatross Bay Resort. The resort offers standard hotel rooms that can sleep up to 5 people as well as donga-style cabins that sleep two. Located only ten minutes from the Weipa airport, it is a convenient and great value option. Onsite you will find facilities such as a fish cleaning station and BBQ so that you can enjoy the fruits of your labour by feasting on your catch from the day. Don’t worry if you come back empty handed though, because the on-site Sports Bar and Deck Restaurant can fill those hungry bellies with dishes such as fresh locally caught Barramundi, grilled Gulf-caught King prawns, tender steaks and much more. Don’t forget to grab yourself a refreshing tap beer or glass of wine to enjoy whilst you witness one of Weipa’s spectacular sunsets.
After a good days fishing in the Cape York region, we guarantee you will be hooked and returning for more!
