The Cape is huge and the experience is dynamic and ever changing. From the Daintree River, only 100 kms north of Cairns, Cape Tribulation and Cooktown (Australia's first settlement) to the fish rich waters of Princess Charlotte Bay and Lakefield National Park. To Temple Bay, Shelburne Bay, the mighty Jackey Jackey with its marvelous mangroves and on to the Tip itself, the names ring with expectation and we have only briefly covered the east coast of the cape.

There are rivers and tidal estuaries, huge dry season billabongs full of juvenile barra, rocky headlands where monster barra lurk amongst the oyster covered rocks, and near shore reefs teeming with coral trout!

From the very "Tip" comes some of the best black jew fishing in Australia, and a sweet little tidal stream aptly called Crocodile Creek only 500 metres from the top boats blue salmon, king salmon, mangrove jack, queenfish, trevally, cod, bream, barracuda, and of course barra. And most pleasing to the eye is the lack of floating junk you so often find spoiling the scenery in southern waters. Not a Coke can or a VB stubby in sight.

Heading back from the tip of The Cape and down the western gulf coast you pass Punsand Bay at Seisia with its unbelievable wharf where 40 kg Spaniard's and monster GT's have been landed, Mutte Head (more black jew), the Jardine River and to Weipa, the barra capital of Queensland.

The Aboriginal settlements of Arukun, the Mitchell River and Kowanyama follow as you visit rivers like the Dulcie, the Wenlock, Staaten, Nassau, and Gilbert that all beckon with the promise of unbelievable fishing immediately after the wet.

Entering the eastern edge of the gulf country you arrive at still more angling mecca's including Normanton on the Norman River, Karumba on the coast, Burketown, and the offshore island of Mornington and the Sweers Island Fishing Resort.

Now I could spend days or weeks copying maps and directions to these and many other fishing places in the Gulf and Cape York but the best way is to purchase the latest copy of North Australian Fish Finder. The info found here is just superb and very detailed, local marks and GPS points included, and for just A$26.95 a very worthwhile investment if planning a trip up this way.

Charter Options

For more information about calm water and inshore blue water charter options to Cape York, please visit our Extended Charters section.