The Cobourg Peninsula juts out into the Arafura Sea on the north-west corner of Arnhem Land and is surrounded by bays, inlets, rocky headlands and coral reefs. Barramundi are found in the tidal creeks and estuaries but it is bluewater fishing action that attracts most anglers. While some land-based fishing is available, boat anglers have many reef outcrops and creeks to choose from both inside Port Essington and offshore.
There is a boat ramp at Black Point giving access to Port Essington and surrounding waters. The port is large and its relatively sheltered waters can provide excellent bluewater fishing. Queenfish and trevally haunt the numerous headlands and, further into the bay, there are creeks with barramundi and mangrove jack.
Orontes Reef, outside Port Essington, is a popular hot spot for golden snapper, coral trout, cod, and other reef fish. Spanish mackerel, giant trevally, queenflsh, and reef fish such as sweetlip, golden snapper and coral trout are plentiful around the Sandy Islands to the east of Port Essington.
If seas are calm, it is possible to travel further east to Croker Island where sailfish, cobia, queenfish, barracuda, marlin, mackerel, sweetlip, golden snapper, saddletail snapper and coral trout are all available. Creek fishing for barramundi and mangrove jack is also productive near Minjilang community but permits are required.
To the west lies Cape Don with its wide diversity of fish species including giant trevally, queenfish, Spanish mackerel, tuna and barracuda that frequent the surrounding rock pinnacles and coral reef. Queenfish, giant trevally and barracuda can be caught trolling the deeper bays round Cape Don.
On the south-west coast of the peninsula, there are a number of protected bays with queenfish, mackerel, trevally, golden snapper and cod around the reefs and barramundi, threadfin salmon and mangrove jack in the creeks.
Cobourg Peninsula is within the Garig Gunak Barlu (formerly called Gurig) National Park, managed jointly by traditional Aboriginal landowners and the Parks and Wildlife Commission of the NT. The Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries manages fishing in the adjacent Cobourg Marine Park which covers all of the inshore waters surrounding the Peninsula.
Visitors who drive to the park are limited to the dry season months and must obtain permits from the Cobourg Peninsula Sanctuary Board. Beach huts, charter boats and dinghies are available for hire at Smith Point and camping grounds and a store, where basic provisions can be purchased, are located nearby.
For visiting anglers, the most convenient and effective way to fish Cobourg is as a guest at Cape Don Lodge or the resort at Seven Spirit Bay fishing with one of their experienced fishing guides. Guided fishing safaris are also available on Croker Island. Charter flights, permits, accommodation, food and fully-guided fishing are all taken care of.
Fish to Catch
Barracuda, barramundi, black jewfish, blue salmon, cobia, cod, groper, coral trout, giant trevally, golden snapper, mangrove jack, queenfish, sailfish, marlin, red emperor, saddle-tailed sea perch, Spanish mackerel, threadfin salmon, tricky snapper, tuna and mud crab.
When to Catch Them
Year-round Access Aircraft charter access is available all year round. Road access is limited to the dry season and then only with appropriate permits.
Permits can be obtained from the Cobourg Peninsula Sanctuary Board, PO Box 496 Palmerston NT 0831, telephone (08) 8979 0244. Tips for the Traveller Permit places in the park are limited so apply well in advance. When visiting the park, don’t miss the rangers’ walking tours of the historic Victoria Settlement ruins.
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