Fishing and boating

Jervis Bay is popular for water sports on the NSW South Coast. You’ll find charter fishing trips there and at many other seaside towns along the coast. To fish you need a permit, available from the NSW Fisheries Office or from agents such as bait and tackle stores.

Hire a skippered yacht from EastSail and sail on glorious Sydney Harbour or join the crew aboard an America’s Cup racing yacht with Explore Sailing. On the far North Coast, at Tweed Heads, Catch a Crab runs tours that include trapping mud crabs and fishing.

Fishing, Bouddi National Park
Murrumbidgee River, Narrandera

Great fishing and boating in NSW

More than 2,000 km of beautiful coast and Australia’s largest network of lakes tempt recreational anglers and sailors to NSW.

Fish from rock platforms and sandy beaches in Sydney, including Bondi Beach. You can cast a line at bays and beaches all around Sydney Harbour, at the same time enjoying views of attractions such as the famous bridge and Sydney Opera House. Less than an hour north of Sydney by road you can relax on a boat or go fishing in the Hawkesbury River.

For sailing, you can hire skippered yachts from companies such as EastSail in Rushcutters Bay, 20 minutes from Circular Quay by bus. Join small group activities on the harbour with operators like Sea Sydney Cruises, which will take you fishing and kayaking.

On the South Coast, Central Coast and North Coast, local guides and charter operators will show you the best fishing and diving locations. You can hook fish such as flathead and bream along the coast and catch marlin and yellow-fin tuna on game-fishing ocean charters.

For fly fishing enthusiasts, the Snowy Mountains’ lakes and rivers teem with trout and Atlantic salmon. Charter operators will take you fishing on Lake Jindabyne, and Thredbo River has many great spots to cast a line. Equipment rentals are available.