Groote Eylandt, Northern Territory: Are fishing tours the best thing to do?

Groote Eylandt fishing tours don’t come cheap. But Groote Eylandt Sport Fishing offers charters to catch marlin, barramundi, tuna and golden snapper in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Groote Eylandt is one of Australia’s biggest islands, and it isn’t half isolated. It is the largest of the islands in the Gulf of Carpentaria, which cuts across the north of Australia. It is, however, close to the coast of the Northern Territory’s Top End. You’ll find it off the eastern end of the Arnhem Land region.

Groote Eylandt: Fourth largest island in Australia

According to Geoscience Australia, Groote Eylandt is the fourth largest island in Australia. It comes in after Tasmania, Melville Island in the Northern Territory and Kangaroo Island in South Australia. It has an area of 2,285 square kilometres.

The name comes from Dutch explorer Abel Tasman, who passed by in 1644. Groote Eylandt means “large island” in an archaic form of Dutch.

Groote Eylandt is part of the East Arnhem Land, private land under the control of the traditional Aboriginal owners. Visitors need permits to enter. In Groote Eylandt’s case, you need to get a recreation permit from the Anindilyakwa Land Council.

Groote Eylandt fishing tours

This means that tourism on Groote Eylandt is carefully controlled. One of the few tourism operators allowed to welcome guests to Groote Eylandt is Groote Eylandt Sport Fishing. The company runs corporate retreats at the Groote Eylandt Lodge, but specialises in fishing charters.

Groote Island fishing tour in the Northern Territory — A Groote Eylandt fishing tour in the Northern Territory with Groote Eylandt Sports Fishing. Photo courtesy of tourism.australia.com

The fishing areas around Groote Eylandt are vast. Due to the lack of human interference, the waters are also incredibly well stocked.

Reef fishing, blue water fishing and estuary fishing are all possible, covering a wide range of species. These include golden snapper, coral trout and red emperor. You’ve also got a good chance of catching barramundi, mangrove jack, marlin, Spanish mackerel and longtail tuna.

These Groote Eylandt fishing tours don’t come cheap, though. Based on two people travelling together, the minimum price for a two day, three night charter is $3,700 per person.

This price includes return flights from Darwin to Groote Eylandt, twin share accommodation, all meals and transfers.