Things to do
Barramundi
How to hook-a-barra
If fish were movie stars, the elusive barramundi – Aussies just call them “barra” – would be the most famous of all, and in Tropical North Queensland it’s the fish everyone wants on the end of their line. Found only in northern Australia, the barra is the country’s premier sportfish and one of the most delicious.
Everybody has an opinion on the best ways to catch a barra, and no two techniques will be the same. You can catch them with lures or bait, from rivers, estuaries and lakes, from the shore or a boat, any time of day or night, although most people do agree that patience and persistence are the key. The Barramundi Discovery Centre in Karumba will tell you everything you’ve ever wanted to know.
If you’ve never fished before, join a fishing tour or charter. The barramundi fishing season is closed from November 1 through to February 1, but you can fish all year round at Hook-A-Barra in the Daintree Saltwater Barramundi Farm. It’s a great place to teach the kids to fish.
Diehard barra fans might want to time their visit with the annual Tinaroo Barra Bash, a fishing competition held at Lake Tinaroo in the Atherton Tablelands every November. But if you really want to guarantee a barra on your plate, try the nearest pub where you’ll find Australia’s most famous fish on just about every menu, battered, fried and grilled, served with salad, chips and a wedge of fresh lemon.
Fishing for barramundi in an estuary of North Queensland
