All posts by WFS Admin

Over about 45 years I fished most of the Aussie mainland and Tasmania. I mapped Top End river rockbars, reefs and wrecks using early sonar mapping software. I published the North Australian Fishing and Outdoors Magazine (closed it when COVID took off), and still publish the biennial FISH FINDER book of fishing maps. I was Sunday Territorian fishing columnist for two decades. Perhaps more importantly, I have caught 20lb+ snapper off Adelaide's metro jetties :) Great memories of catching tommies, chow and slimies at Port Giles and Edithburgh with my dad, and fishing in England for everything from carp and grayling to cod and plaice. This site is pretty much a love job, so be patient with site issues. Fishos can help by posting useful comments, fishing reports and feedback. Fish on!
Fishing Reports, NT

Mandorah boat ramp project finished

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WFS Admin

The new Mandorah boat ramp facility, located across the harbour from Darwin city

Construction of the new Mandorah Marine Facilities has been completed.

The facilities include a new boat ramp, ferry terminal with toilet facilities, car park upgrades and an improved experience for ferry users, including access improvements for people with disability.

The facility includes a gangway platform leading to a floating pontoon that features bench seating and shade for ferry users. The pontoon is designed for a capacity of 150 people.

An extended car park includes a bus parking bay and four accessible car parks at the top of the access ramp to gangway.

About 80,000 tonnes of rock was used to build the two breakwaters, which form the new basin to provide protection from sea swells and wave action.

The new facilities are currently being commissioned for ferry operations and are expected to be open to the public from 16 August 2025. The $85 million project was delivered by SMC Marine.

For more information about the project go to: https://infrastructure.nt.gov.au/project/mandorah-marine-facilities

Drone footage: https://youtu.be/u_q2z1mBcvQ

Fishing Spots

Mandorah rock walls, Northern Territory

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The Mandorah rock walls are located across the harbour from Darwin city: NT Govt picture

The Mandorah boating facility opened in mid 2025. It features significant rock walls that are prime fishing locations.

Mandorah already has a great track record as a fishing location, with barramundi, blue and threadfin salmon, jacks and cod commonly caught along the foreshores by boat and from land.

Mackerel, trevally, queenfish and sharks are caught from the jetty.

About 80,000 tonnes of rock was used to build the two new breakwaters.

Fish the walls around high tide with livebait or lures.

Jacks tend to feed up close to rocky foreshores on a rising tide.

Going by experience elsewhere, mud crabs will also be found in the rock walls and could likely be potted on a rising tide.

Keep in mind that crocodiles, marine stingers and stonefish exist in Darwin Harbour.

Care is required walking on the rocks. Swell should not be a problem as the location is reasonably sheltered, but severe thunderstorms hit this area from September onwards.

For more information about the project go to: https://infrastructure.nt.gov.au/project/mandorah-marine-facilities

Drone footage is at https://youtu.be/u_q2z1mBcvQ

Fishing Reports

More artificial reefs on the way

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WFS Admin

Upcoming artificial reefs across the nation …

Great Sandy Marine Park Reefs, Qld

Offshore locations between Elliott Heads and Woodgate Beach, and near Point Vernon, Hervey Bay. Intended for recreational fishing, kayaking, snorkeling, diving. This $2.5 million project has had tenders called, installation was scheduled for October 2025.

 Southern Ocean Surf Reef, WA

A purpose-built surf reef at Middleton Beach using 70,000 tonnes of granite. This reef is intended for surfers. Construction was aimed to be completed by mid 2025.

Bunbury Surf Reef, WA

Multi-layered granite reef (5000 sqm) reef of triangular shape at WA”s Back Beach. Aims to improve erosion control, marine habitat, and produce breaking waves for surfers.

Port Hedland Artificial Reef, WA

These reefs will attract species like coral trout, cod, trevally and mackerel. Recfishwest and BHP are the partners. The project was announced early 2025.

3D-printed MARS systems (national)

These ceramic reef modules are 3D‑printed into complex shapes that can mimic coral structures. They boost natural reef complexity, biodiversity and coral/fish settlement. May be helpful as coral faces growing heat stress. Recently developed and first deployments show positive marine uptake. See more here.

Offshore wind farms as reefs (national)

Wind turbine foundations are known to double as benthic habitat encouraging barnacles, fish, and more. Where ocean wind farms are installed, fishermen may benefit.