Barranyi (North Island) National Park has two campsites for boaters who are fishing around the NT’s Sir Edward Pellew Islands.

The main campsite is on the north-west side at Paradice Bay, with another site near a small tidal at the south-west end at Mud Bay.

Boating access is from King Ash Bay Fishing Club on the tidal section of the McArthur River, or from Mule Creek.

Tidal restrictions apply, and it is best to do the trip on a rising tide in case of hitting a sandbank.

Launching at King Ash Bay, it is about 35km to the McArthur River mouth, and 47km to Paradice Bay, a total of about 82km.

The alternative Carrington River channel is about 33km to mouth, and 43km to Paradice Bay, for a total of about 76km.

Launching at Mule Creek is a 65km trip to Paradice Bay, and is heavily tide dependent.

Use VHF Channel 81 to communicate with King Ash Bay Service Station.

There is roughly a three-hour time difference from Centre Island tides to King Ash Bay tides.

Strong north-easterly winds can make it hard to anchor in Paradice Bay, but south-westerly winds often prevail in the dry season, when this area is usually fished.

There is good dry season fishing for pelagics such as queenfish, trevally and mackerel, with reef fish such as grass and red emperor, various cod, nannygai, jewfish and coral trout on the reefs.

In warm weather barramundi can be caught in the rivers and along sheltered foreshores, with blue and threadfin salmon all year.

Mud crab numbers vary from year to year but a feed can usually be caught.

Visitors to North Island must have an NT Parks Pass.

King Ash Bay has good facilities, including fuel, ice and accommodation.

The nearest township is Borroloola.

This area becomes busy during the dry season, nonetheless it is remote and care is required when exploring.

Crocodiles, stonefish and marine stingers are abundant.

King Ash Bay tides
Barranyi NP fact sheet
NT tidal variations
NT Million Dollar Fish promotion
NT fishing regulations
North Australian FISH FINDER fishing map book

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