Fishing Spots ＞ Australia E (QLD)
GT/Dogtooth tuna/Marlin/Grouper/Tuna/Spanish mackerel
2 captains listed · casting available · sea category. A spot in Whitsundays / Airlie (QLD) (Australia E (QLD)) targeting GT/Dogtooth tuna/Marlin/Grouper/Tuna/Spanish mackerel. Check the tide, captains and recent catches, then contact them directly via public social accounts. Access, climate and lodging are in the details below.
Book / contact the captain directly Sea Fever Sportfishing ›There are two gateways to the Whitsunday Islands: Hamilton Island Airport (HTI) on the island, and Whitsunday Coast Airport (PPP, commonly called Proserpine Airport) near Proserpine on the mainland. Direct flights connect these from Sydney and Brisbane. To reach Airlie Beach, the main base, take a bus/taxi from PPP on the mainland, or a ferry from HTI.
| From | Route | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | Direct flight → Hamilton Island Airport (HTI) | About 2 hours | Operated by Virgin Australia, Qantas and others. From HTI to Airlie Beach it is about 60 minutes by ferry. |
| Brisbane | Direct flight → Hamilton Island Airport (HTI) | About 1 hour 50 minutes | From HTI to Airlie Beach it is about 60 minutes by ferry. If staying at an island hotel, you can simply move within the island. |
| Sydney / Brisbane / Melbourne / Cairns | Direct flight → Whitsunday Coast Airport (PPP / Proserpine) | Operated by Jetstar, Virgin, Qantas and Skytrans. From PPP to Airlie Beach it is about 25 minutes by shuttle bus/taxi (shuttle from about AUD 21 one way). | |
| Brisbane | Rail Spirit of Queensland → Proserpine Station | Arrives next morning (overnight) | Departs Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat. Onward transport is needed from the station to Airlie Beach. Coaches (Greyhound/Premier) also run from cities along the east coast. |
Coordinates: -20.27, 148.72（Open in Google Maps）
GT/Dogtooth tuna/Marlin/Grouper/Tuna/Spanish mackerel
Reef fish (such as coral trout and other bottom fish) are at their best around Airlie Beach in autumn (March to May). GT (giant trevally) can be targeted year-round, but the cool winter (June to August) with continuing clear skies and calm seas is best for large GT on poppers and stickbaits, and is also suited to outer-reef trips. Spanish mackerel are also a good target in winter at places like Minstrel Rocks. In spring (September to November), rising water temperatures bring GT and queenfish inshore.
○ in season: Jun–Nov
See what else is in season now →
The Whitsundays run out from Airlie Beach to the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef. The winter months of Jun-Aug are cooler and drier, with Spanish mackerel and GT firing, plus yellowfin and dogtooth in this window. The autumn of Mar-May is prime for reef species like coral trout. The real draw here is stacking GT casting and reef jigging with seasonal marlin.
Full how-to & tackle on each species page：GT Dogtooth tuna Marlin Grouper
*Official embeds of each channel's public videos. Click to play on YouTube.
The climate is tropical and warm year-round. The annual average temperature is about 22.8°C. The summer from December to February is hot, humid and the wet season, with February being the wettest. The winter from June to August is the dry season with continuing clear skies and calm seas, the comfortable time for sightseeing and fishing. Even in winter the daytime high stays around 23°C, making it pleasant.
| Month | Avg ℃ | High ℃ | Low ℃ | Clothing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | 30.5 | 24.8 | Summer clothing, short sleeves and shorts. Strong sunshine, so a hat and sunscreen are essential. As it is the wet season, also bring rain gear for squalls. | |
| 28 | 30.2 | 24.9 | Summer clothing. The wettest month, so carry a waterproof jacket. | |
| 27 | 29.6 | 24.1 | Summer clothing. Hot and humid, so wear breathable clothes. | |
| 25 | 28.1 | 22.7 | Mainly short sleeves. A thin layer for morning and evening gives peace of mind. | |
| 23 | 26.0 | 20.4 | Short sleeves plus a thin long-sleeved layer. The start of the dry season is comfortable. | |
| 20 | 23.4 | 17.1 | Short sleeves in the daytime, long sleeves and a thin jacket in the morning and evening. Bring a windproof layer for on board. | |
| 20 | 23.1 | 16.6 | The coolest month. Long sleeves plus a light jacket; dress in layers as mornings and evenings are chilly. | |
| 21 | 24.3 | 17.4 | Short sleeves in the daytime, long sleeves in the morning and evening. The dry season brings many clear days. | |
| 23 | 25.9 | 19.2 | Mainly short sleeves. The driest month and pleasant to spend. | |
| 24 | 27.3 | 21.3 | Summer clothing. The sun strengthens, so take sun protection. | |
| 26 | 29.5 | 23.4 | Summer clothing. The heat returns. A stinger suit is recommended for swimming. | |
| 27 | 30.4 | 24.5 | Summer clothing. The start of the wet season is hot and humid; carry rain gear. |
| Class | Property | Price (approx) | Highlights | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-end | qualia (Hamilton Island) | From AUD 987 (per night, pavilion) | At the northernmost tip of Hamilton Island, a luxury resort exclusively for couples. Pavilions with private plunge pool, spa, and private beach. Ranked No. 1 on the island on Tripadvisor | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| High-end | Coral Sea Resort (Airlie Beach) | Around AUD 312 (average, check by season) | A 4-star property in the center of Airlie Beach, adjacent to Coral Sea Marina. Rooms extending over the sea, a full-service spa, and the poolside restaurant The Rocks | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| High-end | Reef View Hotel (Hamilton Island) | — | A 4-star, 237-room property on Hamilton Island. Sun deck, close to the golf course. Good access to island facilities (golf, mini golf, etc.) | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Standard | The Sebel Whitsundays (Airlie Beach) | — | A 4.5-star property in Airlie Beach. For families and activity lovers. Convenient as a base for hiking, fishing and more | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Standard | Pinnacles Resort (Airlie Beach) | — | Luxury apartments with views of the Coral Sea. About 300 m from the town center | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Standard | Palm Bungalows (Hamilton Island) | AUD 237–263 (per night, check by season) | A 3-star bungalow on Hamilton Island. Check-in is at the adjacent Reef View Hotel. Free shuttle to airport/marina. Discount for stays of 3 nights or more | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Budget | The Hostel Airlie Beach (旧YHA Airlie Beach) | Dormitory AUD 15–18 / Private room from AUD 29 (guide) | A classic backpacker lodge in Airlie Beach. Dorm, twin, private and family rooms; air conditioning in all rooms, private balcony | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Budget | Nomads Airlie Beach | Dormitory from AUD 15 (guide) | Within walking distance of the center, set in about 7 acres of tropical gardens. Pool, volleyball court, poolside bar, shared kitchen | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Budget | Bush Village Budget Cabins (Airlie Beach) | Around AUD 100 / private room (guide) | Cabin-style accommodation for the budget-conscious. Affordable self-contained cabins | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Name | Cuisine | Budget | Highlights | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fish D'vine | Seafood / Rum bar | — | Airlie Beach's longest-running independent restaurant. Uses local coral trout and mud crab. Famous for its rum bar stocking over 150 kinds of rum | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| The Rocks at Coral Sea Resort | Seafood (poolside) | — | Barramundi & chips, kingfish sashimi, scallop ceviche. The seafood platter for two is the signature dish | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Whitsunday Seafood Bar | Fish & chips | — | Fish & chips well regarded in town. You can choose mackerel, barramundi and reef fish in batter or breadcrumbs | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Eastwoods | Rooftop bar / Modern | — | The only rooftop bar in Airlie Beach. A newer dining spot with appealing views over the sea, beach and foreshore | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| La Tabella (La Tabella Trattoria) | Italian | — | Along the esplanade, with wood-fired pizza and house-made pasta as signatures. A lively, long-established Italian founded in 1996 | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Fat Frog Beach Cafe | Beach cafe | — | A distinctive beachfront atmosphere. Enjoy a morning coffee and simple homemade dishes | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Rufus & Co. | Cafe | — | A cafe at Port of Airlie. Smashed avocado, gourmet sandwiches, and coffee rated among the best in Airlie Beach | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
Nearby spots easy to combine into one trip (straight-line distance). See the map above for locations.