Darwin Heli Fishing Tour

Itinerary

Your itinerary for the Darwin Heli Fishing Tour includes:

Half Day Helifish Tour

• Depart from Darwin Airport via private helicopter
• Scenic aerial views of floodplains, rivers, and Top End coastline
• Multiple stops at top fishing locations across coastal creeks and river systems
• Opportunity to catch barramundi and other key species
• All fishing gear provided
• Return flight to Darwin Airport

Full Day Helifish + Pub Crawl Tour

• Morning heli‑fishing adventure (as above)
• Fly to Noonamah Tavern for drinks and classic Territory pub fare
• Continue to Goat Island Lodge for beers at Casey’s Bar and a chance to spot Casey the Croc
• Final stop at Darwin River Tavern for local Darwin River Lager, hearty lunch, and bush‑pub atmosphere
• Return helicopter flight to Darwin Airport

What to Expect from the Darwin Heli Fishing Tour

There are two options to choose from here, and here's what you get depending on which one you select.

Half Day Helifish Tour

Your half day starts in Darwin city where you’ll lift off in a private helicopter and head straight to the best fishing spots in the region. Northern Territory waterways are full of coastal creeks, freshwater rivers and tidal flats so it’s barramundi and other trophy species galore.

This option is all about fishing time. You’ll hop between remote fishing holes without long drives, catch multiple species and enjoy the thrill of helicopter travel while focusing on the days catch. Fishing gear is provided so all you need to bring is your enthusiasm and a camera to capture your trophy fish.

Full Day Helifish + Pub Crawl Tour

For those who want more than just fishing extend the experience into a full day heli-adventure. After a morning of chasing barra and threadfin salmon your afternoon becomes an outback pub crawl.

You’ll fly between three iconic pubs: Noonamah Tavern for a cold beer and bush vibes, Goat Island Lodge for its quirky charm (and Casey the resident crocodile) and Darwin River Tavern for live music, hearty meals and a freshwater croc aquarium. It’s the ultimate NT experience of fishing, flying and classic pub culture.

What's Included in the Darwin Heli Fishing Tour?

Let's discuss what is included in the Darwin Heli Fishing Tour, both option one and option two.

Option 1: Half-Day Heli Fishing Tour

Included with the tour is of course the helicopter flight itself. You'll get to ride in a state-of-the-art chopper, complete with all of the bells and whistles to keep you comfortable.

Large and plush seats, plenty of legroom, large windows, an air-conditioned cabin, and noise-cancelling headsets - combined with a combination pilot and tour guide, make every leg of the trip a masterclass in sightseeing.

You'll get to fly to some of the most popular and secluded fishing areas, all of which have abundant wildlife present and ready for you to catch - the fishing equipment is included with the trip, so no need to worry about that. Who knows, you might just catch a bigger prize than anyone in the Million Dollar Fish Competition ever has! You will get to spend the morning and the early afternoon fishing to your heart's content.

Option 2: Full-Day Heli Fishing + Darwin Pub Crawl

The second option includes the original heli fishing tour as listed above, but then also includes stops at three of Darwin's most popular pubs. Let's take a look.

There are three stops in this part of the Darwin pub crawl, each of which make for spectacular locations to visit once you're done fishing. Let's take a look.

Stop #1: Noonamah Tavern

First stop after a day of helifishing is the Noonamah Tavern, a true blue Territory pub that’s been serving cold beers since 1952. Rustic charm and bush setting, this is a local and traveller favourite.

Cold beer, XXXX Gold and Carlton Dry on tap, plus a rotating selection of craft. There's also plenty of classic pub food done right, such as schnitzels, steak sandwiches, loaded burgers. Live country music on weekends and a beer garden to swap fishing stories under the gum trees.

Stop #2: Goat Island Lodge

Next up is the legendary Goat Island Lodge, one of the most quirky pubs in the Top End. Perched on the Adelaide River, this off-grid gem is only accessible by boat or helicopter. At the heart of the action is Casey’s Bar, with a crazy beer selection and outback charm.

You might even catch the owner feeding Casey the resident crocodile. Hearty homemade food, local favourites like barra burgers and steak sangas. Open air deck and river views, this place is as entertaining as it is unforgettable.

Stop #3: Darwin River Tavern

Last stop is the spacious Darwin River Tavern, welcoming vibe, bushland setting and cold beer. With its own helipad, the tavern caters to heli-adventurers and locals. Darwin River Lager, Great Northern and a few craft beers on tap.

Pub meals, such as grass fed steaks, garlic prawns, and big platters are what you'll get here. Freshwater crocodile aquarium, live music on weekends and a big beer garden to wind down after a big day on the water.

About the Destination

The Top End of Australia’s Northern Territory is adventure heaven and nowhere more so than around Darwin. With its tropical climate, pristine rivers, and untouched coastal wetlands, this is one of the best fishing spots in the country.

Barramundi is the prize catch and anglers from around the world come here during the dry season to try and land a monster. Remote billabongs, estuaries, and floodplains are teeming with life and offer both great fishing and breathtaking scenery.

But it’s not just the fishing that draws people in – it’s the laid back, down to earth culture of Darwin’s pub scene. After a day of casting lines, iconic bush pubs like Goat Island Lodge, Darwin River Tavern, and Noonamah Tavern become social hubs.

Each has cold beer, hearty food, and a slice of true Territory character. From crocodile feeding at Goat Island to live bush bands at Darwin River Tavern, these places are all part of an amazing experience. The combination of raw nature and true blue Aussie hospitality makes this a destination that will leave you with lasting memories.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Darwin heli fishing tour last?

The Darwin heli fishing tour is either a half day or full day tour, depending on the chosen option.

Do I need to bring my own fishing gear?

No, the fishing gear is included with the cost of the tour.