North Australian Fishing

Been some banter on Facebook about Top End fishing infrastructure priorities. Some have dubbed the Point Stuart road upgrade 'a road to nowhere' even though it will improve access to the Stuart's Tree fishing camp and ramp.

Some folk are upset about big bucks being spent on this project when other more important projects still need doing, which is fair enough, but calling the Point Stuart project a 'road to nowhere' understates the value of the fishing spot.

Yes, the upgrade will give better access to a tide-restricted and exposed ramp, but it is located near prime spots, such as Carmor, Thrings and Love Creeks, and the Wildman River, not to mention offshore reefs that are chockers with goldies and jew. Some of the reefs are uncharted and would hardly see a hook and sinker.

It is otherwise a long run from Shady Camp to these places, and without flooding the Shady Camp ramp is also severely tide-affected.

It wasn't so long ago that access to Dundee was a goat track, and even after the road was improved a good many years went by before the then exposed, tide-affected ramp got a protective rock wall.

Launching and retrieving at Dundee for many years was a spectator sport, all part of the fun, sorta.

There has been some gnashing of teeth about the Stuart's Tree road upgrade from those who fish the Wildman, that should give an idea of whether the road upgrade will be used or not.

Press release ... https://ntrebound.nt.gov.au/news/2021/m ... r-released

Some people are hard to please these days or just enjoy a good whinge, still hearing about "THE RAMP" at Dundee, Any access to remote spots is good news in my opinion,not long ago we were being locked out of certain areas, if you think its going to affect fishing remember 10% of fishermen catch 90% of the fish!

If you dont like it go the long way!

It's big money for a low-use case ramp but I'm glad there's any money at all going into rec fishing
Dundee is a no brainer for me, and one ramp upgraded in Bynoe too, the toes on all of them are cactus

It's big money for a low-use case ramp

Hopefully it will be used more after the road is improved. Interesting area - known trophy barra potential in the local creeks, but there could be more on offer out wide.

Had to laugh tho - fished a wreck about 50km out in that region while on an extended trip years ago. Everyone was full of anticipation with the first big hookup. Water was very clear, it was dark ... we peered down for colour under the torchlight.

What came up was a big Powertail, a very silver species with a more pointed snout than the creek snotties ... and then more Powertail, and then trevally ... and then we moved on.

Lol I bet the anticipation was high!

It’s a Darwin thing really. No vision, just leave it alone cause we’re blind to progress….

Had the spare money for 2 beach front blocks and 1 set back all those years ago when they started selling land at Dundee and the then Missus said no.

Build it and they will come.

anyone know if these works are complete?
is stuart tree fishing camp open?

She’s open lads. There is still about 16kms of single lane track along the road but the rest is upgraded in good nick. No payments required at the ramp, public access. Still at DIPL discretion if they choose to close the road in very wet conditions. But it should be almost 12 month access I would think

Good to have alternate access, sounds like there's ownership drama at shady camp

With growing access restrictions of recent years, this Point Stuart road upgrade should be a welcome improvement, as the road leads to waters that see relatively little fishing pressure. Access to this ramp is now free, and there is a private camping/accommodation facility at the site for those who wish to use it.

The waters between the southern coastline and Cape Don likely still hold a few secrets.

There has been some gnashing of teeth about this road. Complaints like "exposed ramp", "tide restricted" and "money could have been better spent elsewhere". Also, tellingly, "another fishing spot ruined".

Dundee is now hugely popular. Wasn't so long ago that the Dundee vehicle access was a goat track, and for years the exposed Dundee ramp was a horror, and to this day it is still tidally restricted, as are all the Darwin Harbour ramps, except the navy base, which is private.

Some banter about the new road, apologies for posting Facebook links, lol ... https://www.facebook.com/KirbyPortDarwi ... LbfPt8n2dl

How long is the drive from the Shady turn off please.

About 80k from the highway turnoff
It'll be interesting to see people battling to retrieve in the chop while the tide rapidly drops!!

It'll be interesting to see people battling to retrieve in the chop while the tide rapidly drops!!

Yep, good case for a multi-lane ramp.

Info ... https://www.facebook.com/1303604207/pos ... tid=Nif5oz