“ Will I be safe?”
Is the first question most first time visitors to the Northern Territory ask. The answer is YES, you will be completely safe. Providing, of course, that you take normal duty of care, follow your fishing guide's instructions when you're in his care, plus stay well inside the boat when you are fishing and traveling between locations. Our boats are large, high-sided and purpose-built to provide the safest and most comfortable platform possible in the waters you will be fishing. Our enclosed lodge area is positioned well above sea level and is not accessible to wild life.
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“Will I be eaten alive by insects?”
Is usually the second question first time visitors ask. The answer is NO. You will undoubtedly encounter some sandflies and occasionally mosquitoes in the more heavily mangroved creeks, their numbers depending on time of year and weather conditions. Generally though, the insect population in and around both our lodge and bush camp should be of little to no concern to you.
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“What will the weather be like?”
There are three major seasons on Melville Island ;
The ‘dry season': April to August
The ‘build up' : September to November
The ‘wet season': December to March
Average monthly temperatures range from 25° to 36°C in October and 19° to 29°C in July. Inland areas may experience overnight temperatures as low as 10°C during the cooler months of June and July. If the prospect of hot weather seriously concerns you, the ideal time to visit us is between June and September. During these cooler ‘dry season' months temperatures are reduced to the point where a lightweight sweater can sometimes be required during early mornings and late evenings.
But, even during the warmest of weather our lodge, with its shaded oceanfront position and cooling sea breezes, combined with our air-conditioned guest rooms, provide our clients with a comfortable retreat from the heat of even the hottest day.
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“What does an average fishing day consist of?”
An average day at the Lodge starts with breakfast, which is served at 7.00am. Breakfast choices include bacon and eggs, cereals, toast, fresh fruit, juice, tea and coffee.
Unless you prefer otherwise, our aim is to have you on the water fishing by 7.30-7.45am each morning.
At an appropriate time during the day, your guide will park your boat in a shaded area of the river you are fishing in to prepare your on-board lunch. Alternatively, if you are planning some non-fishing activities during the afternoon, you may choose to have lunch back at the lodge. The choice is yours.
Unless you prefer an earlier finish, you will be returned to the Lodge around 5.00pm each day. When you return after your day's activities, you may like to wander across to the main building to relax and share the experiences of your day whilst enjoying the wonderful ocean views and sea breezes. Whilst you're there, help yourself to some freshly prepared hors d'oeuvres and a drink or two from our licensed bar. Dinner is usually served around 7.30pm with our chef preparing sumptuous meals suited to our tropical climate. As might be expected, barramundi and other freshly caught local fish are regular dinner favourites.
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“What should I pack for my trip?”
For fishing, pack shorts or lightweight long pants, together with lightweight shirts, preferably long-sleeved if you sunburn easily. Bring boat shoes or something similar for your feet plus a wide-brimmed hat. Sunglasses are a necessity, Polarised are best for spotting fish, if you have them.
Our lodge is extremely relaxed and casual, so shorts, tee shirts etc. are perfect for non fishing times. If your trip is between June and September it may also be wise to pack a lightweight sweater or something similar, as early mornings and evenings can occasionally get a little chilly at this time of year.
Please also bring any other personal items you'll need for your time away. Such as sunblock, insect repellant, cosmetics, personal medications, cigarettes etc. Remember, you'll be in a remote environment, and although there's a general store at Snake Bay, it's opening hours and range of goods is limited.
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“Is the lodge suitable for ladies?”
ABSOLUTELY! In fact, a great proportion of both our first-time and repeat clients are ladies, and not only fisherman's wives either! Our lodge and boat facilities are as comfortable as we can possibly make them in a remote environment and our experienced and licensed guides take a great many lady anglers fishing every year.
Ladies; if you'd like more information concerning our amenities, please feel free to give Karen at the lodge a call or drop her an email on info@melvillelodge.com.au .
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“Is the lodge suitable for children?”
Father and son trips are extremely popular at Melville Island Lodge. But, given the environment we operate in, we don't recommend the Lodge to be suitable for children under 15 years of age.
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“ What is there to do other than fishing?”
Given we are primarily a sport-fishing lodge, most guests prefer to maximise their time on the water fishing. BUT, this certainly doesn't have to be the case. Some of our regular clients, especially husband and wife guests, who come here to unwind for a few days, prefer to mix their fishing in with some of the other great activities on the Island . For some suggested non-fishing activities (click here).
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“What if I get sick or have an accident?”
All of our professional and licensed fishing guides have current first aid certificates. In addition, the Milikapati Medical Centre is within walking distance from Melville Island Lodge. As an added safety precaution, all boats are fitted with first aid kits, satellite phones and 2 way radios. And, in a worst case emergency situation, both our Snake Bay lodge and our Johnson River camp are a 30 minute flight to Darwin hospital.
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“What if our boat breaks down?”
Our young fleet of boats and motors are maintained and routinely serviced by our own on-site and fully qualified outboard motor mechanic to ensure optimum service at all times. All boats are fitted with satellite phones, 2 way radios, GPS and emergency equipment. The lodge has at least one fully equipped spare boat on standby at all times, so, in the unlikely event of a major breakdown, you will be transferred to another boat and be back fishing in no time.
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“Will I be guaranteed of catching lots of fish?”
The level of success of any fishing trip (anywhere in the world) can be influenced by many factors; such as weather, barometer, tides, water temperature, time of year, and, of course, an anglers skill levels. Consequently, and despite what some operators may advertise, no fishing business operator can truthfully guarantee that you will catch heaps of fish ALL the time, no matter how prolific and untouched the fish stocks in an area might be.
Prior to owning the Melville Island Lodge business, my wife and I fished here regularly for several years as clients. Like our guides, we've got to know and appreciate the huge fishing potential of Melville Island first hand. We also know many other Northern Territory fishing destinations well, having fished at various other fishing lodges and camps in earlier times. Having this experience enables us to confidently lay claim that the fishing quality in our area is as consistently good as the very best locations in the Northern Territory, and is considerably better and more consistent than most. The rest is up to you, our fish-guiding skills and the fishing gods, who thankfully smile on us more often than not!
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“Why choose Melville Island Lodge?”
Although rapidly growing in popularity, fully guided sport -fishing in remote destinations is relatively new to Australia, the first operators establishing rudimentary camps back in the late 1980's. As the industry matures the gap in service, professionalism and client satisfaction provided by the old style camp operator and the newer style of professionally managed and operated sport-fishing lodges, such as Melville Island Lodge, has widened substantially.
Consequently, not all remote sport-fishing destinations are the same. When contemplating your trip, please take some time to compare the many benefits of Melville Island Lodge;
- The NT’s finest sport fishing with consistently good fishing for 30 species including barramundi and saratoga
- Two fabulous locations located in a pristine wilderness environment
- Five major river systems, plus a virtually untouched range of coastal and off-shore fishing options
- Superior quality facilities, comforts and client service
- Air conditioned accommodation, flushing toilets and hot showers
- Restaurant quality meals prepared by our qualified chef
- Licensed bar with a wide range of beer, wine & spirits at public bar prices
- Licensed professional fishing guides who don't compete with you for the fish
- Competitive, fully-inclusive packages to suit your requirements and timetable
- Safe, purpose-built 6.6m boats with maximum 3 anglers per boat, per guide
- Minimal traveling time between ‘hot spots' versus charter boat operators
- Scenic 30 minute flying time from Darwin
- Successful fishing is said to be: one part location…one part
skill…and one part luck..! We’ve got the location…..we’ll show you the skill…and luck? Well, most of our guests don’t seem to need it….!
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