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Best fish and chips from Albany to Apollo Bay and the Sunshine Coast

Nothing says summer like the classic combo of battered fish fillets and piping hot chunks of fried potato. We’ve trawled the nation to find 10 of the best fish and chips on offer. Do you have a favourite?

Snapper & Co’s crispy, golden offering in Canberra.
Snapper & Co’s crispy, golden offering in Canberra.

Nothing says summer like the classic combo of battered fillets and piping hot chunks of fried potato. We’ve trawled Australia to find some of the best on offer, but rest assured they’re not all greasy fish wrapped in butcher paper. There are some quite sophisticated chippies around our shores.

Grilled lobster at the Apollo Bay Fishermen’s Co-op.
Grilled lobster at the Apollo Bay Fishermen’s Co-op.

1 Apollo Bay, Victoria

Nothing says Australian summer like sand between your toes, golden battered fish and perfect batons of hot, crispy chips. As one of only three fishing co-operatives left in Victoria, the Apollo Bay Fishermen’s Co-op is a beloved institution on the harbour. Supported by a network of family-run fishing vessels including the co-op’s own trawler, Tambo, the enterprise delivers fresh hauls in a “Strait to plate” experience. More than 60 per cent of what is caught stays in the area, while the remainder heads to Melbourne markets. To get a true taste of the seasonal, hyperlocal fish on offer your best bet is to order the ever-changing seafood platter for the daily catch, which may include flathead, scallops, whiting, flounder or squid. The co-op is also known for its southern rock lobsters (16 tonnes of the crustacean pass through the doors annually), which are served in a delicious chowder at the co-op’s upscale restaurant on Pascoe Street.

Benny’s Fish Truck on Lord Howe Island
Benny’s Fish Truck on Lord Howe Island

2 Lord Howe Island, NSW

For dining with a view, there’s no better destination than Lord Howe Island. And what better way to soak up the island’s natural majesty than by feasting on fresh seafood from Benny’s Fish Truck. The operation sets up at the jetty, with the magnificent backdrop of Mount Lidgbird and Mount Gower towering over the crystal-clear lagoon. Run by island residents Brad Wilson and Ben Ohlback, the truck serves catches straight from Brad’s fishing boat, Sea Lord Howe (thanks to Brad’s rare access to these protected waters). The menu is small but mighty, featuring beer-battered Lord Howe Island kingfish, yellowfin tuna sashimi, and Ben’s homemade fish croquettes, complemented by his tartare sauce. Without mobile coverage or distractions, there’s something incredibly beguiling about eating in the great outdoors, especially if you’re lucky enough to see sea turtles drifting through the lagoon. The fish truck’s hours are announced at Wilson’s Hire Services on the main road and on social media.

Snapper & Co is on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra.
Snapper & Co is on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra.

3 Canberra, ACT

Snapper & Co has become the go-to spot for fish and chips in Canberra, and it’s easy to see why. Set right on Lake Burley Griffin, the popular restaurant ticks all the boxes – unbeatable lake views, a relaxed atmosphere, great seafood and a nod of approval from locals. After a recent revamp, the venue now features an elevated lakeside deck, indoor dining area and a relaxed courtyard with a bar and gelato stand, making it perfect for long, lazy afternoons with a chilled drink in hand. You can grab a takeaway parcel and spread out on the lawn with a picnic blanket or, even better, settle in to the full-service deck and prepare for a feast. The Asian-style baked whole baby snapper is unmissable as it delivers a decent kick of chilli along with the fresh flavours of lime and ginger.

Fresh lobster roll from The Lobster Shack, which overlooks Bicheno’s ‘Gulch’. Picture: Tourism Australia
Fresh lobster roll from The Lobster Shack, which overlooks Bicheno’s ‘Gulch’. Picture: Tourism Australia

4 Bicheno, Tasmania

On the island state’s picturesque east coast, The Lobster Shack has become a must-visit destination for seafood lovers. This laid-back eatery overlooking Bicheno’s “Gulch” is run by locals Marcus and Sara Walkem, both of whom come from a long line of Tassie fishing families. With a passion for ocean-to-plate dining and sustainable fishing practices, Marcus sets out in his boat, launching it just metres from the fiery orange lichen-covered rocks of Bicheno’s harbour. There are no flat notes on the menu here, but you definitely don’t want to miss the famous lobster roll, in which chilled, succulent lobster is served in a glossy toasted milk bun with crispy lettuce and house-made lobster sauce. After you’ve had your fill, head upstairs to the lookout to learn about the history of the local fishing industry.

Crab Claw Island Resort is a top stop for fresh barramundi on the Heli Pub Crawl.
Crab Claw Island Resort is a top stop for fresh barramundi on the Heli Pub Crawl.

5 Darwin, NT

If you like your fish and chips big on flavour and with a side of style, this one’s for you. Set on the shores of Bynoe Harbour, southwest of Darwin, Crab Claw Island Resort may be a relaxed retreat, but it’s got a twist that sets it apart: it’s one of the stops on the Airborne Solutions heli-pub crawl. You’ll fly over Darwin’s harbour, the lush Top End and the resort’s golden beach fringed with palm trees before landing on the airstrip. Hop out and grab a frosty beer before tucking into freshly caught barramundi with hot, salty chips. If you want to stay longer and soak up those spectacular views over the ocean, book into one of the comfortable elevated rooms connected by walkways through palm gardens, offering glittering glimpses of the harbour.

Hooked on Middleton Beach is an award winner.
Hooked on Middleton Beach is an award winner.

6 Albany, WA

For the ultimate fish and chips, head to Hooked on Middleton Beach in Albany. Taking out top honours in both the 2024 National and WA Seafood Industry Awards, this small, family-run spot has a big reputation and rightly so. A network of local fisherman in Albany, Denmark and Bremer Bay supplies the busy restaurant with more than 20 species of fish, including snapper, bight redfish, dhufish and whiting. Grab some of the house-made condiments and preserves (think aioli, tartare, mushy peas and piquant pickled onions) and wander down to picturesque Ellen Cove to eat your fill. You may need to meander back later though for a scoop or two of ice cream from Scooped, the in-house gelato bar; the rum and raisin is good and vegans will be thrilled with the creamy but dairy-free coconut offering.

Prawn Star serves fresh seafood off the trawlers. Picture: Tourism and Events Queensland
Prawn Star serves fresh seafood off the trawlers. Picture: Tourism and Events Queensland

7 Sunshine Coast, QLD

It might be a tad bold suggesting that some of the best fish and chips in Queensland haven’t gone anywhere near a deep fryer, and even more so when the venue doesn’t serve up traditional fish and chips, but hear me out. Docked at The Wharf Mooloolaba, Mooloolaba’s Prawn Star is a laid-back seafood spot serving up the best wild-caught Australian ocean fare from cosy yet beautifully restored timber trawlers and a pontoon. This is not your typical fish and chips; instead, think of a small selection of beautifully presented seasonal wild-caught seafood, such as salmon sashimi, succulent crayfish, Mooloolaba prawns and bug tails. The highlight? Generous sharing platters showcasing local seafood specialties that have been caught and cooked on the same day.

Sotos Fish Shop in Semaphore, Adelaide, South Australia.
Sotos Fish Shop in Semaphore, Adelaide, South Australia.

8 Adelaide, SA

Just metres from the pristine sand and turquoise waters of Semaphore is Sotos Fish Shop, a slice of South Australian history wrapped in butcher’s paper. Operating since 1949, it’s the kind of place that draws you in with the undeniable aroma of freshly cooked fish and hand-cut chips – a tradition that hasn’t changed in more than 70 years. Regulars know to expect a wait, but they also know the reason the queue often snakes out the door. This is seafood at its best, where South Australian garfish and local whiting are encased in a crisp, thin batter and the “best of the British” pack delivers a nostalgic taste of Blighty with its Atlantic cod, mushy peas and curry sauce. Just as important are the chips, cut fresh daily, made from Australian-grown potatoes and generously sprinkled with Soto’s Fish Shop’s irresistible signature house-made chicken salt.

The Eco Abrolhos Cruises vessel.
The Eco Abrolhos Cruises vessel.
Local scallops are on the cruise menu.
Local scallops are on the cruise menu.

9 Abrolhos Islands, WA

For those on a mission to find Australia’s best fish and chips, this Abrolhos Islands cruise might seem like a detour. This isn’t a generic seaside fry-up. Instead, think of it as a sophisticated seafood experience over five days (leaving from Geraldton), during which you’ll explore the untouched beauty of the Abrolhos Islands and sample just-caught seafood. The adventure isn’t limited to the dining table, either. Days are spent snorkelling among the vibrant marine life, exploring historical shipwreck sites and navigating the remote islands’ crayfishing villages. Then, when it’s time to eat, you’ll feast on local seafood such as snapper, Shark Bay prawns and Abrolhos scallops that are exquisitely plated and paired with crisp West Australian wines. It’s undoubtedly a different kind of seafood experience, but one where, against an incredible seascape, the focus is on savouring the journey just as much as the food.

Rosie's Proper Fish & Chips in Coledale, south of Sydney.
Rosie's Proper Fish & Chips in Coledale, south of Sydney.
The venue gives a taste of the classic British chippy.
The venue gives a taste of the classic British chippy.

10 Coledale, NSW

In the quaint seaside town of Coledale, north of Wollongong, is a small shop making a big impact. Run by British-born chef Ben Sinfield and his partner, Tania Ho, Rosie’s Proper Fish and Chips offers a taste of classic British chippies, complete with crispy, beer-battered local flathead and thick-cut chips fried in traditional beef dripping, a rarity in Australia but a nostalgic delight for many expats. The hand-cut chips are triple-cooked in grass-fed Australian beef fat and made from Southern Highlands potatoes. They are a two-day labour of love and the long line of dedicated locals and curious travellers shows it’s a recipe that works. Sourcing only local, wild-caught fish such as pink ling, flathead, sea bream and blue mackerel, Rosie’s keeps it fresh and ethical, working directly with nearby fishermen. And for those Brits who are really missing home, there’s a delightfully squidgy hot chip butty with gravy.

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/travel/best-fish-and-chips-from-albany-to-apollo-bay-and-the-sunshine-coast/news-story/974d6012dc110caf9780905007f12093