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August 2016
 

Luring tourists to the Top End

Reeling in the tourists

GREY nomads are flocking to register for an event which could land them a million dollars.

The Top End's inaugural Million Dollar Fish competition last year lured nearly 26,000 interstate tourists to the NT, many of them caravanners.

Registrations have now opened for this year's event which gets underway on October 1 and runs until February 28.

And the second season of the competition will have even more prizes to hook tourists and anglers and promote tourism in the Top End.

A total of 101 barramundi will be released in fishing locations across the Territory, one of them carrying a $1 million prize tag.

The remaining 100 have $10,000 cash prize tags.

An extra $160,000 of bonus prizes will also be awarded, making one of Australia’s richest fishing competitions even richer.

Chief Minister and Minister for Tourism Adam Giles said it would build on the success of last year, which attracted more than 43,000 registrations from 62 countries including 25,800 people from interstate and 14,600 Territorians.

Ten prize-tagged barramundi worth $10,000 each were caught in Darwin Harbour, Daly River, Corroborree Billabong and Bynoe Harbour.

The competition also generated national and international media coverage worth more than $22 million.

"There's no doubt the Northern Territory is home to some of the best fishing in the world and everyone wants to catch an iconic Northern Territory barramundi," Mr Giles said.

"The competition is timed to influence travel to the Top End during our low season from October to February.

"Last year's competition generated spin-off benefits for local businesses, with marine dealers reporting a boom in outboard motor servicing, servos selling more fuel and tackle shops and fishing tour operators reporting increases in business.

"Season Two will have a strong focus to encourage anglers to stay, play and fish in our regions like Arnhem Land, Kakadu and Katherine which all offer incredible fishing."

Special "Insider Tips" videos featuring well-known NT fishing identity Alex Julius have been created to give competitors the best chance of catching a tagged barra.

Mr Giles thanked major sponsor CrownBet for continuing to support the NT and providing cash prizes for season two.

The additional bonus prizes include five HelloWorld holidays to five different regions in the NT flying Qantas, a camper trailer worth $30,000, Engel fridges, Shimano and BCF fishing tackle, JMGilles Classic Lures, Accor Hotels for Le Club points, Qantas flights, XXXX GOLD cartons and a fishing charter.

The bonus sponsor prizes will be drawn monthly until next February.

"This means everyone who registers will have the chance to win prizes right up until the end of the season, even if they weren't able to find a tagged fish," Mr Giles said.

Registrations are now open online at www.milliondollarfish.com.au.

CrownBet chief executive Matt Tripp said the NT was the ideal location to stay, play and fish.

"As a proud Darwin citizen, CrownBet is thrilled to partner with the NT Government to present season two of Million Dollar Fish where there's $2 million up for grabs," Mr Tripp said.

"We're committed to driving tourism and economic benefit to the Territory and we're confident this year will be even bigger than season one where fishos hooked 10 barramundi and $100,000 of prizes."

Cricket legend Matthew Hayden will again return as the competition's official ambassador.

"I can't wait to get out on the water with some mates and turn our next NT fishing trip up a notch," he said.

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