Heralded as one of the best fishing locations in Australia, Cobourg Peninsula is an idyllic setting where fish are abundant and people are sparse. Jutting from the Northern Territory's north coast, this fishing mecca includes Gurig National Park, encompassing the Peninsula, and the surrounding waters in Cobourg Marine Park. Prevalent marine life includes, dolphins, sea turtles, crocodiles and the fascinating dugong all of which are protected and cannot be hunted except by Aboriginal People who still harvest the sea creatures as a traditional food using traditional methods, including spears - implements that have been used for thousands of years. Although most people visit Cobourg to fish, they do not have to jostle for a place to throw a line as there are less than 1500 visitors to the entire area each year making the place a secluded haven, a quality being preserved through the use of a permit system. "In addition to its fishing, historic, scenic and Aboriginal aspects Cobourg boasts a wealth of flora and fauna on the Peninsula - some found nowhere else." (Kathy Williams - NT Parks & Wildlife). Covering a total area of 450,000 hectares, the Gurig National Park and the Cobourg Marine Park are managed jointly by the local Aboriginal custodians and the Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory through the Cobourg Peninsula Sanctuary and Marine Park Board. A little piece of pristine paradise, Cobourg is highly regarded as the closest any fisherman will get to a sure thing. Influencing this almost rock solid guarantee is the Marine Park's abundance of fish including 250 recorded species among which many are sought after sport and table fish. These include Spanish Mackerel, Barracuda, Queenfish, Trevally, Barramundi, Mangrove Jack, Golden Snapper, Jewfish, Red Emperor, Coral Trout, Cod and Stripey. There are also shellfish, squid and mud crabs, making for an impressive fisherman's basket.