These are the #1 fish and chips in each state

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We quizzed our readers on where to find the best fish and chips around the country. Here, we crown the winners in each state.

The humble chippo is an Aussie staple. We’re blessed with vast stretches of coast that give rise to a bounty of seafood that’s among the best in the world.

What’s the recipe for fish and chip perfection? It looks something like this: golden chips, a decent portion of fish (always battered over grilled), a potato scallop or some calamari to mix it up, a wedge of lemon, tartare sauce, lots of butcher’s paper to wrap it up and a nice spot to enjoy it all.

If you’re curious to see where to get the best fish and chips around Australia, our well-fed readers have given us the lowdown on the best chippys in each state.

Best fish and chips in NSW

New South Wales is renowned for its stunning stretch of coastline – made all the better with a parcel of fish and chips in hand. But the best chippo in the state is actually on the far-flung Lord Howe Island. Benny’s Fish Truck can be found in a different spot each day, serving up juicy, local catch battered to perfection. Wherever the truck is parked for the day, it’s worth tracking down for a great feed and excellent views.


Honourable mention

Out of the Blue in Clovelly, Sydney is a classic Aussie chippy with a flavoursome French twist. Run by French-born duo Jean and Sophie, this cozy takeaway has earned a loyal following, particularly for its mouthwatering fish burgers. Small but always buzzing with activity, it’s a cherished staple of the community.

 

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Other chippos we love:

Mollymook Beach Hut Cafe on the South Coast and Bobby’s Cronulla in Sydney’s Shire.

Best fish and chips in Tasmania

Down in Tasmania, the pristine environment and passionate local producers makes the state an ideal place to hit the coastal road and indulge in its best local bounties.

Fish Frenzy opened on Hobart’s Elizabeth Street Pier in 1998. In the years since, its quality seafood, fast service and innovative presentation have won accolade after accolade. The chippy is located in an old warehouse overlooking the pier, providing a side of great views to a delectable feed.

 

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Honourable mention

Oysters are technically the focus at Freycinet Marine Farm. But these briny bivalves make a great addition to a classic plate of fish and chips that you can enjoy on the deck or for takeaway. And with the water sparkling just metres away, you know the seafood hasn’t come far.

Other chippos we love:

Tasmanian Coastal Seafoods in Bicheno and Rupert and Hound in Launceston for a fancy feed.

Best fish and chips in Victoria

According to our readers, the Great Ocean Road provides the perfect backdrop in which to enjoy a humble serving of fish and chips. And the crème de la crème was singled out as a feed at Fishos Torquay. Here, produce here is about as local as you can get. Potatoes come fresh from the farm and are hand-cut onsite. Seafood is locally sourced. There are also elevated twists on classic fish shop fare, such as kingfish crudo and mussels cooked in parsley butter. Yum.

Fishos Torquay fish and chips
Fishos Torquay is about as local as you can get.

Honourable mentions

Apollo Bay is the Victorian capital of the southern rock lobster and the Fish and Chip Co-Op is where it’s done best. Drop by and try the latest fresh catch while watching the crays being offloaded from the boats.

San Remo Fisherman’s Co-Op has serviced the needs of the seafood-loving Gippsland community since 1948 – and they were a name that up came up frequently with our readers. The locally caught gummy shark is a menu highlight.

Fish and Chip Co-Op.
The latest catch at Fish and Chip Co-Op.

Other chippos we love:

Hunky Dory in Melbourne and Peninsula Fresh Seafood on the Mornington Peninsula.

Best fish and chips in WA

Western Australia is blessed with beautiful beachside breaks stretching right along the magnificent mainland coastline. If you don’t mind doing a bit of the food prep yourself, the state’s back of boat crayfish sales are booming.

wild-caught WA crayfish
Wild-caught WA crayfish are a highlight of the region. (Image: Rachel Claire)

Swap out your fish for a half crayfish at Dynamite Bay takeaway, an oft-cited favourite gem tucked away in Green Bay between Geraldton and Perth. Expect succulent fish, delightfully stringy calamari and a tempting dessert cabinet.

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Other chippos we love:

Grand Lane Fish House in Perth and Frankie’s On Rotto on Wadjemup/Rottnest Island

Best fish and chips in SA

If our readers were anything to go by, you’d think The Stunned Mullet was the only fish and chip shop in South Australia.

Meet you at Henley Beach.

Each summer, a line of fish-and-chip-lovers winds out the door of Henley Beach’s favourite store. Most are in search of the decadent King George whiting, accompanied by an excessive amount of chips. If you prefer your bounty on a budget, the butterfish is another winner.

Other chippos we love:  Vivonne Bay General Store on Kangaroo Island, Fish Out Of Water in Adelaide and Flying Fish Restaurant & Café in Port Elliot.

Best fish and chips in Queensland

Unsurprisingly, our readers couldn’t get enough of fish and chips in Queensland. The standout favourite was Vellas on Sydney, a family-owned chip shop that embodies everything a great chippy should offer: fresh produce, hearty portions, and warm, welcoming service.

Honourable mentions

It’s not quite classic chip shop fare, but the ocean-side dining institution Rick Shores does a highly Instagrammable (and delicious) Moreton Bay bug roll that we simply can’t fail to mention.

waterfront dining at Rick Shores, Gold Coast
Rick Shores is an upscale eatery which has built a cult following for its Moreton Bay bug roll. (Image: Mathilde Bouby)

Other chippos we love: Three Girls Fishing in Brisbane and Burleigh’s Red Hot Cod.

Best fish and chips in the NT

Frying Nemo Fish and Chips is consistently ranked as a finalist in national seafood awards, not just in the state, but in the entire country. This truly Territorian experience is positioned right on the waterfront at Tipperary Waters Marina.
Frying Nemo specialises in wild-caught produce – with a menu that runs the gamut of animals like crocodile, buffalo, camel and kangaroo, alongside the NT’s famous Barramundi. They’re also fully licensed, with a well-stocked fridge of Territorian brews.

Frying Nemo on the water is Darwin’s favourite fish and chippery.

Other chippos we love: Wulagi Fish and Chips and La Beach Fish & Chips, both in Darwin.

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8 insider experiences to discover the offbeat in Newcastle

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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    Discover vibrant culture and creativity, gorgeous nature spots and more in lively Newcastle.

    Newcastle/Muloobinba has a lot going for it beyond its big skies and beautiful beaches. The city’s creative types are now heading downtown, taking over and transforming warehouses and terraces to offer a more alternative vibe. From its nightlife to secret swimming spots, art to architecture, here’s our insider’s guide to Newcastle in New South Wales.

    1. Learn to sail on Newcastle Harbour

    The harbour has always shaped Newcastle, so it seems like the most obvious place to start your weekend. Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club offers a range of programs that provide instruction for both novice and experienced sailors. This is an inspired classroom that sets off past the Honeysuckle Foreshore up the Hunter River, with views towards a seemingly infinite vista of blue stretching to the horizon. It’s the perfect way to savour your time by the sea. Other water activities include surfing, swimming in one of the secret ocean baths or whale-watching with CoastXP.

    Aerial view of Newcastle Harbour.
    Join Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club’s programs. (Image: City of Newcastle)

    2. Underground jazz scene

    Follow the lively sound of the saxophone bubbling up to find The Underground. The popular basement-level bar, with its dim lighting and speakeasy aesthetic, schedules live jazz performances every Tuesday and Thursday. Newcastle is known around the country for supporting live music and this late-night New York-style jazz bar is, like the city itself, both approachable and sophisticated. For fans of live music, Queen’s Wharf Hotel, King Street Newcastle, Mad Poet and The Lucky Hotel are all popular pubs for their roster of live music.

     

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    3. The city as a canvas   

    The streets of Newcastle present like an outdoor art gallery, adding beauty to the everyday with large-scale works by artists such as Fintan Magee, Inari Meyers, Tom Henderson and Sophia Flegg. Hire a Flash E-bike and pedal around the streets to find treasures such as Bronte Naylor’s Mirror Ocean in Civic Square or Sky & Ocean at South Newcastle Beach Skate Park. You can also join Newy Tour Co.’s Discover Newcastle tour to explore city highlights, architectural gems and street art with an expert guide.

    Friends take in Newcastle Street Art.
    Admire stunning works of art displayed all around you. (Image: Destination NSW)

    4. An artist’s view of Newcastle

    There’s a real sense of optimism around Newcastle, stemming from its many grassroots art galleries and organisations. The city is home to an eclectic array of artists who gravitate toward different mediums; see their works on show at independent galleries such as The Lock-Up, which operated as a police station from 1861 until 1982, and Lighthouse Arts Newcastle in the light-filled cottages on Nobbys Head/Whibayganba. Stop by The Creator Incubator to see the Little and Big gallery spaces. Newcastle Art Gallery will soon reopen after a recent expansion, so keep an eye out.

    5. Newcastle after dark

    The small bars confetti’d around Newcastle are a sign of the times. Visitors to the compact city will find a concentration of bars within a small radius, all of which are within easy walking distance or accessible via the light rail. The after-dark experience, which includes theatre and live music, is designed for visitors who are in search of the offbeat and want to celebrate the city’s creativity.  Whether you’re visiting for business or pleasure, the bars that dot most neighbourhoods will tempt you with everything from happy hour to their alt attitude. 

    A bartender expertly crafting a drink, with a stunning library of spirits in the background.
    Enjoy a night out at a lively bar. (Image: City of Newcastle)

    6. Indulge in great gastronomy

    Newcastle’s proximity to the Hunter Valley has helped establish it as a sophisticated getaway for gourmands with a passion for provenance. Dining options in the city are diverse, with everything from casual cafes to cantina-style Mexican eateries such as Antojitos, through to fine diners such as Flotilla and Jana Restaurant & Bar at QT Newcastle. Visit during Newcastle Food Month to get a snapshot of the local culinary scene – you can take note of the many world-class restaurants and cafes that warrant a return visit. Humbug, Peregrin and Bistro Penny should also be on your radar.

    The dining area at Flotilla in Newcastle NSW.
    Savour a world-class dining experience at Flotilla. (Image: Flotilla)

    7. Crystalbrook Kingsley

    Crystalbrook Kingsley is another great example of Newcastle’s new wow factor.  Staying at the hotel – in the heart of the cultural centre – makes exploring a breeze, with vintage bikes for guests who want to check out the city streets on two wheels. The design-savvy Crystalbrook Collection reimagined the Roundhouse building while adhering to its ethos of sustainable luxury. The hotel is also a magnet for foodies, with the rooftop Roundhouse restaurant and cocktail bar, Romberg’s, two of the best spots in the city for wining and dining.

    The Roundhouse by Crystalbrook Collection.
    Step into the reworked Roundhouse by Crystalbrook. (Image: Crystalbrook Kingsley)

    8. Newcastle’s creative side on show

    Save the date for New Annual, a festival of art, music and ideas from 26 September – 5 October. The program is jam-packed with 10 days of art, culture and creativity. This year’s festival will celebrate the power art has to connect people. Expect to see a diverse program including music, theatre, workshops, and performances in iconic Newcastle locations. Visitors will find a concentration of events within a small radius, all of which are within easy walking distance or accessible via the light rail.

    Dancers performing gracefully, accompanied by a live orchestra.
    Celebrate migration, community and belonging at New Annual.

    Plan your next trip to offbeat Newcastle.

    Where to find the best fish and chips around Australia