Situated around 360 kms north of Perth and south of the Geraldton region, is the beautiful coastal twin town of Dongara – Port Denison, separated by the Irwin River.
The Old Jetty – Port Denison
We stayed in Port Denison at the Dongara Tourist Park which is conveniently situated just a couple of hundred metres from the marina and boat launching facilities. The Park is adjacent to a beautiful sandy beach which is ideal for long quiet walks.
Dongara Caravan Park – Port Denison
What we loved so much was that each day we could either walk along South beach or take a casual stroll down along the Port Denison Foreshore marina and watch some of the cray boats unloading their catch. The whole area and foreshore is so clean and tidy, with some lovely playgrounds for the kids and great BBQ areas for everyone to enjoy. It also supplies free Wi-Fi. Just outside the area of the marina you’ll find a great little calm beach called Granny’s Beach. Here you can either have a relaxing swim and why not enjoy a coffee from the Green Beanie Café which is an old retro caravan. Its Oh-so-Cute.
Port Denison
The Green Beanie coffee van on the Port Denison foreshore.
Further along the walking path heading north towards the entrance of the Irwin River you will find metal art silhouettes of service men and women as a visual memorial for those who served our country in different Wars. It portrays a very powerful message.
When doing our long walks along South Beach we would stop on the way back home the Starfish Café for a coffee. You will find this little Café at the South Beach car park. Also just a few minutes’ walk from the Caravan Park we found a great group of shops located across the road from the marina’s foreshore park. A great fish and chip shop (yummy), bakery/café (thumbs up), Celebrations liquor and small grocery store. If you feel like a meal out then there is always the Southerly’s Bar and Restaurant, just a short walk from the caravan park.
The Dongara Caravan Park is just wonderful and features:
• Great management and staff
• Clean amenities
• Dump point
• Laundry
• Camp Kitchen
• BBQ area which also provides a wonderful shady area filled with some wonderful lush green plants.
• Large shady concrete or grassy sites with power and water
• TV reception
• Jumping Pillow
• Deluxe cabins and studios with Wi-Fi.
• Pet friendly
• Access to South Beach.
Camp Kitchen – Port Denison
We received great service from the Manageress and reception, thanks Julie and Monique and the grounds staff who each go out of their way to make sure your stay is as good as it can be. We arrived just a few days before a WA long weekend and we were told the park was almost booked out. When we arrived there were only a handful of campers, but by the Saturday the place was a buzz with all sorts of travellers. Yep the Park filled up very quickly and we realised how lucky we were to arrive when we did.
Dongara
The town of Dongara is not far away, where you will find the local main shopping center as well as the heritage listed Dongara Visitor Information Centre and the Irwin District Museum. You may also be interested in taking a 4.6 km self-guided walk around town showing 28 heritage buildings. Pick up a booklet from the information centre. The main street has some very old and quite large Moreton Bay Fig Trees. In town is a Guardian Pharmacy, IGA, Bakery, Newsagent and a couple of cute cafes, a fish and chip shop, the pub and a couple of stores. There’s also free Wi-Fi available on Moreton Terrace.
Dongara Visitors Centre
In Dongara you will also find a FREE 24 hour rest area, BUT it’s only available to fully self-contained caravans and motorhomes. The rest area is within walking distance of the main shops and pub. The Shire of Irwin encourages those stopping to support local business.
Seven Mile Beach just north of Dongara also has a short term FREE camp area but again only for self-contained caravans or motorhomes. There are no facilities available and you will be checked for compliance so don’t think about staying if you are not fully self-contained.
72 Hour Self-contained camping area near Port Denison – Dongara
They also have a Drive-In (movie) off Port Denison Drive which dates back to 1966 and shows movies each Saturday night. Dongara Markets are held on the first Saturday morning of each month but also on long weekends and Easter. Make sure you check the dates.
Dongara Tourist Park is amongst the few parks we have stayed in that we can say is one of our favourite places. The locals of Dongara-Port Denison have made us feel very welcomed. Thank you and congratulations on doing such a wonderful job with the towns and supporting us, the travellers.
Below are a list of others places we have visited that may be of interest to you:
Free Camps – Broken Hill to Cobar -NSW
NSW – Free camps, Donation camps, Showgrounds and Caravan Parks 2019
South Australia to Western Australia 2019
South Australia trip 2017/2018
Western Australia Coastal Trip 2018
Northern Territory – Free camps, Donation camps and Caravan Parks 2018/2019
Queensland Road Trip 2017/2018
Well that’s enough for now.
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Happy Aussie Caravanning Lifestyle
Dixie and Graeme