Sun, Fun and great times!
We have put together our list of favorite things to do while Staying with kids and teens at dongara tourist park
DONGARA – PORT DENISON
The city is great for everything water and wind based from swimming to surfing, kite surfing, canoeing, sailing, and fishing. And if you are not keen on testing your gills, then there are land-based thrills too.
Activity Park – Archery, Mini Golf, Bocci, Carpet Bowls, Croquet and more – Channel your inner hunter at Dongara Activity Park. Bbq and picnic facilities available. Matsen Road
Barefoot Bowling – Denison Bowling Club on Pt Leander Drive. Heaps of Fun!
Beach Volleyball / Beach Cricket – South Beach or any of our beaches
BMX / Pump Track / Skate Park – Irwin Recreation Centre, Ridley Street. Awesome and free!
Boating / Sailing – Launch your vessel at Port Denison Harbour.
Bocci – South Beach, just behind the dunes. You may bocci for miles!
Body Surfing – South Beach, don’t forget your boogie board
Did someone say Golf? – The Dongara Golf Course offers an 18-hole course with spectacular views of the town and the Indian Ocean. Golf gear and buggies for hire. For buggy hire contact the Backpackers (99 271 332)
Exploring our Cliffs – There is a great cliff walk from South Beach to the Obelisk. Keep your eyes open for sea urchins, crabs, birds and some really tough wildflowers.
Family Fun – Check out the Dongara Markets, every 1st Saturday morning of the month at Town Park, the local Op Shop on Moreton Tce for dress up rehearsals and any of the cool arts & crafts stores. There is even a sports store for additional family fun essentials.
Fishing – Big and little people fish off the jetty at the Boat Harbour and the platform on the northern groin between the harbour and Granny’s Beach. Beach fishing is great off South Beach too.
Geocaching – Join the world’s largest treasure hunt with more than ten geocaches in Dongara-Port Denison. For details check out geocaching.com.
Kayaking, Canoeing – Explore the Irwin River and its estuary from the launch pad off Retreat Boulevard. Paddle towards the beach or to the bridge on Pt Leander Drive and beyond.
Kite Fighting – South Beach, our expanse of bare sand is perfect for this.
Mini Golf– Fun for everyone at Dongara Activity Park, Matsen Road
Movie under the Stars – Dongara Denison Drive in Cinema, Saturdays during the summer, Pt Leander Drive. Check their Facebook page for screening times and dates.
Nature Walks – The Thungarra Trails offer some exciting walks. Our favourite one takes you around the Irwin River: shady groves, lookouts, places to hide! And heaps of cafes to quench your thirst along the way. Another one starts at the Obelisk along Ocean Drive toward the estuary and back along the beach passing the ANZAC soldiers and several great lookouts. Ask at reception for trail maps.
Playgrounds – Port Denison Foreshore, Irwin Recreation Centre, the Fairy Garden on the south side of the bridge between the twin, Northshore off Sunset Cover and Town Park on Hoskin Street.
Cycling – Our favourite trail follows along the foreshore and Ocean Drive, past the Anzac Memorial all the way up along the Irwin River. The southern section is scenic with several lookouts, great for some pretty special Insta-moments. When cycling along the river mouth boardwalk, stay on the path closest to the river which then turns into a gravel track that follows the river’s edge. You can even cross over the bridge and cycle around the Dongara side of town.
Roller Disco – Irwin Recreation Centre in Ridley Street – a throwback to the 80’s with roller skates for hire. Drop into the local Op Shop beforehand for some fancy / crazy attire 🙂
Sand Boarding – Test some of the larger sand bowls and dunes at the southern end of South Beach
Sandcastles – South Beach, near the Surf Life Savers club
Swimming – Depending on the wind our recommendations are South Beach and Grannies Pool and for the Littelies, the western end of the Port Denison Harbour.
Snorkelling – South Beach, the reef is just a stone throw away! And Nun’s Pool.
Heritage Trail – The 4km Dongara Heritage Walk is great with lots of historic buildings, landmarks and some great murals. Ask reception for a flyer or the 34-page Heritage Walk book with the best stories the town has to offer.
Historical Museums – For even more history, check out the Irwin District Museum & Police Station on Waldeck Street or the 1881 Russ Cottage, on the corner of Pt Leander Dve and St Dominicans Rd, and the Mini-Maritime Museum at the Pack Out Room of the Geraldton Fisherman’s Co-Op Building (Old Crayfish Factory) on the northern end of the Foreshore. Most museums open daily from 10am – 12pm.
Teasing Seagulls – Grab your feed from the Port Store and chill on the rock walls overlooking Port Denison Harbour. The gulls will love you!
Treasure Hunts and Night Scavengers – The bushes and scrubs in and around Dongara Tourist Park, the foreshore and the dunes on South Beach are great!
Wind Surfing – South Beach, for sure!
Zorb Fights – Any of the beaches will do, but you will need to bring your own Zorb Orbs!
ORGANISED TOURS
New Leaf Connect – Our local on-land tour provider. They offer a range of half and full day trips. 4 anchor points are available in their 12-seater tour van, BYO car seats for little tackers. Check out their website or give them a call for the latest tours on offer: www.newleafconnect.com.au / Elyce – 0474 922 552
Ocean Addiction Charters – Launching in 2022, they offer fishing and crayfishing charters from Port Denison. Check out their website, www.oceanaddictioncharters.com.au or give them a call, Dan – 0400 244 705 / Kate – 0408 246 230
Illegal Tender Rum Co – while the produce is not for the kids, they do have some alpacas for the kids the say hello to. If you choose to take kids here, do make sure they are supervised and well behaved at all times. Have a tour and tasting of their locally produced Illegal Tender Rum, their Stableviews Gin and grab a bite to eat at The Common Place. Check their website or give them a call for their latest tour and opening times as things can change depending on the weather. Given they are a distillery, they also have restricted times which are only for 18+ so be sure to check in with them first. Illyarrie Rd, Springfield / 99 272 555 / www.illegaltenderrumco.com
ADVENTURES IN THE SURROUNDING AREAS
There is a lot to see for history buffs as well as nature lovers. Discover our backyard and its best kept secrets!
Central Greenough Historic Settlement – The town was established from 1863 and 1913 and is a must see, especially the school and the police station. The café is renowned for scones and tasting local whiskey (adults only). Off the Brand Highway 45kms north of Dongara.
Greenough Museum & Gardens – A great example of pioneer living, surrounded by beautiful gardens with history from Aboriginal times to today. Phillips Road, Greenough on the Brand Highway 50kms north of Dongara.
Greenough Wildlife & Bird Park – Wildlife sanctuary with great holiday activities. For opening times check their website. Company Rd, Greenough
Walkaway Station Museum – Impressive museum, not just for rail enthusiast or historians. 45km north of Dongara, turn off just south of Greenough.
Walkaway Alanta Windfarm – Between Walkaway and Ellendale Pool on Nangetty-Walkaway Road. 50km north of Dongara, turn off just south of Greenough onto Showground Road.
Ellendale Pool – Stunning water hole formed along the picturesque Greenough River. It is surrounded by magnificent gum trees and a rocky gorge. Bbq and picnic facilties available.
62km north of Dongara, turn off just south of Greenough.
Greenough River Trail – This 17-kilometre flat loop offers a mix of coastal vegetation and beautiful river views. Allow at least four hours and take plenty of water. Signage shows maps of the route at various points. Mountain bikes permitted – Greenough River Road, Cape Burney. 55km north of Dongara.
GERALDTON
Geraldton is only a 40-minute drive away with museums, stunning public art, eateries, shopping facilities and don’t get us started on their playgrounds. It’s a great place to beat a couple of windy days.
Geraldton Visitor Centre & Regional Art Gallery – Displays a variety of art projects and exhibitions. Gold Coin Donation. Situated 24 Chapman Road, Geraldton.
HMAS Sydney II Memorial – recognised as a National Memorial for the loss of famous naval ship, HMAS Sydney II off of our coastline 80+ years ago. Free. Situated 7 Gummer Avenue, Geraldton
Museum of Geraldton – celebrates the rich heritage of the land, sea and people of the Mid-West region. Very cool 3D movie of the HMAS Sydney II shipwreck. Free entry. Museum Place, Geraldton.
Old Geraldton Gaol & Craft Centre – The cells are occupied by local artisans. The Craft Group acts as custodians of the Old Gaol to allow access to the public. 84 Chapman Road, Geraldton.
Monsignor Hawes Museum & St Francis Xavier Cathedral – Open daily during daylight hours. Situated 56 Cathedral Avenue.
Horizon Sphere – find Horizon, the city of Geraldton‘s newest #Instaworthy location, on the Beresford Foreshore at the bottom of Dean Street, Geraldton.
Geraldton Foreshore Park from Town to Champion Bay Beach – this place is littered with playgrounds, cafes, public and very cool container restaurants. A sheer delight to explore!
Platform Markets – Fresh produce, hand-made goods, and gifts. Every Sunday morning at the old Railway station, 65 Chapman Rd, Geraldton.
Orana Cinema – Regular and Gold Class available with all the latest movies screening regularly. 229-235 Marine Tce, Geraldton.
WHAT TO BRING – THE BASICS, THE WEIRD & THE WONDERFUL
This list is by no means complete, but a good start 🙂
- Thongs, Reef Shoes
- Rashies, Bathers & Beach Towels
- Sun Cream, After Sun Lotion, Insect Repellent
- Goggles, Snorkels, Flippers
- Push or BMX bike, Scooter, Skateboard
- Surf / Boogie Boards
- SUP, Blow-up Dinghy, Canoe, Kayak
- Fishing Gear
- Kites
- Zorb Balls
- Torches, Binoculars
- Soccer Ball, Beach Volleyball, Beach Cricket Kit
- Bocci Set for the beach
- Crayons for crazy street art
- Skipping Rope
- Anything for Sandcastleing
- Camera, Drone
- Paint brushes and paint to create rock pals that you can hide in the city’s parks
- …
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And don’t forget to bring any card or board games for rainy days – not that we have many!