Rockpool Beach House, 4 Samuel Street, Dongara 6525, Western Australia | Phone 0400 238 012 | Host Debbie Thompson
Things to Do
Activities and tours in Dongara and the Mid West ...
Something for Everyone
In addition to the highlights on this page, there are plenty of things to do that will suit every member of your family. Here are some ideas:
- Our picturesque 18 hole golf course has grass greens and fairways with shady trees. Tel: 9927 2727.
- Hire golf clubs and buggies, tennis rackets and push bikes at Dongara Sport & Tackle. Tel: 9927 1196
- Dongara Activity Park offers archery, mini golf, croquet and more. Open long weekends and WA gazetted school holidays, 10.00am–4.00pm. Tel: 9927 2864
- Indulge with a little beauty therapy at Under the Bays Beauty Fusion
Tel:9927 1661 - Yoga with Cassie at the Recreation Sports Centre on Point Leander Drive Tuesdays. 9.30am
Flow Vinyasa - 0414 505 723 6.00pm Seniors and beginners. Not running during school holidays. - Our Drive-In Cinema screens the latest films during the summer. One of only two in WA. September to May. Check for current screenings on the Dongara Denison Drive Ins Facebook page.
- New Leaf Connect provides wonderful tours and custom trips across the beautiful Mid-West in celebration of all things local. Tel: 0474 922 522
- Speed trials for cars built prior to 1985! The Denison Foreshore Sprint is held on the long weekend in September - Facebook page.
- The Illegal Tender Rum Co has already won 13 International Awards. Join an informative distillery tour or taste the smoothest rum at the cellar door.
- Bird watchers will want to explore the Irwin River Nature Trails and board walk. Pelicans, black swans and numerous water birds make their home in the sheltered estuary of the panoramic river mouth.
Fantastic Fishing
Fish off the beach for good catches of tailor, snapper and whiting. Bring your boat for tailor, snapper, bald chin groper, whiting and dhufish. To set pots for Western Rock Lobster you will need a recreational Rock Lobster Licence. Apply online to fish.wa.gov.au
The recreational boat ramp is located directly opposite Rockpool Beach House and there is plenty of room to park your boat at the house.
Alternatively, book a two hour tour with Ocean Addiction Charters. Watch the lobster pots being pulled by long term Dongara fisherman Dan Ritchie and walk away with a share of the catch! Or spend a day out on the ocean fishing. Call 0408 246 230
The mid-west is also the home of the famous Western Rock Lobster, with the professional fishing fleet working all year. Meet the boats down at the jetty, and watch the days catch being unloaded.
Our Western Australian Rock Lobster Fishery was awarded the inaugural World Marine Stewardship for Sustainable Fishing in Brussels 2000. The professional fleet works all year and you can meet the boats unloading at the jetty late morning and early afternoon. Some may sell lobster from the back of the boat.
If you prefer to enjoy your seafood without throwing a line or pulling a pot, delicious fresh fish and lobster from our local waters is available from SEAZ Denison Seafood located at the jetty. Call 0487 480 573
Sand, Surf and Skateboarding
Dongara is blessed with soft, silky sand beaches, big white dunes, and plenty of surf.
You'll find a good surf break at The Point, located at the south end of the Marina, and ideal wind surfing conditions anywhere along the coast.
Make the most of our sensational sand dunes too. Sandboarding is a must for the whole family!
Bring your skateboard and enjoy a holiday roll opposite the beach on Ocean Drive, Port Denison. A BMX track is alongside.
Alternatively, if you want to just take it easy, there are endless beaches where you can catch up on a good book, catch the tranquillity of an early morning walk on South Beach, bodyboard the waves or win a game of beach cricket.
Wildflower Season
Stunning carpets of world famous pink everlasting and pom-pom wildflowers are on show at Mingenew and the Coalseam Conservation Park from late August to October.
Drive 30km East to Mingenew, then 30km north east on the Mingenew/Morawa & Coalseam Road. You can find out about the best spots to visit by calling Mingenew Tourist Centre on 9928 1460.
Wine, Olives & Illegal Rum
We recommend wine tasting and cellar sales at Irwin River Winery, winner of two awards at the Australian Small Wine Makers Show. The label also won national gold with a beautiful design of our local red tail black cockatoo.
The winery is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 12.00 – 5.00pm. Call 9927 5076 for more information.
Another great gourmet outing is to Silverdale Olive Orchard (pictured here) for olive tasting. Pick your own olives between March and June.
The orchard is 10km north of Dongara and open most Saturdays. Call 9927 2674 to find out more.
The Illegal Tender Rum Co has already won 13 International awards.
Join an informative distillery tour or taste the smoothest rum at the cellar door.
Located at 35 Illyarrie Road, Dongara. 0435 818 887 w: illegaltenderrumco.com
Ellendale Pool
Ellendale Pool is a spectacular rocky gorge with a deep freshwater pool fringed by picturesque rushes. We call it our very own little Karajini National Park!
This is wonderful setting for a picnic and walk. The sun setting on the cliff face is particularly beautiful.
The lovely drive through local farmland is around 62km and takes about 45 mins.
- Drive north from Dongara on Brand Highway for approx 37km.
- Turn right on to Hamersley Road at the little bridge.
- Go to the T junction, turn right onto Evans Rd and drive approx 5km to the tiny town of Walkaway.
- Continue through Walkaway and turn right at the T junction onto Nangetty West Rd.
- Drive approx 13 kms to the turnoff on your left to Ellendale Pool Rd.
- Drive for approx 7km (the last 5km is good gravel).
Abrolhos Islands
Charter a boat or plane and head for the wild and remote Abrolhos Islands, site of the mutinous Dutch East India Batavia wreck and unique home to a working fishing fleet and their families.
Shine Aviation, Geraldton Air Charters and Batavia Coast Air Charter will give you a birds-eye view of the spectacular archipelago of 122 islands, fringing reefs and atolls.
The day tours are a nature lover's dream, with abundant sea life, maritime history, tropical fish and colourful coral.
Contact Shine Aviation 9923 3600, Geraldton Air Charter 9923 3434 or Batavia Coast Air Charter 1300 660 834.
Heritage Trails
Dongara
Take a leisurely 1.6km walk through Dongara following the map of 28 heritage listed buildings, including Russ Cottage (1860), the Wall of Remembrance for the Dominican Nuns, and Old Police Station, now the Irwin District Museum (pictured here).
Call Dongara Denison Tourist Information Centre on 9927 1404 to find out more.
Greenough
The historic Greenough Hamlet is situated 41 km north of Dongara on the Greenough Flats and has a collection of 11 pioneer buildings built from 1862.
Nearby are the famous leaning trees of Greenough (Eucalyptus camaldulensis - Red River Gum).
Tearooms and tours are laid on for visitors. Call 9926 1084 for more information.
