After leaving the Great Northern Highway and driving 23km on a dusty red dirt road, we arrived at Port Smith caravan park ($35 power & water), about 166km south of Broome.
Port Smith was originally a successful pearl farm but after years of operation was forced to close because a virus attacked the pearls. The owner, who still lives on his property near the lagoon, developed the caravan park and a bird sanctuary there. He eventually sold the caravan park to its present owners and closed the bird sanctuary 2 years ago. There is only the caravan park and the former owners property in the area, but it is a very good fishing spot.
On the afternoon of our arrival we walked down the dusty red dirt road to the lagoon, which is between 2 mangrove areas with a clear sandy area in the middle where the tidal ocean flows in and out. We were there at low tide and walked out a long way over the mud flats to the water where we saw a turtle swimming in the lagoon. Its a safe swimming area - no crocs.
The next day we walked down to the lagoon at high tide and spent a few hours enjoying the beach and swimming in the lagoon. Back to the van for lunch and then went back in the afternoon at low tide to take photos of the mud flats and mangroves. We saw a group of wallabies by the road.
Every Thursday night the caravan park holds a fish & chips dinner, where campers take their own chairs, table, drinks, plates etc and sit around campfires. Dinner cost $5 per person and was well worth it as the fish is freshly caught and donated by fishermen in the park and the park management.
Seconds were available for a gold coin donation and all proceeds of the night go to the Flying Doctor Service. There was a five piece Aboriginal band which was excellent and raffles were held with the prizes being huge mud crabs. Unfortunately we didnt win one!!! We joined Willie & Rachel (friends from Broome) and Ken and Chris and their dog Bonny, who were our neighbours at the park and had a top night.
We loved this caravan park. The staff were great, bathrooms were always clean and management charged reasonable prices for everything ($3.80 for a loaf of bread, not $5.40 as we have paid in lots of parks). If we were keen fishermen we would have stayed longer.
Cheers
Rhonda (Sam) & Pete
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