port smith, barn hill and or Broome caravan parks? oh and elquestro while Im her

Don't forget 80 mile beach if it's open after the cyclone went through there earlier this year.....
It's a great spot also & the fishing is great there as well.

We spent one night at Barn Hill 2 years ago - never again! Its a place where fisherfolk (and we are not fishermen/women) go year after year and stay for weeks/months on end. If you want power you are crammed in like sardines - the unpowered area was more relaxed. Because of the regular clientele there seems to have been a system of unwritten "rules" grow up about who/how/when you use the facilities. I have heard of people being reduced to tears because they did not know how the queueing system for the washing machines worked.

The beach is probably great for fishing but didn't look too great for swimming, and I really don't think I saw anything there to keep young children occupied. Sure, there is a mini bowling green and a weekly craft fair, if crocheted toilet roll covers are your idea of a holiday!

I suggest that you try to book a spot in Broome - we have stayed at the Tarangau a few times and found it pleasant (though like all the CPs it will be crowded). There is plenty to do in and around Broome and there is bound to be a spot where the children can try their hand at fishing.

Cheers,

Val

Hi Chipsy,
We did a trip up northwest from Perth last year. We missed the big rush in Broome as we got there at the end of May, so we did not have a problem getting into a caravan park. Port Smith is lovely, but beware of the sandflies, they are in the caravan park and they are potent. For my wife and I, we found barn hill to be one of the best places we have been to. It is one of a few or if not the only Northwest beach that does not have sand flies or any other bities that we have experienced. We were sad to move on from barn hill.
Enjoy your travels and have a safe trip.

Both Barn Hill and Port Smith are nice - just quite different.
There are a lot of regulars at Barn Hill who stay for weeks or months, but we camped a few nights and had a nice shady spot (with power, I recall). There was a lawn bowling green. The beach is good for swimming with good sandy beach interspersed with brilliant red rocky outcrops. Drinks at sunset recommended.
Port Smith has mainly mangroves, with no beach, but you can put a boat in, and when we stayed a few years back they loaned you a wire hook to search for muddies at dawn. The campsite was grassed, and there was reasonable shade. And a golf course.
I'd have no hesitation in going back to either.
Gerry

stayed at barn hill last year 2009. great spot , did not find any hostility. lawn bowls if you like, bread homemade each day if ordered. great beach easy walk plenty of facilities no roof on toilets limited power limited wattage (really lights only...still a great place wife loved it regards bill

I would recommend firstly stopping in Broome as it is at least an hour to Barred Creek. The sandflies can be horrific
80 Mile Beach would be the best bet as a family. Port Smith C/P is 5kms from the water which is a mangrove swamp.
Barn Hill is a retreat for the Grey Nomad Brigade and has on shore dumpers which are no good for little kids.
I would recommend booking for Broome as it will be getting busy.

Tamery

Can recommend both 80 mile beach and Pt Smith. Pt Smith is a beautiful walk out along the mangroves at low tide but, smother the insect repellent on; esp the kids. And I mean SMOTHER! I was badly knocked up by bites and still have a few scars.

When we had a look nth of Broome two years ago at about that time, all the van campsites (free camping) were overcrowed and Quandong Pt (the biggest) was just a zoo!. It's a nice 4WD trip but I wouldn't take a caravan up there for that reason.

If you're tenting you might find a nice site or two.

Cheers.

Chipsy

I love both Barn Hill and Port Smith.
Kids love Port Smith. The estuary, mangroves and tidal flats are way more fun than the Barn Hill shorebreak. There is safer kid swimming at Port Smith than Barn Hill

Check out Port Smith website for some pics.

Port Smith

I'm sure you'll enjoy either.

thanks everyone, Im more confused than ever but we will just get out there cross fingers, try some places out and see how we go.