PORT HOWARD
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
FALKLAND
ISLANDS PORT HOWARD |
|
|
|
Port Howard is the largest remaining sheep farm on West Falkland – its 200,000 acres support approximately 45,000 sheep which produce about 550 bales of wool annually. In addition they also run about 500 cattle.
Lying behind a rocky coastal ridge on the west side of Falkland Sound, and at the base of Mount Maria (2400 ft) the settlement of Port Howard is one of the most picturesque in the Islands, especially in springtime when the gorse (Ulex europea) is in full bloom.
Accommodation
There are two choices for accommodation – both offering a warm welcome and a great base from which to explore all that Port Howard has to offer.
Port Howard Lodge – formerly the farm managers house, but now converted into a comfortable 7 room lodge (all ensuite) with a lounge, honesty bar, dining room and conservatory. The house was originally built in 1952 and still retains the charm of that era. The well manicured lawns and many hedges in the garden provide a great area for enjoying the Falklands sun and fresh air, or you could even try your hand on the putting green. Your hosts at the lodge are Susan Lowe and her partner Wayne.
Port Howard Guesthouse, owned and run by Jim & Lesley Woodward, which offers one double, one twin and one single room in an historic nineteenth century house with great views over Port Howard settlement and harbour.
Activities
In the grounds of the lodge there is a small museum giving an insight into the 1982 conflict when 1000 Argentine troops occupied the settlement. SAS Captain Gavin John Hamilton MC who died during the conflict is buried in the Port Howard cemetery. At the edge of the settlement there are some well-marked minefields remaining from this period, and guided excursions can take visitors to some of the areas that figured during the conflict.
| Although wildlife is not Port Howard’s principle attraction a gentoo penguin colony and a large number of waterfowl can be found at Gladstone Bay, only an hours drive from the settlement. Colonies of king and rock shags can be found along the low cliffs and black-crowned night herons breed on the tussac grass on the sides of the cliffs. On the drive to Gladstone Bay you will get magnificent views of Port Howard and Falkland Sound to the south, and over Purvis Harbour to Pebble Island to the northwest. | Gladstone Bay wildlife checklist:
|
|
Port Howard offers one of the best golf courses in the Islands. The nine-green/eighteen tees Clippy Hill course offers a challenge to golfers of all standards. With no queues and just handful of people on the course at any one time, whilst in beautiful surroundings, this is the perfect way to relax. Professional golfer Bernhard Gallagher played the Clippy Hill course in 1989.
You will have ample opportunity to see a working farm in full flow, especially if you are visiting during the summer season when you may be able to view the process of gathering, sheep shearing, wool classing and baling, and even maybe the final product being loaded onto the intercoastal vessel which also delivers stores, fuel and any personal goods to the farms around the Islands.
Fishing
Undoubtedly one of the main attractions of Port Howard is the superb fishing. Both sea and brown trout and well as the Falkland mullet are all entertaining sport for avid fisherman. There are two main rivers accessible from this destination.
The Warrah River, situated about a 40 minutes drive from Port Howard Lodge, will be your destination for two days fishing. This is quite a short river but offers great sport fishing with a reputation for the size of its fish rather than for the numbers of them. The Warrah’s main tributary, Green Hill Stream, offers an alternative with several excellent pools.
The Chartres River, just over one hours drive from Port Howard, is known for its consistent numbers of 3 to 6 pounders rather than the size of its fish. A pool not to be missed on this river is Mrs Mac’s.
Closer to Port Howard settlement the tidal waters of Bold Cove and Many Branch Creek and Harbour can also be fished.
"There are, to be sure, other locales where sea trout grow larger, but I cannot think of any where the fishing is so utterly natural and devoid of commercialisation." John Ross--American Fishing Writer
