Wednesday, May 19, 2010

80 Mile Beach













We stopped here on our way to Broome after leaving Port Hedland where we wanted to see the iron-ore ships being loaded - which we did. After turning off the main highway we had to travel 9 kms on some more corrugated, red road where we reached yet another oasis - 80 Mile beach.
We were going to use it as a one night stop over but were, once again, in AWE of yet another beautiful sight - so stayed for 3 nights. There was miles and miles of white sandy beach, littered with all sorts of beautiful shells from mother of pearl to brightly coloured cowies. I could not resist doing the granny thing collecting shells that I know Eva, Eloise and Ali will treasure. Not sure what Australia Post may think when I post them all. (I posted a whole container of dead butterflies that I collected at Coral Bay which I knew Eloise would love. I didn't manage to post a live dolphin to Eva and Ali which I know they love, though found some good plastic ones!)
When the tide was in the waves almost covered the beach. Fishermen then littered the beach. I loved watching couples pull in fish after fish on their sometimes very precarious lines. When the tide went back out almost a km or 2 of beach became visible. It was absolutely amazing walking "into" the ocean. As for the sunsets, again no words can do justice to the beauty.
It was lucky that we were able to use as much water as we wanted here - artesian wells underground. Chris spent a good while cleaning the car, caravan and our outside mat getting rid of all the red dirt from Karijini.
The N-W coast of W A must truly be one of the world's best kept secrets.