Karratha - Port Hedland - 80 Mile Beach  -   Hot, sunny, blue skies   High 40C  Distance - 477km

Another early start as we wanted to call into Port Hedland on the way to 80 Mile Beach.  Port Hedland is another mining port, predominately focused on BHP Billiton - their utes are running around everywhere. Once again iron ore and salt are the main exports.

Changing landscape

 

 

Dry river bed - this area changes to
a raging torrent in the wet season - Dec to March

Road Train  

Train delivering iron ore to the port
- couldn't see the end to this exceptionally long train even from the bridge

Port Hedland

Terry waiting at the end of the viewing platform
(you could see through the decking to the sea)



A Japanese ship being loaded

A very narrow entrance into the harbour
for the big ships to negotiate
(many ships waiting outside to come into port)

Terry viewing the port from the park



A bit of History

Port Hedland CBD

Unusual Pink Metal Shading over the walkway

BHP Billiton - Port Hedland

Iron animals outside BHP

Salt waiting to be loaded

After lunch at Port Hedland, we hit the road again heading for 80 Mile Beach which is not listed on the sat nav as it is on private property.  If we were going straight to Broome, the instructions are as below............................   (follow the road for 563km and turn left onto the Broome Hwy)

Rocky hills eveywhere

Break to get more cold water from the fridge

The turning off the highway to 80 Mile Beach
(9km of dirt road)

The entrance to 80 Mile Beach Caravan Park

80 Mile Beach is part of a cattle station called Wallal Downs, The owner set up the caravan park as so many people wanted to visit this beautiful, pristine, white beach.  We met a couple at a roadhouse who were going to stay there for 6 months to escape the winter in Perth!  Many grey nomads do this every year - in Qld also. The nearest town is Broome - 377km away!!!  Apart from one roadhouse on the highway about 45km north there is nothing else nearby.

80 Mile Beach Caravan Park

80 Mile Beach Caravan Park

The best caravan park we have ever stayed in - right on the beach -spacious and lots of green grass.  The centre of the park has a large green area which is used in the season for a market.  Caravaners & campers can buy & sell items and there are other services such as a hairdresser (goodness knows where they come from)!!!!

80 Mile Beach - fantastic (looking south)

 

The beach is beautiful and covered with fantastic shells.  You can drive onto the beach and head north or south for miles.  The water is clear and warm and the sunsets are stunning!

Wild flowerss

North view as the sun goes down

Terry enjoying the sunset

Sunset on 80 Mile Beach