Day 31 Port Headland to Wallal Downs Station ( Eighty Mile Beach Caravan Park)

 Left Port Headland this morning for a 300 k trip to Eighty Mile Beach Caravan park. This park is part of Wallal Downs Station and sits just at the back of the dunes of the beach. Its about half way to Broome and is a popular spot to stop on the way . Like a lot of roads in the Pilbara area its a lot of long straight stretches but at least the country looks good . Its been surprising how few animals we have seen compared with the eastern states . No roo's or emus and very little road kill. 

Free camping has not really been an option in this area as many of the the camps are out on the highway and not terribly appealing as there is little access to get out to the beach.

The caravan park is 9km off the highway and of course is the lovely red dust that we know and love. The road is in great shape as it looks like it has just been graded. I think they are gearing up for the main tourist season with lots of preparation going on. It is only now we are starting to see a few interstate travelers and I'm sure as we continue to head north and into NT we will see more and more.  

The park is very big and has at least 100 powered sites but a lot of unpowered as well. All have water . You can't book ahead so you just have to turn up. There are no dogs allowed as the story goes that the owners dog got savaged by an unleashed one so that will have stopped quite a few people. The other thing is that you swim at your own risk as you have to think about the big S's - stingers, sharks , sea snakes and salt water crocs . Don't see anybody in the water!!

The main attraction here is that you can drive on the beach and the fishing is good, Russ has been doing a bit and happily giving away his bait but did catch a little Taylor yesterday. I have been adding to my shell collection as there are millions of shells on this stretch of beach . As you walk around the caravan park you see people have made wind chimes out of them. 

In the evening, there are viewing platforms set up where you can watch the sunset over the ocean so very popular. We enjoyed some sparkling shiraz and cheese yesterday and chatted to others about their travel plans. 

Russ has also been working on movies so that page should be up soon, Off to Broome on Thursday morning for a week and then onto the Gibb.

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