80 Mile Beach

Broome to Port Headland, about 600km’s of nothingness. Well, there is 80 Mile Beach and a couple of other little places… So we roll into 80 Mile Beach early Monday arvo, roughly about half way between those two towns – ie. in the middle of nowhere. We walk over the final beach dune, and a lovely deserted beach greets us, which we have to ourselves to enjoy… Oh sorry, hang-on, got that bit wrong. What greets us, in the middle of nowhere, is this wall of fishermen….

the hordes

looking left

further down to the left

Yes, it turns out that the caravan park at 80 Mile Beach is quite large, and seems to exist purely for people who love to throw a line in the water! Or collect shells! The park itself is quite nice so we decided to stay the night (though it was pretty pricey) and have a go from the shoreline ourselves.

After setting up camp and having a little rest, we set-up our two rods and head out to the beach. However the tide is receding, and most have left and the few remaining soon pack up and go too. Great timing…. Anyway we fish till dusk, unsuccessfully, though another bloke who turned up soon after us kept on catching stuff…. Seems pilchards were better than the bait (squid I think) we had left over from what one of the old fella’s at Quondong Point had given us.

Tues morning we awake to find the sea had disappeared! Don’t panic, I think it was just a low tide though…. In the pic below it may just be possible to see the some white waves in the distance (it’s not just the shiny wet sand). About 400-500 metres away I reckon!

someone pulled the plug...

someone pulled the plug…

This is also when I realise that the beach has been named incorrectly. Its correct name is Rice Bubble Beach!! That snap crackle pop sound and feeling occurs underfoot wherever you walk, thanks to a billion sea shells both on the surface and underneath.

We look around and collect quite a few shells. Given that fishing at any time other than high tide is prohibited here (social pressure…), we decide to hang around till midday and have another go (bought some bait from the caravan park shop too!). Sure enough the masses head out onto the beach again, to create the highest population density within a 200km radius.

Fortunately we were there early enough to claim a spot and not miss out. Here are the two princes, who get to hold the rods, whilst I run around re-baiting hooks and casting the Alvey reel (also known as the ‘tangle reel’) for them….

George, you’ll be very pleased to hear that we actually caught two fish! Jonathan happened to be holding the rods at the time, so got to wind them in! Blue Salmon (or Blue Threadfin). The bloke next to us was pretty helpful, telling us what they were, and giving us another similar couple as he caught them (he’d already thrown back one or two similar ones – had heaps in the fridge so was only interested in real big things). I think we did alright – seemed to be quite a few who didn’t catch anything. However this fishing business is a lot of effort, and standing around, for a couple of fish…

Here we go, about to be wrapped and cooked! I did all the gutting etc at the beach, but Nicole was not impressed about having to even touch the things!

We had one each for dinner, and I must say they were absolutely delicious, and we all agreed on that! Just a pity it takes most of the day to get one meal (even if a very nice one)! Finished it off with a hot chocolate, and a blog post (this one!).

I write this camped the night about 80km’s out of Port Headland, ready to march further south tomorrow (Wed) into the land of iron ore and mining giants.

6 thoughts on “80 Mile Beach

  1. Mate that is awesome well done…
    I guess it depends what bait and times to fish and that goes for everywhere…
    You still have many more places to visit so don’t give up as you said it taste absolutely delicious and over fire even better…
    Anyway take care talk soon…

  2. So proud of my great nephews catching fish! Nice salmon to boot 🙂 We too stayed at the 80 mile beach camping grounds – after a long day driving it was the only option and yes, they are there in their masses! We walked about a km out to touch the water at low tide. Enjoy the Pilbara – such an awesome place 🙂 Are you going into Karinjini np?

  3. Forgot to mention in previous reply – next time you get some fish light a fire and cook them in alfoil in the coals. Yummo!

  4. Hmmm, the engineer in me is confused – how does the heat source (stove vs fire) affect the fish flavour if it is wrapped up (ie sealed) in aluminium foil? If cooked unwrapped sure, but that would be difficult to do!

    Yes, planning to visit Karijini NP – been told by a couple people it is beautiful. If we head in south, and out back to the coast by heading west, we miss a bit of the coastline – Roeburne, Karratha, Dampier. Are we missing anything worth seeing there?

  5. Nothing more delicious than freshly caught fish cooked on the hot coals. When we were kids am sure we just threw them on the coals no alfoil. Potatoes cooked in foil in under the coals are great too. So glad you are having a great time. We are looking at tents with a view to getting out of the city to explore around this part of the country. Love to all xxxx

  6. We are back from Hawaii and what a beautiful land that is. So different to where you all are. You did well with your fishing. Of course the boys grand father Our Kim was also a great fisherman whenever he got the chance. Keep having fun and lots of love

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