We were up early so we could hopefully make it into the Eighty Mile Beach van park. Being the first week of WA School Holidays, we knew we'd have to be lucky to jag a site. Another van park that doesn't take bookings. Even if we couldn't get a powered site, we would have been happy to take an unpowered one for three nights. So, just after 8 am, we drove out of the Broome CP heading for Eighty Mile Beach (is actually 137 miles long (220 km)). We stopped for mornos at the entrance to Barn Hill Station Stay and were amazed at the number of vans coming out and going in. We had lunch in the van at the Sandfire Roadhouse and CP after refuelling. Again, the number of RVs that came and went from from there was outstanding. We could see by the flow that the majority of holiday makers are heading North.
Not far from the roadhouse was the turn off to Eighty Mile Beach, where there was a sign "NO VACANCY". Oh well, perhaps next time; we convinced ourselves it may not have been very good on the coast anyway, as it was still windy.
Onwards we travelled. we were going to camp at what Wikicamps calls "Afghan Well Camp", however, we found a nice little pull-off on the other side of the road before Afghan and made camp there. Someone kindly left their fire pit here, so we requisitioned it and will have a small fire after dinner whilst watching the stars. The only lights out here will be those from passing vehicles.
We counted 267 RVs of all shapes and sizes today, the vast majority heading North. It's going to be very busy up there for the next couple of weeks.
Sunset itself was nothing to write home about, however, the colours afterwards were amazing.
Stargazing is always good. We didn't end up lighting the fire as we wanted total darkness and no smoke.
Greg heard about this Singaporean guy on Landline who applied to the WA govt for a water licence to tap into the vast underground water reserves in this area. He has transformed marginal grazing country into lush, green pastures for the cattle on his 200 000 hectare cattle station. 18 centre pivots to water 840 ha of pasture and has plans for up to 50 centre pivots. The cattle are pure-bred wagyu beef, or wagyu crossbred products.
Looks like a nuclear explosion, probably just a control burn
Where we are camped
Just before sunset
Sun is going down
Almost gone
From our dining room window as we were having dinner
