The Pilbara is known for its wide, open spaces, rugged desert, and outdoorsy lifestyle. It’s perfect for those seeking adventure. But sometimes, you only have a few days to explore the red desert landscape.
If time is short, there’s still plenty that you can do. Why not try a day trip instead?
Just under three hours away, 80 Mile Beach is the perfect place to take a day trip from Port Hedland.
Discover 80 Mile Beach
80 Mile Beach is a gorgeous 220km stretch of coastline located approximately halfway between Port Hedland and Broome. Known as Australia’s longest uninterrupted beach, it feels like it goes on forever.
Its stunning white sand and sparkling turquoise water make it a popular place for locals and travellers to spend the day.
When you arrive, the beach is bordered by a wide fringe of lush green grass, and camping and caravan spaces are available for hire. So, if you’re considering spending more than a day, you can.
But it’s still an idyllic spot if you’ve only got a day. The most popular time to visit is between May and September. The wet season is finishing, the days are getting dryer, and you can take advantage of the beautiful, temperate winters, which still get into the low 30s during the day.
Be aware that no dogs are allowed on the beach, so leave your pups home.
So, let’s look at what to do on your day trip from Port Hedland to 80 Mile Beach.
What to do at 80 Mile Beach
There’s plenty to do when you travel from Port Hedland to 80 Mile Beach.
4WDing
With its bright white sand and striking blue water, 80 Mile Beach is an unforgettable 4WDing spot. You can drive your vehicle from the access track down onto the sand, and from there, you can go to the beach if you’re north or south.
It’s a reasonably easy drive, as it’s a beach and not remarkably hilly, but the sheer joy of driving on such a beautiful natural beach is incomparable.
Watch out for the flocks of shorebirds and local turtles during their nesting and hatching seasons.
Fishing
The most popular activity at 80 Mile Beach is fishing. It’s the perfect spot to cast out a line and fish off the beach, and barramundi, threadfin salmon, and bluenose salmon crowd the waters.
And it’s not just a stretch of sand; you’ll find mudflats and mangrove forests, too, making it the ideal habitat for crabs, with plenty of resident mud crabs in the sand.
Enjoy the beach — just no swimming
It may seem surprising, but swimming isn’t recommended at 80 Mile Beach. Technically, you can — but sharks are regular locals in the area, and you can often see them just metres offshore.
There are also sea snakes and sometimes crocodiles, and its strong currents can make the waters treacherous for even the most experienced swimmer.
With the nearest hospital back at Port Hedland, it’s best to follow the standard advice and stay close to the shore.
However, you can still enjoy the beach and the shallower waters. And when the tide goes out, it uncovers the sand flats for hundreds of metres, providing the opportunity for stunning sunset photos, with the light reflecting off the wet sand. Low Tide also uncovers a treasure trove of shells to look at and collect.
Bird watching
80 Mile Beach is located in a marine park and is a prime habitat and feeding ground for migratory wading birds. The sand and sea provide a rich food source, and an estimated half a million shorebirds flock to 80 Mile Beach each year.
Ninety-seven species have been recorded, providing a kaleidoscope of beaks and colours to spot.
Hiking
With over 200km of uninterrupted coastline, there’s lots of space to explore, and you can do some beautiful walks to see more of the beach.
One of the most popular trails is the 80 Mile Beach Walk, a moderate 5km walk along the edge of the sand. If you prefer something more challenging, the 9km option takes you further along the beach, providing a refreshing two-hour walk.
Getting from Port Hedland to 80 Mile Beach
Getting from Eighty Mile Beach to Port Hedland is easy if you have a reliable 4WD.
It’s a 2-hour 40-minute drive away each way. So, when planning a day trip, give yourself enough time on either side to make sure it’s a relaxing day.
Follow the Great Northern Highway until you see the well-signposted turn-off — you can’t miss it. After the turn-off, a 10km red dirt road leads you to the beach.
While we love spending time at 80 Mile Beach, we’re not experts. So, if you have any questions about the beach or want to know anything we haven’t covered here, phone 9195 5500 or email the Broome Parks and Wildlife Office.
Where to stay when you’re in Port Hedland
When planning a day trip from Port Hedland to 80 Mile Beach, ensure you’ve got relaxing accommodation to return to. The Hedland Hotel has a range of comfortable rooms available, with all the amenities you need to make it feel like home.
Contact us to book a room and start planning your Port Hedland adventure.
