Photo: Nicole McLachlan / CC BY-SA 4.0
Stretching an astonishing 80 miles (130 km) along Western Australia's remote Pilbara coast, Eighty Mile Beach Marine Park is a wild, untamed sanctuary of turquoise waters, pristine white sands, and extraordinary marine life. This vast, undeveloped shoreline feels like the edge of the world, where the only sounds are the crash of waves and the call of seabirds. It's a paradise for beachcombers, birdwatchers, and anyone seeking solitude in one of Australia's most spectacular coastal wildernesses.
Highlights & What to See
- Endless Beachcombing: Walk for miles along the powdery white sand, collecting colourful shells and watching for sea turtles that nest here between November and March.
- World-Class Fishing: Cast a line from the beach for threadfin salmon, golden snapper, and giant trevally – the park is renowned for its surf fishing.
- Birdwatching Bonanza: Spot migratory waders, pelicans, ospreys, and the rare eastern curlew; the park is a vital stopover on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.
- Turtle Nesting Season: From November to March, flatback and green turtles haul ashore to lay eggs – a magical sight if you visit at dawn or dusk.
- Stargazing: With zero light pollution, the night sky here is a dazzling canopy of stars – bring a blanket and lie back.
Suggested Time to Spend
Give yourself at least a full day to truly absorb the park's scale and serenity. Most travellers combine it with a stopover on the drive between Broome and Port Hedland – arrive early to enjoy the morning light and low tide, then stay for sunset. If you're camping, two nights allow for a full day of beach walking, fishing, and wildlife watching. The park is best visited between April and October, when the weather is dry and temperatures are milder.
Nearby Areas Worth Combining
- Broome: 250 km north – iconic Cable Beach, pearl history, and the staircase to the moon.
- Port Hedland: 180 km south – industrial port with interesting heritage and enormous iron-ore ships.
- Karijini National Park: Inland – spectacular gorges, waterfalls, and swimming holes, about a 4-hour drive.
- Roebuck Bay: Near Broome – another incredible birdwatching and dinosaur footprint site.
- Dampier Peninsula: North of Broome – remote Aboriginal communities, pearl farms, and the Horizontal Falls.
Please check official sources for current details.
Note: opening hours, prices and booking requirements change often — please check official sources for current details.
Explore more
Image credits
- Broome — Kat Clay from Sydney, Australia / CC BY 2.0
- Port Hedland — Chris Olszewski / CC BY-SA 4.0
- Karijini National Park — Graeme Churchard from Bristol (51.4414, -2.5242), UK / CC BY 2.0
- Roebuck Bay — Adam.J.W.C. / CC BY 3.0
- Dampier Peninsula — Brucepython ( talk ) ( Uploads ) / CC BY 2.5
- Ninety Mile Beach — Public domain