Destinations > 80 Mile Beach

Swimming is also popular along the 80-Mile Beach and we saw quite a few people, especially children playing in the clear, unpolluted water of the Indian Ocean. I was a bit more wary however, and decided against a swim after I saw no less than three large sea snakes swimming in the waves close to shore. Sea snakes are said to be among the worlds' most venomous reptiles and quite aggressive to boot! The beach was also littered with bluebottles, which had been washed up in some pretty rough weather. I was not aware of any swimmers being bitten or stung during my three-day stay at the beach but I still stand by my decision to remain a wimp and stay out of the water!

Shell collecting is a daily ritual on the beach at low tide. Unlike many of the beaches in Western Australia, which have now been given national park status, there is no restriction on collecting shells at 80-Mile Beach. The variety of shape, size and colours of the shells found here is really quite amazing, especially first thing in the morning when the beach is pristine clean.

The 80-Mile Beach is also a world-renowned wetland for migratory shore birds. Approximately half a million birds from 20 different species of waders arrive from their breeding grounds in the Arctic Circle, and spend the entire northern winter feeding and resting on the beach and the dunes at 80-Mile Beach. The Bar-tailed Godwit, Red-necked Stint, Eastern Curlew, Great Knot, Greater Sand Plover and the Curlew Sandpiper are just a few of the shorebirds which migrate to Australia. The birds are said to fly at several thousand metres and average about 70km an hour on their continuous 18-day flight via Japan and South East Asia. That's a journey of between 10,000 and 15,000 kilometres and what is even more remarkable, some of these birds are only a few months old.

read on below advertisement



The prime reason for this extraordinary journey is to feed on the rich diversity of marine invertebrates found on the 80-Mile Beach. Some researchers claim that the biodiversity of the coastline here may be the richest in the world. The freshwater lagoons behind the coastal dunes also provide a rich source of food for some of the species of migratory waders. Roebuck Bay, near Broome, also provides a similar habitat for hundreds of thousands of birds.

The Kimberley CALM office has issued a list of ways that visitors to 80-Mile Beach can help protect these migratory wonder birds. The survival of the species depends entirely on their ability to successfully feed, rest and return to the Arctic to continue breeding. It is suggested that visitors don't drive on the beach, especially between October and April when birds are feeding and turtles are nesting. If driving is unavoidable then try not to drive near the base of the dunes where turtles and some seabirds lay their eggs. To avoid disturbing the feeding or roosting waders, be extremely careful at high tide when flocks are resting. Lights or torches will disturb nesting turtles and birds at night and it is extremely important that dogs be kept away from the nesting sites. CALM also asks that visitors avoid polluting the beach with plastic bags, oil, fuel or refuse. It doesn't take much effort to comply with these regulations, just a bit of care and common sense.

next page »

 

« go back