Mon, 1st August, 2022 Goldwire Rest Area, Great Northern Highway, south of Broome to Barn Hill Station Stay, south of Broome, WA

A cool 14 degrees again. A line of mackerel clouds coming over.

Packed up then chatted some more over a cuppa before saying farewell to Kerry and Brian.

Drove back up the highway 25km to the turn off into Barn Hill Station which has a campground area on the coast. It is a favourite with a lot of people and friends we met worked there for a while so we wanted to check it out.

Long straight wide red dirt/sand road into the station homestead. I had to open two gates then the last one as we entered the main station area. Past Barn Hill which has a rock cairn at the top.

Around past the homestead area to a roundabout to park and check in. There is a huge tree-covered powered section then the unpowered section runs along the edge of a cliff which looks out to the sea but there is a wide area of eroded area first. They have a bowling green here and shields on the walls for the competitions. A nice playground area and kiosk which provides pizzas (if you order by 4pm).

The lady showed us where we could park in the ‘overflow’ unpowered section which is basically just behind the ‘booked’ unpowered sites so not far to walk to the beach etc. We booked in for two nights. We chose a spot and set up then had lunch. We can even see the ocean from here. It was better till those travellers moved into their spot on the ‘booked’ unpowered sites.

Walked back to the reception area where more travellers were pulling in to check in. Continued on through the green grass area where there was a band playing on Saturday night. Looking across the ‘eroded’ area below the ‘booked’ unpowered sites. The track is for vehicles to take boats down to the beach to launch them.

There are a few sites along here that have a shade shelter with shower that can be booked. Then there is another huge overflow area meandering through the low shrubs. The lady didn’t mention we could park here but where we are is fine.

Stairs lead down to the beach. Great view from up here. Zoomed in on the cliff further south.

The tide is starting to head out so we wandered along passed the boat access area and around the point to the north. Lots of long beaches to walk on. There is another track to get down to the beach from the north end of the campground.

Found a crab who was waiting for the water to come over him so he could dig down so he was happy to pose for some photos.

The red banks are lovely against the white sand. Its amazing that the sand isn’t red too and the sea is flat which is great for a swim.

Found a spot where the waves weren’t ‘dumping’ too badly and went in for a dip - bit chilly. Steve joined me then I got out and got a photo of him to prove he made it in the water then I decided to get one from in the water.

Walked along further and spotted some blubber jellies - glad I saw them after my swim or I might have piked out!

Reached a section of sandstone slabs. Lovely escarpment further south.

Climbed back up the steps - I have red toenails!

Went back to the camper for a cuppa. The mackerel clouds have come across.

Found a track from the north end of the unpowered area and walked down to the beach.

Lots of ironstone ‘bowls’ lying around.

Wandered along checking out out the different rock formations.

Plenty of room to have your own space on the beach here.

This section is called the ‘Lost City’ I think - it certainly looks like it. Walked around to the back of it. So many beautiful patterns created by Nature. Found a couple of the ironstone pods in the sandstone.

Wandered back along the water’s edge - so calm and clear that I can see the ‘blubbers’ and avoid them.

I can see how people get hooked into photography with so many interesting things to photograph.

Walked around towards the point. Looking back along the beach.

Found some more ironstone nodes and noticed there is a stone trapped inside.

Found a lovely ‘pool’ - might have a dip in it tomorrow as I forgot to put my togs back on. Crystal clear with little fish darting around in the weed under the rock edges.

Continued around the point. Lots of little waterfalls as the high tide water flows off the rocks as the tide goes out.

Back to the main beach where the kids are enjoying the tide being out. Up the steps again.

As we walked back we noticed a big fire burning in the distance - burning spinifex I reckon as the smoke is very black.

Took our drinks and headed down to the staircase to watch the sun set. The mackerel clouds have come over but the horizon is free of cloud. As the sun headed down the sun’s rays glistened over the low tide water and made a magical ‘golden road to the sun’ which is great as we have missed the ‘staircase to the moon’ so far (next one is 12 to 14 Aug).

After the sun set the beauty continued.

There were heaps of people enjoying the view and we chatted with two couples near us - one from Townsville and the other from Mackay - fancy that.

Back to the camper for dinner and a movie. All quiet here.