BHP iron ore train

Port Hedland WA 6721 (Pop 15 000)
Pic: by Nachoman-au

Port Hedland is a Pilbara industrial port city located 1 637 km north of Perth via the Great Northern Hwy. It is the highest iron-ore tonnage port in Australia with natural gas, salt and livestock also proving vital to the local economy. Original inhabited by the Kariyarra and Nyamal Aborigines, it was named after early explorer, Cpt Peter Hedland in 1860s.  Away from its industrial sector, the area offers excellent fishing, whale watching, mangrove crabbing and bird watching. South Hedland (18 km inland) is a satellite town housing the majority of the area’s residents. Australia Day Port Festival (Jan), Welcome to Hedland Night (May, Game Fishing Classic (July, Port Hedland Cup (Aug), Pilbara Music Festival (Sept), Hedland Octoberfest (Oct).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Don Rhodes Mining Museum, Wilson St open-air mining and historic railway museum. Port Hedland Trails include Old Port Hedland Trail (2.3 km) of historic Port Hedland, Port Trail (1.8 km) harbour jetties, wharves and warehouses and Sutherland Trail (9 km) old townsite. Pioneer & Pearlers Cemetery, off Stevens St interesting historic graves. Town observation tower, Wedge St excellent harbour, town and coastal vistas.

Nearby:
Royal Flying Doctor (15 km south) WA’s first base was established here in 1935. Open for inspections (8am-11am) Mon-Fri.  Port Hedland Out and About Trail (85 km) covers a large part of the region including numerous creeks, mangroves, Pretty Pool, South Hedland and Finucane Island. Stairway to the Moon, Goode St when conditions are right (full moon & low tide) an image of a staircase leading to the moon can be seen for about 15 minutes. Cape Keraudren (158 km n-e) and Eighty Mile Beach spectacularly pristine coastline with excellent fishing and watersports.

Accommodation:
Port Hedland has 3 motels, 4 hotels and 4 caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre: 13 Wedge St. Tel (08) 9173 1711.

Airport:
Port Hedland International Airport (PHE), Great Northern Hwy. Tel (08) 9140 1288.

Hospital:
Port Hedland Hospital, Kingsmill St. Tel (08) 9158 1666.