Port Hedland Pilbara
Port Hedland is another massive port on the Western Australian coast exporting the Pilbara's extensive iron ore deposits. So huge is the operation that 2.6 kilometre long trains haul their loads into shipping yards nine times a day! The town itself has long been relied upon, providing services for cattle grazers in the 1860's, a pearl lugging fleet in the 1870's, and the influx of fortune seekers in the gold rush of the 1880's.
Apart from tours of the overwhelming industries and the dusty pink pigeons in the area, Port Hedland's main attraction is Pretty Pool, a popular picnicking, swimming and shell fossicking spot. Just north of the tidal pool, Cooke Point presents the best place to view Port Hedland's version of "Stairway to the Moon" (see Broome in the Kimberley). Cookes Point is also one of several beaches on the surrounding coast where flatback turtles return to nest between October and March.
Fifteen kilometres south of Port Hedland, South Headland is the modern residential centre.
Gold Mining Travelling along the Great Northern Highway towards Broome, a secondary road (two thirds paved one third gravel) branches inland, and heads towards the friendly outback town of Marble Bar. One of the hottest places in Australia, Marble Bar has recorded periods of up to 160 days, where the temperature has consistently reached over forty degrees! This town takes it's name from an large bar of striking red jasper which traverses the nearby Coongan River. The landscape in the surrounding countryside is also impressive, especially after the late winter rains, when the bland spinifex covered ranges and hills are transformed into colourful collage of blooming wildflowers. In town, all well trodden paths lead to the legendary Ironclad Hotel, the local and districts convergence point. Just down the road, the still working Comet Gold Mine is also well worth a look.
Port Hedland is the main port for the Pilbara iron ore. Much of the accommodation and restaurants in Port Hedland are situated at the far western end, near Laurentius Point, with Sutherland Street leading along the foreshore and Cemetery Beach to Cooke Point at the eastern end.
There are plenty of things to do in and around Port Hedland. A great way to see the whole town is from the lookout at the top of the Observation Tower, which offers fantastic views. Another good lookout is situated to the east of the town at Pretty Pool, a small tidal pool from where you can look out at the 'Stairway to the Moon'. At night you should head to Richardson Street from where you can see the lit up BHP plant on Finucane Island.
If you would like to find out more about the iron ore industry, then join one of the BHP Iron Ore and Port Tours which give lots of information. You should also visit the Aboriginal Petroglyphs at Two Mile Ridge (although you will need the key from the Department of Aboriginal Affairs on Wilson Street).
Port Hedland is also home to Flatback Turtles and Humpback Whales. The turtles can be seen on Cemetery Beach, Cooke Point, Munda Beach and Pretty Pool from October - March. There are also trips out to see the whales during their migration along the coast.
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