Port Hedland Western Australia
A thriving centre for the Pilbara area, fueled by the millions of dollars poured into the local mining industry. A unique blend of massively resourced industry and incredible natural wonders await the visitor. See huge mountains of salt ready for shipment at port.
At a Glance
The hinterland is littered with beautiful attractions and beaches while the city functions as a great base to explore the North West.
The best way to book Port Hedland
Where is Port Hedland?
Port Hedland is 1600 kilometres north of Perth.
Port Hedland is a coastal city situated in the Pilbara area of Australia's North West tourist region. Port Hedland faces north to the Timor Sea and is one of Western Australia's major deepwater ports and is the largest city in the region. Karijini National Park is south of the city. One of the best ways to get to Port Hedland is hiring a car from Perth Airport, or flying to Port Hedland Airport.
Things to see in Port Hedland
Karijini National Park
South of Port Hedland are beautiful and deep gorges. Journey to Fern's Pool in Dales Gorge, filled with emerald coloured water and fed by a tyrant of waterfalls. Climb to the top of Mount Bruce, where you can get a birds eye view of the rugged and mysterious landscape that surrounds you.
Image © Tash Press
Eighty Mile Beach
Over 80 miles of pure white, undisturbed beach sand lapped by the turquiose blue waters of the Indian Ocean. Washed clean by 10 metre tides every day, a walk along the beach in the morning will reveal some of the most colourful and interesting shells you will see, covering the sand.
Image © Tourism Western Australia
Whale Watching
Between June and October, the waters off port Hedland are inhabited by Humpback Whales from July to October as they migrate to the warmer waters to breed. Their mating rituals involving breaching and tail slapping make the whales an exciting attraction to observe.
Image © Tourism Western Australia
BHP Iron Ore Plant
See at close hand the enormous machinery and modern technology required to run this industrial giant. You will hear some of the incredible statistics of Australia's longest private railway and learn of BHP's newest project, the hot briquetted iron plant recently commencing production.
What's the weather like?
With a Tropical climate, Port Hedland has often humid, wet weather conditions in the wet season. Rainfall is plentiful during Summer and scarce in Winter, although temperatures are warm all year round. In Summer (December to February), the average maximum temperature is 36°C with an average minimum temperature of 25°C. In Winter (June to August), the average maximum temperature is 27°C with an average minimum temperature of 13°C.
Tropical Cyclones are a prevalent part of this region between December and April. It is essential that you understand the steps and the procedures in place for Tropical Cyclones when entering this beautiful part of the world.
Get to know Port Hedland's history
Founded in 1896 and named after Captain Peter Hedland who explored the area in 1863, the town served major pasttoral interests in the area. In 1891, exports from Nullagine and Marble Bar goldfields became too much for the existing port to handle and so a jetty and 8km causeway over the marshes into the town were completed by 1899.
First shipments of gold bullion were exported in 1899 and the town rapidly emerged as the Pilbara's major port. Railway arrived in 1911 and during the next 50 years the regions iron-ore depositis were mined and based out of Port Hedland.