PORT HEDLAND - WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Named after Captain Peter Hedland, who reached the harbour in 1863, Port Hedland's rapid growth emanated from the discovery and mining of Iron ore in the region since the 1960s. The harbour today handles the largest export tonnage in Australia from some of the worlds largest mines, including Mt Newman to the south. Also south of Port Hedland is Marble Bar where at one time the hottest temperature in the country was recorded. Massive trains operated by BHP of up to 2.6km long (1.5 miles) arrive at the port 7 times daily. There are also some 2 million tonnes of salt exported from Port Hedland annually. Semi-tropical, warm and with swimming at Cooke Point it is a typical example of Australia's northern coast. PLACES OF INTEREST: Observation tower at the Tourist Information centre Aboriginal Carvings in limestone (open Mon.-Fri.) Old Cemetery with Japanese pearl divers section. Lions Park Royal Flying Doctor Base Solar Salt Ponds Don Rhodes Mining Museum Port tours, fishing, swimming, boating ACCOMMODATION & SERVICES: USE ACCOMMODATION SEARCH INFORMATION CENTRE: Port Hedland Tourist Information Centre 13 Wedge St. Port Hedland. W.A. 6721 Ph: 08 9173 1711 HOW TO GET THERE: By car along the North West Coastal Hwy. and great Northern Hwys Domestic airport with flights from Perth, Katherine and Darwin. Coach.

© Copyright Peter W. Wilkins 2008