Port Hedland Tourist InformationPilbara and Port Hedland Tourist Information
Coming Events
Port Hedland BeachesPort Hedland has a number of beaches that are perfect for a quiet walk, for the kids to play on the sandstone formations, a bit of bird watching or even turtle viewing in season.
Port Hedland ToursBHP Billiton Iron
BHP Billiton Iron Ore is one of the world’s leading iron ore producers with operations in Australia and Brazil. Their principal iron ore operations are based in the Pilbara region of northern Western Australia. Iron ore is a major component in many modern office towers, including iconic structures around the world. It is also used extensively in motor vehicles, washing machines, refrigerators, ovens and other whitegoods. Industry Port HedlandShipping and Port Hedland
The port area, where bulk carrier vessels of up to 260,000 tonnes and over 230 metres in length glide through a narrow harbour entrance adjacent to the main street. The Port Interpretive Walk running along the Esplanade offers information about the port's history and the resource companies that utilise the facility. The best views of industry in motion in the harbour can be found at Marrapikurinya Park on the waters' edge in the historic West End. Redbank Bridge is the perfect lookout point for BHP Billiton's trains, some of the longest in the world moving alone the 426km-long railway, which transport iron ore from Mount Whaleback in Newman to the port. The trains can reach up to 3km long. This spot also offers spectacular views of Dampier Salt's towering stockpile which is best viewed at sunset. Port Hedland Local History and Town Tour The newest tour on the block, and one that caters to Port Hedland locals and visitors alike, is the Port Hedland Local History and Town Tour. The tour is guided by a local historian and visits monuments like the World War II Rifle Range, where spent .303 slugs can still be found, the Aboriginal/Afghan WatSS Koombana Port Hedland jetty 1909er Source used by Afghan camel operators in the 1920’s and the 1946 Strike Sculpture which commemorates the protests by Pilbara Aboriginal pastoral workers in the 1940’s for better wages and working conditions. Peel back the layers of history to find a town more unexpected and interesting at every turn. This 45minute guided bus tour through Port Hedland’s rich local history will be available on Mondays and Fridays at 1PM. The tour costs $35 per person and departs from the Port Hedland Visitor Centre, 13 Wedge Street, Port Hedland. For bookings contact Port Hedland Visitor Centre at info@visitporthedland.com Tracing the local cultural heritage and history of this most unusual town, the bus tour will follow the footsteps of the first European settlers by visiting the town’s heritage sites. Led by local historian and life-long resident Julie Hunt, this tour offers the opportunity to learn the human face to a town far-more diverse than it may first appear; from the commemorative lookout honouring the sinking of the SS Koombana more than one hundred years ago to the multi-cultural heritage and Indigenous links to the community both historic and today. Eighty Mile BeachPort Hedland marks the southwestern terminus of Eighty Mile Beach. This beach stretches some 80 miles along the West Australian coast up towards Broome; its brilliant aqua and azure waters meet stark white beaches.
From either direction, the beach seems to go on forever. Port Hedland makes a great stopover point or base for exploring the National Parks and other attractions of the Pilbara. Staircase to the MoonThe Staircase to the Moon is a natural phenomenon that occurs only in the North West of Australia between March and October. During the full moon this region experiences such dramatic tidal changes throughout the day that enable the pockets of water caught in the sand ripples to reflect the natural rising colour of the moon. Viewed at full moon on a still evening this light creates what looks like a golden staircase leading to the moon.
The times for the rising moon are in the local telephone book, they are also displayed monthly at the Port Hedland Visitors Centre. The best vantage spot is next to the Cooke Point Caravan Park (Goode Street) in Port Hedland. There is a viewing deck set up especially for this natural occurrence. Note: A super full moon occurs when the moon's closest to the Earth, during this time the moon may seem bigger and brighter. |
Useful LinksHere are a few handy links to help you enjoy your time in Port Hedland.
The Town of Port Hedland - Link to the local government site, with lots of great information about the local area. The Port Hedland Visitors Centre - Plenty of great tips on getting around and seeing the Town! Warlu Way - Follows the path of the Warlu, or Dreamtime sea serpent, as it traverses North West Australia and the Pilbara and Kimberley regions of Western Australia. Great site with heaps of ideas for touring the North West. Caravanning, Camping & Motorhoming in Western Australia - Lots of great info about Caravanning and Camping your way around WA. Australia's North West - The Port Tourist Park are proud members of Australia's North West, and proud to promote tourism in the Pilbara. Visit their website for access to the best of the best of Northern Australia. Port Hedland WildlifePort Hedland's uniquely beautiful beaches and mangroves are home to an abundance of fish and other wildlife. Off the coast of Port Hedland you can see whales, bottlenose dolphins and sharks.
Flatback turtles in Port Hedland, WAFlatback sea turtles nest only on Australian beaches and they have the shortest migratory range of all sea turtles.
From October to March Hedland's beaches become home to hundreds of Flatback Turtles (Natator depressus) as they nest and their younglings hatch. You can view the turtles or sign up to monitor their movements through the Care for Hedland Environmental Association. Flatback sea turtles nest only on Australian beaches and they have the shortest migratory range of all sea turtles. Care for Hedland's Turtle program provides much needed monitoring, awareness and conservation for these local threatened species. This program is a part of a wider turtle monitoring project encompassing nesting rookeries from Shark Bay in the south, up to the Kimberly. Guided evening tours operate for anyone to watch the turtles nesting whilst following the turtle watchers code of conduct. Nesting season is from October to January. Hatchling season is in December to March. Contact Care for Hedland to find out more. Native WildflowersDuring the winter months in Port Hedland you will be able to find a multitude of native wildflowers. You could make an adventure of wildflower viewing by following the Pilbara Wildflowers Trail by road through the region. July to September is the time to experience this beautiful natural occurrence unique to the Pilbara. Look in the right places and you will find the unmistakable Sturt's desert pea, Mulla mulla and the tall majestic Ashburton pea as well as up to 65 species of the Acacia (wattle).
Millstream Chichester National ParkMillstream Chichester National Park is an oasis in the desert, nestled within the chocolate brown rocks of the Chichester Range, dotted with spinifex and snappy gums. Permanent pools are fed by springs that draw water from the underground aquifer within porous dolomite rock. The Millstream area has been a sacred land since well before the arrival of Europeans to the area, and the Yinjibarndi people still gather here as the traditional custodians of their country, which stretches from the Hamersley Range foothills and Fortescue Valley in the south to the Chichester Range escarpment in the north.
Visit the Millstream Chichester National Park website Karijini National ParkExplore the wild, rugged beauty of Karijini National Park, with its spectacular natural gorges, waterfalls and pools perfect for hiking and walking. To the south is the enchanting Millstream Chichester National Park, bounded by the spinifex lined Chichester Ranges with the Fortescue River coursing through creating natural water flows and freshwater pools perfect for swimming.
Visit the Karijini National Park website Bird Watching in Port HedlandThere are over 373 species of birds to be seen in Port Hedland and the Pilbara region. Here are some useful links.
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Cyclone Season - Alert Stages
There are four stages of alerts- blue, yellow, red and all clear. Listen carefuly and do what the alerts say to help keep safe.
Cyclone Information packs can be obtained from the Council Offices, Visitors Centre, DFES District Office & SES unit. |
Where to find cyclone information:
ABC Radio and other local media DFES Public Information line 1300 657 209 DFES website www.dfes.wa.gov.au BoM Cyclone Warning Advice Line 1300 659 210 Weather and cyclone forecasts www.bom.gov.au Road conditions (Main Roads) 138 138 |
Blue Alert- A Cyclone is Forecast
- Get Ready When a Blue Alert has been issued, you need to start preparing. Make sure you have a copy of your community Cyclone Plan. Tidy and remove loose building material and rubbish around your home. Make sure you have a battery operated radio, torch and extra batteries. Keep listening to your portable radio and watching TV for cyclone updates. Have enough food for your family, water and your medicine box and first aid kits. Know the strongest part of your house.Start thinking about when to send people on dialysis, pregnant women, elderly and other sick people to a larger town. Identify a team of people in the community to assess any damage to the community after the cyclone. |
Yellow Alert - A Cyclone is Coming
- Act Now When a Yellow Alert has been issued, you need to take action. Tie down large items around your house and community. Fuel your vehicle. Make sure your pets are safe. Get your family together to sit out the cyclone. Make sure you have cash to last you a few days. Keep listening to your portable radio and watching TV for cyclone updates. |
Red Alert- A Cyclone is About to Strike
- Shelter Now When a Red Alert has been issued, you need to take shelter immediately. Stay inside in the strongest park of your home during the cyclone. Keep a battery operated torch and a portable radio if your power is out. Keep listening to your portable radio and watching TV for cyclone updates. |
All Clear- Authorities Give the All Clear
- Be Careful After the official All Clear notice, take care to avoid dangers caused by damage. Stay inside your home until you get advice from DFES or Police that is clear to go outside. Wear proper shoes and safety gear. Check on your family and neighbours. Report damage, injuries and dangerous situations to the Police or DFES. |