Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Port Hedland, Australia

Port Hedland, an export powerhouse for Australia, situated in Western Australia’s Pilbara region, ranks among the world’s largest and busiest harbors.

The predominant cargo exported from Port Hedland is iron ore, extracted in massive quantities from the nearby ranges.

This mineral is subsequently transported to the harbor using exceptionally long trains that may take several minutes to completely pass.

Salt represents another significant export, harvested through extensive evaporation ponds located in proximity to the town, forming towering stacks resembling white mountains.

Many activities in Port Hedland focus on engaging with the extensive industry; however, the area also boasts rich wildlife. Nearby beaches serve as nesting sites for flatback sea turtles, and intertidal regions attract thousands of shorebirds.

1. Port Hedland Harbour Tour

Several lookouts in Port Hedland allow visitors to observe the harbor’s vast operations.

To gain a deeper understanding, consider visiting the Port Hedland Seafarers Centre located in the town’s West End.

This mission provides a daily launch service for crew members of the large iron ore carriers, transporting them to the center, which features a licensed bar, high-speed Wi-Fi, a private chapel, currency exchange, and recreational areas.

The tour begins with a presentation regarding the mission and its objectives, followed by an excursion into the harbor on a Seafarers Launch Service boat, where crew members are collected along the route.

An informed staff member will offer commentary and respond to any inquiries during the journey.

2. Salt Eco Tour

Salt production in Port Hedland occurs on an extensive scale.

Dampier Salt is the primary company responsible, with 68.4% ownership belonging to the Rio Tinto Group.

The evaporation pond complex spans 78 square kilometers on the outskirts of Port Hedland and is classified as the Port Hedland Saltworks Important Bird Area, which encompasses the ponds, a seawater intake zone, and intertidal mudflats.

This area attracts numerous wading birds, including substantial populations of sharp-tailed sandpipers and red-necked stints from around the world.

From Port Hedland, you can embark on a three-hour bus tour of the complex, where you will observe various bird species, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and fish, while also learning about the Dreamtime stories of the traditional Ngarla owners.

Enjoy a delightful morning or afternoon tea before concluding the tour at the towering salt stacks outside the town, allowing you to interact with raw salt.

3. Fortescue Tour

In addition to offering a boat tour of the harbor, the Port Hedland Seafarers Centre also provides behind-the-scenes access to the Fortescue Metal Group’s port site.

During this tour, you will observe significant quantities of iron ore being moved from large stockpiles by massive stackers, reclaimers, and conveyors.

The journey proceeds along the wharf, showcasing the loading process of immense ships.

The majority of the tour takes place aboard a comfortable coach, with an experienced guide narrating each stage of the intricate loading procedure.

4. Pretty Pool Park

If you seek a tranquil coastal setting in Port Hedland while avoiding industrial sights, Pretty Pool Park is an excellent choice.

This inlet, located on the eastern side of Port Hedland at the mouth of a tidal river, is surrounded by dunes and mangroves.

The variation between high and low tides is striking in the Pilbara, often creating brisk ocean flows through the inlet.

At high tide, the pool reaches its fullest, yet even during low tide, shallow water remains for wading.

It is advisable to wear appropriate footwear as stonefish and snakes are occasionally present.

For local families, Pretty Pool Park serves as a picturesque picnic spot, ideal for beachcombing and for letting children enjoy the waters on hot days.

5. Cemetery Beach Park

Cemetery Beach Park, a favored recreational area in Port Hedland, stretches just under two kilometers along the Indian Ocean coast.

This well-maintained park includes a fenced children’s playground, barbecues, swaying palm trees, public art installations, shelters, toilets, and ample grassy areas.

Though the beach is not ideal for typical seaside activities due to its role as a nesting site for flatback sea turtles from October to March, it offers stunning sunsets, particularly in the evening when the shore faces northwest.

6. Koombana Lookout

The water tower, positioned prominently behind Cemetery Beach, serves as a recognizable landmark for Port Hedland and is illuminated in varying colors at night.

Close to the tower’s base is a lookout that provides views of the iron ore ships awaiting docking offshore, offers a picturesque sunset view, and allows for potential turtle sightings with the aid of binoculars. This lookout is named in honor of the Edwardian-era passenger and cargo ship, SS Koombana, which sank off Port Hedland in 1912, resulting in the loss of 150 lives.

An informative board detailing the disaster is located near the viewing platform.

7. Port Hedland Courthouse Gallery + Studio

This vibrant community gallery, located in Port Hedland’s mid-century Justice Complex, serves as an excellent venue for cultural enrichment.

Throughout the year, a variety of events occur, including curated exhibitions showcasing local and regional artists and diverse art and craft programming.

The principal gallery occupies the original courthouse building and features a bright, floor-to-ceiling exhibition space, complemented by a studio that includes an artist/maker space, darkroom, and tech lab.

For unique handmade items, the Store+Stockroom is available.

Four times annually, the complex also hosts the arts and crafts-focused West End Markets.

8. Cooke Point Viewing Platform

The significant tidal range in this region gives rise to a natural phenomenon that is unique to this part of Western Australia.

Known as the Staircase to the Moon, this event occurs when a full moon (or one that is nearly full) rises over the exposed tidal flats.

The moon’s reflection in the serene water creates a continuous band of light that resembles a staircase.

This spectacle is visible exclusively in Port Hedland between March and October, with the Cooke Point Viewing Platform being the prime location for observation.

The Staircase to the Moon occurs monthly over three consecutive nights, and a calendar detailing the phenomena is available from the Port Hedland Visitor Centre.

9. Marapikurrinya Park

Marapikurrinya Park provides an excellent vantage point to observe the harbor’s activities, located by the water in Port Hedland’s historic West End.

The park offers a front-row view across the channel to Finucane Island, from where you can see enormous iron ore ships being loaded and escorted in and out of the harbor by tugboats.

With a west-facing orientation, the view is particularly captivating at sunset.

On the second or third Friday of each month, the park also serves as the venue for Port Hedland’s Sunset Food Markets.

Typically, these markets feature live music, dance performances, children’s activities, and a variety of food trucks offering everything from pizza to kebabs, Thai food, and gourmet coffee.

10. Dalgety House Museum

Long before the mining industry took prominence in Port Hedland, the town served as a remote harbor outpost reliant on waterborne trade.

Dalgety and Company, an influential agricultural and shipping enterprise with extensive reach, was a key player during that time.

This residence, dating back to 1901, served as the company manager’s home for the Port Hedland branch and now functions as an interactive museum that narrates the town’s history.

The impact of European colonization on the Kariyarra Aboriginal people of the Pilbara is a central theme of the exhibits.

Visitors can explore a diverse collection of artifacts and documents, with displays covering topics such as Port Hedland during WWII, camel racing, and the SS Koombana.

11. Redbank Bridge Lookout

The lookout located on the southern side of Port Hedland provides an excellent vantage point to appreciate the remarkable scale of the town’s industrial operations.

Positioned at the northwestern corner of massive evaporation ponds, it offers unobstructed views of the white salt mountains.

Additionally, it provides proximity to the railway tracks, where you can witness the lengths of iron ore trains that service Port Hedland; these trains can take five minutes or more to completely pass! The lookout features a winding path with several information panels detailing the coastal ecosystem and natural history.

12. Turtle Viewing

The flatback sea turtle, known for nesting exclusively on Australian shores, visits Port Hedland’s sandy coastline during the summer months.

This species typically comes ashore from October to March, with hatchlings emerging from December to March and making their way back to the ocean.

Though not classified as endangered nationally, the flatback turtle faces local threats, and conservation efforts are coordinated by the “Care for Hedland” organization. This organization can facilitate guided evening tours that provide deeper insights into the turtles and their behavior.

13. Cape Keraudren Coastal Reserve

Embark on a road trip east along the Great Northern Highway to reach this secluded reserve on the Indian Ocean.

Cape Keraudren is located at the western terminus of Eighty Mile Beach, Australia’s longest uninterrupted beach, spanning 220 kilometers.

As you navigate northeast, the expanse of Eighty Mile Beach reveals itself, while the Cape Keraudren Coastal Reserve features narrower sandy beaches, tidal creeks, rocky outcrops, seagrass beds, and areas of mangrove.

This environment serves as a refuge for diverse wildlife, particularly wading birds such as pied oystercatchers, beach stone curlews, striated herons, eastern reef egrets, and migratory species like plovers and whimbrels.

Access to the reserve incurs a small fee, providing facilities such as campsites, toilets, and modest amenities.

Spending the night offers the reward of a spectacular sunset followed by an exceptionally bright night sky.

14. Port Hedland Boulevard

Despite its remote location, Port Hedland boasts a shopping center situated a few streets away from Cemetery Beach Park, opposite the Town Oval.

This area houses the majority of the town’s retail outlets and many dining establishments.

The principal attraction is a Woolworths supermarket, accompanied by two Harvey Norman stores (specializing in electrical goods and computing), a BWS, and the town’s community library.

Culinary options include various cafes, a bakery, a branch of Chicken Treat (a Western Australian barbecue chicken chain), and a noodle stand.

15. Port Hedland Visitor Centre

The Port Hedland Visitor Centre serves as an essential resource for information and tour arrangements, allowing for a comprehensive experience of Port Hedland and its industrial activities.

The knowledgeable staff can guide independent visitors regarding the harbor’s schedules, including the optimal times to observe iron ore ships at anchor or transiting the area.

The center features a practical live map of the harbor and offers mineral samples that showcase Port Hedland’s critical resources up close.

The “Tales of Hedland” program features weekly talks by local residents, while the regular Wedge Street Footpath Markets include stalls selling plants, jewelry, books, and arts and crafts.