Port Hedland WA

Port Hedland is one of the three major iron ore ports in the Pilbara. During the late 1800’s it was a popular stopover for the pearl luggers. Then the port was used to export gold from Nullagine and Marble Bar with a railway built in 1911. In the 1950’s manganese was also transported to the port. In 2016 it was the largest tonnage export port in the world (372.3m tonnes). we noticed the haulage trains were much longer and had 2 locomotives in the front and another 2 half way along. We could also hear them most of the night.

We began our explorations this morning with  stop at Don Rhodes Mining Open air Museum. It is named after the man who invented the modern Australian road train. The park had 3 old locomotives and a few rusty machineries used to tar roads and in transportation.

Marapikurringa Park situated opposite the port gave us a great view of the loading of the ore into huge ships. Unfortunately they weren’t working this morning but we got the idea of what it was all about. 

We had a look at the lushly landscaped Spoilground Marina offering some activities and providing lots of bbq areas as well as a boat ramp and lots of parking. There is also an extensive walking/cycle trail along the shoreline. 

Dampier Salt company also has operational salt pans here. We watch from the lookout as the pile gets bigger…

As we left town we filled up with water and did a Cole’s shop.

We found our overnight stay at De Grey roadside stop about 80km along highway #1 as we sneak up north. 

Turtle Head rock 

A total of 103km today