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Town in Western Australia
Photo: Nachoman-au, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Port Hedland is an industrial port in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, with a population of 15,471 (2020). It exports iron ore from the mines inland, with huge freight trains bringing the ore to the docks. It has accommodation and you might stop over on the way to Broome, or in the secondary town of South Hedland 13 km south. You're unlikely to linger unless you're in the mining or shipping business.
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This exhibits the development of the region from scrub to livestock ranges to large-scale mining. A workers' cottage was relocated here and houses an exhibition on SS Koombana, a small passenger and cargo ship which disappeared in a cyclone of 1912, with the loss of all 150 aboard. The wreck has not been found.
A town landmark: the cafe is in an old railway carriage. But it's not a tourist-trap, it earns good scores for its coffee and bites, service and value for money.
Large chain cafe overlooking the boat ramp, mixed reviews for quality.
Long-established central hotel, some facilities tired but overall decent.
formerly Ibis
Smart slick beachfront hotel.
Good clean chain motel, most visitors are here for the restaurant.
Chain caravan site with powered and unpowered pitches plus motel cabins. Cleanliness erratic.
Open all year, this has powered and unpowered pitches and motel cabins.
Basic but clean motel, a short walk to SH town.
It's more like a pub with rooms, serving 11AM till late.
Port Hedland has several direct flights a day from Perth with Qantas, Virgin and Alliance. They take two hours and you might pay $600 return.
Read in the guideBus 870 runs M-F hourly from Wedge St by the Visitor Centre to South Hedland, taking 40 min. It doesn't serve the airport.
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Port Hedland · International · PHE
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