Port Hedland is there anything to see or do?

Port Hedland is there anything to see or do? A great question often asked by travellers usually just passing through on the way to Broome. Yes, surprisingly there is quite a lot to see and do

I joined the Great Northern Highway at Newman, though it is 1628km from Perth to Port Hedland through the centre of Western Australia.

Albert Tognolini Lookout

Always wanting to enjoy the journey, not just the destination, I stopped at the Albert Tognolini Lookout, 180km north of Newman. Wow, what awesome views of the Munjina East Gorge with the highway weaving through and it was gorgeous driving through too.

Albert Tognolini Lookout

Albert was an engineer, who was responsible for major improvements to the section of the Great Northern Hwy from Newman to Port Hedland. He ended up being the Commissioner for Main Roads.

The Lookout has a sheltered picnic area ( large gazebo) with tables and benches and paved path (no red sand in your shoes here) but no toilets or water. The road up to the lookout is sealed, though the car park is gravel.

So is there anything to see or do in Port Hedland?

I found 10 things to see and do in Port Hedland.

1. Port Hedland Port

Port Hedland is very industrial, not what I would call scenic or pretty, but it is on the coast. The port is the largest bulk export port in the world, where the mining industry send their iron ore, lithium and salt to overseas buyers.

The visitors centre has a list of the shipping movements in the port, so I went to watch the tug boats bring in the massive ships. It was great, these tiny tug boats pushing these huge ships into place. The harbour is very narrow and all the ships need to be guided in by a pilot. You can also see the shipping schedule here http://pilbaraports.com.au

I watched the ships from Marapikurrinya Park, there is parking, picnic tables, playground and toilets.

The little tug that could at Port Hedland port.

2. Seafarers Centre and Harbour Tour

I headed out to the Seafarers Centre, what a surprise I totally did not expect this, so much more than a tour of the harbour. I started at the centre with a complimentary cup of tea ( already impressed ) and an info talk from the Anglican Pastor.

The Seafarers are a not for profit Christian organisation, who assist the sailors on the huge bulk carrier ships, with transport into port, phone cards, shopping, church services, and a recreation centre to chill out, sleep or play pool. The ships are taking the iron ore, salt, lithium and anything else they mine to China. It takes 2 weeks to get to Shanghai and the sailors can stay on board for 7 months at a time (to avoid COVID and quarantining).

The Seafarers Centre.

Next onto the launch boat to cruise the harbour, delivering some online shopping and picking up some guys wanting to come ashore. We look out for the ships hanging the St George flag over the side, this is like hailing a taxi … so interesting such a great morning. For more info see  http://phseafarers.org   for tour days and times.

The St George Flag

3. Stairway to the Moon

The Stairway to the Moon is when a full moon rises over the mud flats at low tide, creating a stairway of reflections. It is absolutely stunning, a beautiful view that lasts about one hour. There was only a small group of people (not 100s like in Broome) standing on the viewing platform, on the beach at Cooke Point, near the Discovery Caravan Park, But I would get there early to get a great spot. It usually can be seen at the beginning of each month, between March and October, in the Pilbara and Kimberley, but check the dates here https://www.australiasnorthwest.com  

The Stairway to the Moon.

4. Cemetery Beach

Cemetery Beach opposite the Old Cemetery, is a popular beach for watching the sunset. There is a grass area, toilets, picnic tables and bbq. Flatback turtles nest along the beach from October to March. There is a turtle information hut on the beach and also see Care for Hedland Turtle Monitoring for more info http://careforhedland.org.au.

I loved watching the turtles build their nest and lay their eggs so much I wrote a blog about it (with some pretty cute hatchling photos too) You can  check it out here https://sole-traveller.com/turtles-in-port-hedland

Sunset from Cemetery Beach

Cemetery Beach

Can there be anything else to do or see in Port hedland?

Well, near the visitors centre is the Courthouse Art Gallery and Silver Star Cafe inside an old railway carriage. You can get the self-guided history and art trail map from the Visitors Centre,

5 The Silver Star Cafe

6 Street Art in Port Hedland

7   A bubblewrap top for every occasion.

8  Redbank Bridge Lookout

The lookout is just next to the car park and has information signs about the Pilbara landscape and the wildlife, though not about the enormous  Rio Tinto salt pile in front. At the top of the bridge you have views of the vast landscape and the Salt mine in operation. Be careful there is not much room between you and the traffic! This is another great spot to photograph the sunset reflecting off the salt lakes and do some train spotting, which is not hard as they can be up to 7 kms long, that’s long. During May to September Pilbara Tours do guided tours of the Salt Mine and Twilight Industry Port tours, see http://pilbaratours.com.au

Salt Pile at Rio Tinto Salt Mine.

9. Koombana Lookout

The Koombana Lookout is a memorial to the ship SS Koombana, which sank in a cyclone on 20 March 1912 with 157 passengers and crew lost at sea. The Lookout has parking and more great views of Cemetery Beach and the ships queuing to get into the port.

Evening view from Koombana Lookout

Koombana Lookout

10. Pretty Pool

Pretty Pool is located near the Discovery Caravan park and is very scenic, peaceful and relaxing. There is a grass area with picnic tables, bbq and shady trees. The pool is tidal, but always has some water, even at low tide. Be careful walking on the sand flats and in water, as the area has lots of wildlife eg snakes and stonefish. Turtles can also be seen nesting here, though not often.

Pretty Pool Mangroves

Pretty Pool

Port Hedland is there anything to see or do solo travel tips:

• Take insect repellent for mosquitos and midges.
• Travel between May and September where more tours are operating and facilities are open.
•  The weather is extremely hot (32 to 45 degrees) in Summer, be prepared with water, shade and a hat. The winter is beautiful with very little rain and temps from 28 to 32 degrees.
• Book accommodation early because it can be difficult to find at short notice.
• Take care if you go out at night, there is not a lot to do at night and anti-social behaviour can be a problem. I had an early dinner and used my evenings to plan the next day, catch up on social media in my hotel room or go to bed early with a good book.
• Keep an eye on your belongings and keep valuables out of sight.
• Stock up on food and personal items at Woolworths or Coles. There is also a Kmart at nearby South Hedland.

Port Hedland is great place to stop and explore for a few days, when you are travelling along the West Australian coast and in need of a break from driving and a place to restock your supplies.

If you are travelling down the Coral Coast and need to know what’s available at Monkey Mia, then check out Things to do in Monkey Mia, Shark Bay, Western Australia

Safe Travels

Jo