Iron ore carrier
Ken Stepnell
Ken Stepnell
Port Hedland was named after Captain Peter Hedland, who reached this deep-water harbour in 1863. An iron-ore boom that began in the early 1960s saw the town grow at a remarkable rate. Today, Port Hedland handles the largest iron-ore export tonnage of any Australian port. Iron ore from some of the world's biggest mines is loaded onto huge ore carriers; the 2.6-kilometre trains operated by BHP Iron Ore are hard to miss. Salt production is another major industry with about two million tonnes exported per annum.
Visitor Information
13 Wedge St; (08) 9173 1711
