WAPort & river
Port Hedland
Pearling and pastoral exports came before iron ore.
1896Town gazetted
WHAT STARTED IT
The natural harbour offered a shipping outlet for the Pilbara’s pastoral industry, pearling and later inland mining. The small settlement was gazetted as a town in 1896, decades before iron ore dominated its waterfront.
WHAT SUSTAINED IT
Large-scale port development from 1965 transformed the town. Railways, loading facilities and the new residential area of South Hedland accompanied expansion of the Pilbara iron ore trade.
TURNING POINTS
1896The town is gazetted.
1965A major development programme begins.
WHAT IT DOES NOW
A major bulk-export and industrial centre, with iron ore, salt and other cargoes defining the port landscape. Port Hedland and South Hedland form its two main residential areas.