A bonafide mining town nestled on the Pilbara coastline 240 kilometres north of Karratha, life in Port Hedland is a little more streamlined than one would imagine. Hard-edged with a diverse community, the Pilbara’s second-largest town is famous for its vast resource industry, expansive harbour, salt mounds, indigenous history, and incredible wildlife. Whether you are scaling the coast on your way to the Kimberley, or set on the sights in and around town, leave no stone unturned in your Hertz rental car.
Uncover Port Hedland’s Rich Mining History with Hertz
Start your Pilbara adventure at the Port Hedland Visitors Centre, delving into the town’s rich cultural and mining history. Learn about the land and its traditional custodians – the Kariyarra people and their relationship with the town’s resource sector.
Often toiling away in the shadows, Port Hedland has instead chosen to embrace its mining identity, opening up a world that is often inaccessible to the public eye. Explore the ins and outs of the world’s largest bulk export port on the Port Hedland Harbour Tour or experience the port in all its glory on the popular Twilight Industry Tour.
Another memorable experience is the 3-hour guided Salt Eco Tour, shedding light on the salt-making process, local wildlife, and rich Aboriginal heritage. Join a guided bus tour taking visitors on a journey through Port Hedland’s immense salt ponds and enchanting wetlands utilised by over 60 species of migratory birds, tallying over 10,000 total annually. The wetlands are rich with budding life and home to countless popular sporting fish including – Barramundi, Giant Trevally, Trout, Cod and more.
Explore Greener Pastures with Hertz
For a town so ingrained in resource mining, it is hard to imagine a world beyond the vast ships and sprawling harbour. Yet only a short drive from town in your Hertz rental car is the crown jewel of Port Hedland – Pretty Pool Park.
The perfect place to escape the Pilbara’s searing heat, dine in the shade or bathe in the shallows at this beautiful little tidal lagoon. Fire up the barbecue with family and friends or enjoy a lovely picnic lunch on the vibrant terraced parklands. The lagoon’s fullness can be attributed to intense tidal variations, with the lagoon at its peak during high tide.
On the opposite side of town in Port Hedland’s historic West End is this location’s latest arrival - Marapikurrinya Park. With the sun on your back and breeze in your hair, cast your eyes over the ocean as symphonies of ships leisurely stroke the harbour bay. State-of-the-art play equipment will keep the kids well entertained with the park also home to Port Hedland’s uber-popular Sunset Food Markets.
As a large coastal town, there is no shortage of alluring beaches in this part of the world. Accessible in your Hertz rental car in a matter of minutes, Cemetery Beach is a great place to start. A wonderful play area envelops the beach’s rugged coastline with extreme tidal activity transforming the bay. At low tide, you can explore the fringing reef just offshore while you may spot a baby green turtle wadding in the shoals as the tide sets in. Between October and March, watch on in awe as bales of Flatback Turtles nest on the shores, one of the last nesting sites on Earth for these precious little creatures.
As the sun starts to set, the skies come to life with Redbank Bridge and Cooke Point the best places in town to watch it all unfold. If the stars align while you are in town, you will be treated to one of the world’s most impressive natural light shows – Staircase to the Moon.
A gateway to another world, Port Hedland is just the start. With your Hertz rental car, you have access to a whole host of sparkling beaches, natural wonders and some of the best scenery in the Pilbara. See the town and journey on for the adventure of a lifetime through Australia’s Northwest.
