3 days in Port Hedland

The natural starting point for your day is at the Port Hedland Visitor Centre on Wedge Street in the West End – have a chat to the friendly team and get some local tips while you pick up maps and brochures, and check out the tide and shipping times.

Stop into the Dalgety House Museum. This restored manager’s residence brings early settlement to life with artefacts and stories from local volunteers. Don't miss the display about the loss of the SS Koombaa. Dalgety House is open from May to October, with a $3 entry fee (cash only). 

Continuing the heritage theme, drive along Port Hedland Road to the Don Rhodes Mining and Transport Museum, where an open‑air display shows retired mining and transport machinery that helped shape the region. 

From the Don Rhodes Mining Museum you can continue on Port Hedland Road, turning left onto McGregor St to Koombana Lookout for panoramic views of the harbour, town and Pilbara coastline.

Close to the Koombana Lookout you'll find Rays at the Hedland Hotel. Enjoy lunch with expansive ocean views from the deck area, or make a plan to pop back for breakfast, dinner or simply to enjoy a sundowner with a view. 

To soak up more of the town's historic character, you could also head back to the West End to Dôme Café, located at the former District Medical Officer’s Quarters. The beautifully restored heritage building, complete with its shaded verandah and harbour views, sits alongside a modern two-storey café extension, giving visitors the choice of enjoying coffee or a meal in either the heritage elegance of the original building and shaded verandah, or the bright, air-conditioned addition.

Close to the Visitor Centre you’ll find Marapikurrinya Park overlooking the harbour – this is a great opportunity to watch the epic GIANT iron ore ships coming in and out of the port, the world’s largest bulk export port by tonnage - a truly awe-inspiring display of industrial scale. Enjoy a bite from the pop-up food vendors at the brightly painted shipping containers (fresh fish and chips are often available), and if you’re on a family trip, the kids will enjoy time the playground.

For a behind the scenes look at Port Hedland's industry, join one of two tours with Pilbara Tours departing from the Visitor Centre. The Salt Industry tour explores the towering port operations at Dampier Salt, while the Twilight Industry Tour provides a broader overview of the harbour and bulk shipping operations. Both guided bus tours provide fantastic insight into the region’s vital resource industry with your guide Phillip Smeeton.

In the evening, check out the programme at the Matt Dann Theatre & Cinema.

In the morning, head back to the West End to the Port Hedland Seafarer’s Centre for the Harbour Tour. This experience is authentic, educational and uniquely Hedland - you'll board the Seafarers launch vessel, travel across the harbour and see enormous iron ore carriers from water level. Discover how the Centre works with international shipping crews to provide them with essential onshore services - a vital role in the global maritime industry that drives Port Hedland. 

If you'd prefer to keep both feet firmly on land, you could choose the new Seafarer's Centre Tower Tour - enjoy elevated harbour views and see the shipping movements, with the chance to see a helicopter transporting marine pilots taking off or landing. 

While you're in the West End, plan a stop at the Silver Star Café on Edgar St for breakfast, brunch or an early lunch. This quirky café is set inside a historic 1939 railway carriage which was built in Chicago and brought to the Pilbara to celebrate the first 100 million tonnes of iron ore carried on the Mount Newman railway. 

In the afternoon, it’s time to check out Port Hedland’s creative side. Close to the Silver Star Café, the Courthouse Gallery+Studio runs a vibrant programme of events alongside creative studios and a large exhibition space with contemporary Indigenous and local art. Browse unique, locally-crafted art, gifts, and homewares that celebrate the creativity of the region.

Then, hop in the car and drive to South Hedland to the Spinifex Hill Studios on Hedditch St, home to one of the Pilbara’s youngest and most diverse art collectives. Exhibitions and a public programme of events are held in the Studio’s Project Space, alongside works for sale by the artists.    

To round off your day, catch an iconic Port Hedland sunset at the Redbank Bridge Lookout.

Just a short drive in from Port Hedland Road/Wilson Street, the lookout offers sweeping views over the Dampier Salt operations, where the town’s striking white salt piles catch the evening light—a classic Port Hedland shot. It’s an easy spot to park, snap photos, and watch the colours change as the sun sets.

Start your day at Cemetery Beach, a peaceful spot with a unique natural story. Depending on the season, you might witness turtle hatching early in the morning or nesting in the afternoon (generally October to January), while green sea turtles can often be spotted from the lookout throughout the year. The area also features a picnic and BBQ space, making it ideal for a relaxed stop.

Local group Care for Hedland helps protect these amazing creatures, and if you’re visiting at the right time, volunteers can share insights into the process. When reef walks are available, take a guided stroll along the fringing reef to spot small marine life and enjoy the clear Pilbara waters.

From there, head to the Pretty Pool area, a local favourite for a quiet swim or just relaxing by the water’s edge. The natural pools and calm surroundings make it a great spot to soak up the morning sun. Make sure to check the tides - swimming here is on low tide only. 

Spend the afternoon exploring the new Spoilbank Marina area, a hub of activity and a flagship development for both locals and visitors. Stroll along the public art trail, have fun at the playground and enjoy a splash at the aquapark. If you like fishing, throw a line from the jetty or launch your own boat on the public ramp and navigation channel.

Shaded seating, picnic and bbq areas invite visitors to relax and take in the harbour views. For a truly memorable perspective, consider a daytime coastal or sunset luxury cruise from the marina. 

For golf enthusiasts, the Port Hedland Golf Club offers 18 holes on sand greens, with a licensed clubhouse, and clubs and carts available for hire—perfect for a relaxed round amid the Pilbara landscape.

If your visit aligns with the lunar cycle, end your day at Cooke Point to witness the Staircase to the Moon, one of Port Hedland’s most iconic natural phenomena. As the full moon rises over the tidal flats, the reflection creates the illusion of steps to the sky - a breathtaking finale to your Port Hedland visit. Be sure to check the exact moonrise times with the Port Hedland Visitor Centre. The lookout at Cooke Point is also an awesome sunrise spot.