Port Hedland, Western Australia.

The weather decided for us that it was better to travel further north than it was for sightseeing.  With van in tow we set off from Karijini and Tom Price for Port Hedland.  As we left this region we noticed the landscape change,a great expanse of ranges to the left covered the horizon at which one point we drove through the middle of a gorge separated by the highway.

Wharf at the Port

Arriving at Port Hedland we booked ourselves in for one night at the Caravan Park on the beach front.  With van down we headed back into town for some stock.  Back at the van it was time to clean up.  Floor had to be washed and some order was required on the inside and out.  Duty done with Daniel decideing to stay another night.      




Another Export Container docking into port

    
Next day we headed off for some sight seeing.  About 14,000 people live in Port Hedland with about 9,000 in South Hedland which is really about 5 ks back and more residential.  In Port Hedland itself the obvious work was the movement of iron ore being transported from various mines in the Pilbarra region to the shipping wharves for transport overseas.  Rio Tinto also had a mineral salt deposit here.  

Anywhere you went it was just a red colour.  The pavements were red, the houses were red, roofs red, roads red, even public areas were all made from iron ore and consequently red. A room to rent in a house could cost anywhere from $400 a week to $550 depending on size and if it had any windows! The duplex on the corner with no particular view but a short distance from the beach was for sale for a paltry price of $2,000,000.  Sites at the caravan park for workers would range from bungalows at $500 per week.  One night's accommodation here in the van cost $50,which was the most we'd paid to date anywhere so far.  Port Hedland was worth seeing but there are nicer places around.





And what might I be bid for this magnificent parcel?.......ah   $2,000.0000!

Time to refuel before heading off