Story: Port Hedland Heritage Trail
Airdate: 15th September, 2019
Presenter: Chrissy Morrissy

1900-kms north of Perth lays Port Hedland, a town with a long and fascinating history.

• Mostly known for its thriving resources industry, the town of Port Hedland has a history going back beyond its mining.
• In the town’s West End you can find Dalgety House, a well-kept museum of the town.
• Back in 1962, the population of Port Hedland was only 600 people, with 40% of them being indigenous.
• When it was announced that the town had obtained an iron ore export liscence, over 1500 people arrived looking for work, only to find that the mine hadn’t yet been built.
• The Cultural and Heritage Walking Tour will take you on a journey through the town’s history, with stops including Lot One, which was the first block of land marked off by the Lands Department, and the Pier Hotel, once known as the toughest pub in the world.
• The Sealanes building used to be home to one of the first multi-purpose shopping arcades.
• The only historical heritage listed building in Port Hedland is the old hospital site, now a Dome café – the café has retained the original style of the building. Back when the hospital was operating, the doctor lived out in Marble Bar, so the responsibility of keeping patients healthy fell on the nurses.
• With 28 stops on the tour, your trip should take about 45 minutes – although it could take longer if you get caught up talking to people.

Be sure to get out and explore the history of Port Headland on your next trip to the Pilbara.

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