Working in Port Hedland, Western Australia

Port Hedland is the highest tonnage port in Australia  and largest town in the Pilbara region of Western Australia with a population of approximately 14,000 (this includes its satellite suburb of South Hedland 18 km away). Port Hedland is a natural deep anchorage port which, as well as being the main fuel and container receival point for the region, was seen as perfect for shipment of the iron ore being mined in the ranges located inland from the town. The two major business enterprises within the town are BHP Billiton, which operates a significant iron ore processing and shipping facility exporting 70 million tonnes of iron ore per year and a complex direct reduced iron plant producing iron briquettes for export; and Dampier Salt, which produces over 3 million tonnes of industrial salt annually for export from solar salt ponds. Other minerals including manganese, copper and tantalum are also exported by various companies.

Port Hedland is an industrial center focused on the extraction, processing and exporting of iron-ore from the massive deposits in surrounding ranges. Its hinterlands are dry areas with ranges, rock formations and grasslands.

The lifestyle of Port Hedland is relaxed and open. The Town's location on the ocean provides for a variety of aquatic leisure activities including superb fishing. Whales and nesting flatback turtles can be seen in season. Millstream and Karijini National Parks are within easy driving distance, while Broome and the Kimberley are also within reach.  Port Hedland is an anglers paradise. A wide variety of fish such as bream, whiting, mullet, kingfish and skippy can be caught in a number of habitats. A large population of juicy mud crabs live in the dense mangroves vegetated with samphires and other salt-tolerant plants. Port Hedland marks the southwestern terminus of Eighty Mile Beach. This beach stretches some 80 miles along the West Australian coast up towards Broome; its brilliant aqua and azure waters meet stark white beaches.

The two main residential centres are Port Hedland and South Hedland. Each has a range of community services including cultural, recreation and shopping facilities. Branches of major Banks are located in Wedge Street Port Hedland, while Commonwealth and State Government offices are mainly located in the South Hedland CBD. There are 5 primary schools in Port Hedland district and one local high school.

The climate of Port Hedland is warm to hot, with mean maximum temperatures of 36.4 °C (97.5 °F) in January and 27.1 °C (80.8 °F) in July.