S.S. Gorgon entering Port Hedland Harbour

Situated 455 km from Newman. Passing herds of wild goats and pigs, and travelling at a maximum speed of 45 miles per hour the party arrived at Port Hedland. Described as a ‘small seaport’ in the diary, Port Hedland today is described as the ‘world’s largest bulk tonnage export port’. Until the 1930’s, the port serviced the import and export of stores and local primary produce. Pearl shell, wool, livestock, gold and tin left the ‘small seaport’, but 2014 – 2015, iron ore comprised 95% of the export tonnage. The road being impassable between Port Hedland and Broome, the party travelled by steamer, the SS Gorgon. Tides in the port were described as rising and falling ’22 feet’. There was a wait for the tide to rise in order to load all the cars safely from the jetty