Port Headland 7 – 10 October 2006

In the morning, we watched the tide come in. What had been a large mudflat with a few rocks sticking out quickly filled up with sparkling blue water. We watched fishermen launch boats next to a sign warning of the dangers in the water – crocs, sharks, sea snakes, stingrays, stone fish and stingers. No chance of a swim here!
On to Port Headland which we were told was a nothing - guess what, they are right! It’s like taking a holiday in Port Kembla but with lots of orange Pilbra dust that has ground into everything to make a hazy-brown landscape. The wharves create a bit of interest and contrast but the set-up is huge industrial scene. Went on a tour of the BHP iron ore loading setup and were amazed at the rail systems. Trains come in about 6 – 8 times a day from Newman about 3kms long with hundreds of ore trucks. They actually have a record haul of 7.2kms train with only one driver.
They incongruously produce masses of salt nearby and the spectacular pyramids of white are a blinding sight - probably the prettiest thing in Port Headland. It takes about two years to dehydrate sea water into salt. About 2% of it is for domestic purpose, the rest for industry. We stayed at the nearby settlement of South Headland about 15km away, where the majority of the population live, however it felt like a combination of Penrith South and Walgett. Thank goodness there was a pool at the park and $2 washing machines (they are usually $3 each!) Paid a fortune to get the air conditioner fixed yet again. Expensive due to “difficult research”. Nice guy ripping off tourists!