The Pilbara

I was living in Albany finishing off my teaching prac and got a call about a job going in Port Hedland starting in a month. I hadn’t even heard of Port Hedland but said yes and packed my bags for 5 months in the pilbara. The opportunity, financially and travel-wise seemed silly to refuse, and the next 5 months were for sure hectic and joyful.

Like anywhere, people make a place and Hedland was no exception. Without the crew I met, my time there would have been very different. Weekend trips north, south, and west, and everywhere in between were the highlights, with spontaneous game nights in also the best, my first time living out of home long-term full of lots of learning and excitement alike.

I wouldn’t recommend ever living in hedland, or even stopping on your way through, but the spots near and far from it were magical. I fell quickly in love with the pilbara and will be back one day for sure.

Karratha.

I loved Karratha, a livable city with everything you need, including a beach you can swim at. Indigenous rock art, marina and water-side pubs just a few of its hot spots, with thee dampier peninsula the perfect stretch of coast for dips, sunset bevs, camp outs and 4wd action. Thee nightlife much better than Hedland too!

Point Samson

Down the road from karratha, the quaint town houses beautiful blue waters and a campsite that books out over the winter. The pub here also busy with no better way to cool down then with a frothy. Honeymoon cove definitely worth a visit, the perfect little spot to set up for a day on the beach.

Python Pool

The sacred indigenous spot, named after the serpent that protects the waters, is stunning. A hard but worth it climb to the top and you’re treated layers of natural infinity pools overlooking the endless plains below. At the bottom, the shaded pool is the perfect place to float about and in the wet season I imagine the flowing falls an absolute sight!

Cape Keraudren

North of Hedland now, Cape Keraudren sits at the end of WA’s famous 80 mile beach. The water was another shade of blue it was insane, but slightly merky. With word of a local croc chilling at Keraudren we still decided to go for a dip, and it became a perfect beach day spot. 4wd is necessary to get on, or if you’d prefer to chill in the river mouth you can access with a 2wd as well.

80-mile beach

The campsite here was the perfect solo beach camp experience, other than the flies. The local owners very welcoming and i felt very safe. Watching the sun set I felt at peace and in awe that the beach I was standing on stretched for 40 miles either way.

Doolena Gorge

Sat near Marble Bar, Doolena stretches for miles with flowing streams and an array of varying landscapes. Green shrub, towering red rock and flat plains, I became a rock wallaby for the afternoon. The wide open spaces are perfect from swimming, jet skiing, kayaking and all of the above.

Coongan

Another random turn off from the highway, and you find a river with rope swings, burnt-out cars and a place where you become just grateful. Having a place like that to yourself is like no other, the rope swing always adding to the fun. With many spots to pull in along the river id presume you’d almost always have this spot to yourself in the dry season.

I honestly can’t remember where else we ended up, the weekends rolling into one. The Pilbara was special and I definitely recommend the visit.