Iron-ore manufacturing is a major industry in Port Hedland, and as we docked it was evident. The ship extended the gangway so that it rested on top of the green shipping container. Then passengers walked off the ship, crossed the top of the shipping container, and descended the ramp. The port terminal consisted of two little temporary tents! City buses and motor coaches acted as shuttles to take passengers to a drop-off point in town as no one was allowed to walk through the industrial port.
We chose a ship’s excursion for a tour of BHP Billiton, an iron-ore manufacturing facility. 
A representative of the company hopped on our bus and explained the process. Trains, heavy equipment, conveyor belts, dirt: every little boy’s dream.
They also processed and shipped salt.
After the tour, we chose to be dropped off in town at a park. The people of Port Hedland provided volunteers at the city drop-off point. 
Such friendly Aussies! They had maps and answered questions. Several crafters had booths as did some of the manufactures, environmental groups, and Jehovah’s Witnesses.
There was also a nice playground at this park. They were smart to make sure the equipment was covered from the direct sun. It was brutally hot. Even though we were there in February, it was at the end of the summer for them.
Banners on the light poles welcomed cruise ship passengers to the small town.
We walked around the town and stopped in a general store. I am familiar with printed wildlife guidebooks. As a child, we would use them for leaf collections, and bug collections, etc. But this wildlife book was quite unique:
It was actually close enough to walk to the ship from town, but since passengers are not allowed to walk through the industrial port, we had to wait in line to catch a shuttle bus. The various manufacturing plants had representatives available and some were handing out bottles of water as we stood in the heat. 
The wind was not too bad that day, but it can get very strong. The photo above shows that they battle a fine coat of orange/brown dust on the roads, cars, houses, etc. The manufacturers used water to spray a fine mist on the piles of ore to keep the dust down when the wind would pick up.
The shuttles made three stops. One at the original drop off point so people could walk into town, a second stop had a couple of small museums, and a third stop was at a market. We noticed a long line of people at the market waiting for a shuttle bus back to the ship late in the day as everyone started returning from town. As we neared the port entry, a security guard boarded the shuttle and checked our ship ID’s to allow re-entry.
After this stop, I have a new respect for the manufacturing industry and the people who live in remote places like Port Hedland to do the work.
Next port: Geraldton, Australia