This part of Western Australia was visited by many exploring parties prior to the settlement of the colony in 1829. The earliest recorded visit is that of Dirk Hartog in 1616.

The township of Port Hedland was officially gazetted on 23 October 1896 and the jetty construction was commenced in the same year and completed in 1899. After the second World War the port continued to serve the pastoral industry in the area and received a boost with the mining of manganese.

With the discovery of iron ore in the region, 1965 was the year when Port Hedland's massive development program commenced. With the large increase of population the township of South Hedland was designed and built. During the year ending June 1997 65.1 million tomes of iron and 2.5 million tonnes of salt were exported.

Today Port Hedland and South Hedland is a busy community of over 15,000 who enjoy excellent living standards, education and shopping facilities.