Port Hedland is the major port for shipping Australian iron ore and one of the few ports capable of handling the huge bulk carriers in which the ore is shipped out. The region around Port Hedland is called Pilbara which means dry in one of the aboriginal languages. To which I would add hot since the temperature is hovering around 100 degrees

But we did find that surprisingly, Port Hedland has a lot of art, iron sculptures in the streets, wall art all part of the 'Pilbara Project'. The project is funded by the state and private sources and is a effort to record and preserve the original life of the area, both native and European.

One facet of that project involves native artists -- women when we were there -- creating traditional art work. We were able to talk to them about how they worked and what their work meant. For someone interested in art it was fascinating. Their workshop was air conditioned so we were able to spend some time talking to them, but eventually the heat got to us and we had to leave.

For most of our fellow passenger, however, Port Hedland had nothing to offer, a few shops, no real restaurants, no scenic areas or beaches -- unless you like industrial machinery. In fact the only reason I can think of for stopping at Port Hedland is that it's the only place on the Australian west coast aside from Fremantle that can handle a ship the size of the Solstice.