Cooke Point

46 votes

Perched on a red-rock peninsula, Cooke Point delivers breezy ocean sunsets, walk-to-work proximity to the port and popular fishing ledges. Locals start the day spotting turtles along the coastal path, then wind down with barbecues overlooking glittering harbour lights – all five minutes from Hedland CBD conveniences.

2

Cassia Primary School

44 votes

Known for its culture-rich programs and strong NAPLAN gains, Cassia Primary offers dedicated STEM rooms, a community garden and after-school sport. The caring staff mix keeps FIFO families confident their kids enjoy stability and opportunity just a quick bike ride from South Hedland homes.

3

Baler Primary School

35 votes

Literacy hubs, shaded play courts and a lively music program make Baler Primary the heart of Port Hedland’s family precinct. Breakfast club and homework centres support shift-working parents, while close links with Hedland Senior High ensure a smooth pathway right through to Year 12.

4

Mile Beach

26 votes

Soft white sand and calm turquoise water give Mile Beach laid-back resort vibes despite its outback postcode. Weekend anglers chase whiting at dawn, then families roll out shade tents for all-day paddling. Ample parking and new shelters make spontaneous after-work swims an easy habit.

5

South Hedland Primary School

22 votes

With a focus on Indigenous languages and digital learning, South Hedland Primary equips students for both country and contemporary careers. Generous shade sails, veggie patches and a vibrant P&C foster community spirit, keeping this long-standing school front-of-mind for new estate buyers.

6

Shay Gap Park

16 votes

Named after a once-booming mining town, Shay Gap Park blends mature gums, basketball half-court and barbecue shelters into a cool green escape. Evening breezes fill the lawn with picnickers, while kids tackle colourful play equipment that feels a world away from Pilbara dust.

7

South Hedland Square Shopping Centre

15 votes

Woolies, Kmart and essential services sit under one air-conditioned roof, sparing locals the 15-kilometre drive to Port Hedland for basics. Weekend pop-up markets showcase Kimberley pearl stalls and curry trucks, turning routine errands into a lively catch-up spot for the whole community.

8

Hedland Senior High School

15 votes

Trades training centres, a new STEM wing and thriving footy academy make Hedland SHS a launch-pad for apprenticeships or university pathways. Boarding facilities and scholarship links with BHP keep regional kids learning close to home, underpinning steady rental demand for family houses nearby.

9

Port Hedland Primary School

10 votes

Set among shady tamarisk trees, Port Hedland Primary delivers small-class care, beach-science excursions and a popular breakfast program. Its walkable distance to Cooke Point cafés means parents can grab a coffee after drop-off before tackling shifts at the port or hospital.

10

Hardy Rec Centre

9 votes

Indoor courts, squash, yoga rooms and a fully equipped gym keep residents active even when Pilbara temperatures soar. Kids’ vacation programs run parallel to adults’ classes, letting families stay fit together, while the adjoining oval hosts twilight cricket once the heat drops away.

11

South Hedland Town Centre

9 votes

Recent streetscape upgrades added shade sails, public art and night lighting that transform the civic square into a cultural meeting place. NAIDOC concerts, moonlight movies and food-truck Fridays all unfold here, giving FIFO singles and young families a vibrant hub without leaving town.

12

South Hedland Shopping Centre

7 votes

Pharmacy, bakery, post office and hair salon sit cheek-by-jowl inside this compact mall, meaning errands can be smashed out in a coffee-break. Air-conditioned interiors and ample parking are gold during the wet season, keeping locals loyal even as bigger centres expand up the highway.

13

Pretty Pool Beach

5 votes

Rocky headlands buffer Pretty Pool’s azure shallows, creating a sheltered swimming hole beloved by families and four-legged friends. Covered picnic tables, turtle-nesting lookouts and fiery red-dirt sunsets make it a must-do evening ritual for Cooke Point residents chasing a cool sea breeze.

14

Cooke Point Beach

5 votes

This long, curved strip of sand faces the open Indian Ocean, offering refreshing swims on high tide and fossicking for shells when waters recede. A playground, outdoor showers and brand-new barbecues let locals roll straight from shift to shoreline without fuss.

15

Turner River

4 votes

Just 20 minutes south, Turner River’s cool pools and shady gums deliver rare freshwater relief in the deep Pilbara. Weekend 4WD convoys set up camp, flick lures for barramundi and watch night skies blaze with stars – an easy wilderness escape that costs nothing but fuel.

16

Newman Primary School

4 votes

Serving the iron-ore town two hours inland, Newman Primary blends outback resilience with modern tech, boasting robotics clubs and cultural exchange days with Martu students. Housing within walking distance is tightly held, reflecting the school’s role as the social glue of the Newman township.

17

Shay Gap Memorial Park

3 votes

Sculptures and interpretive boards commemorate the vanished mining town of Shay Gap, reminding residents of the Pilbara’s boom-and-bust heritage. Quiet lawns and mature palms make it a reflective lunch spot, while history buffs trace old photos on their phones to the surrounding landscape.

18

Marquee Park

3 votes

Water slides, splash buckets and shaded cabanas turn Marquee Park into South Hedland’s desert oasis each dry-season afternoon. Free entry means kids cool off daily while parents sip iced coffee from the kiosk – a lifesaver when temps nudging 40 °C become the seasonal norm.

19

JD Hardie Centre

3 votes

Basketball courts, e-sports hub, recording studio and youth services unite under one roof at the JD Hardie Centre. Free Wi-Fi and holiday programs keep teens engaged, while evening Zumba and boxing classes draw adults, cementing the venue as Hedland’s inclusive social heartbeat.

20

Cemetery Beach

3 votes

Nestled beside historic headstones, Cemetery Beach is a hotspot for flatback turtles nesting between November and January. Raised boardwalks protect fragile dunes while offering front-row wildlife viewing, delivering a unique natural encounter just a short stroll from Port Hedland’s foreshore cafes and cycle paths.

Area Hotlist — East Pilbara WA