Town named as RV-friendly

Port Hedland has reached a tourism milestone after being named the second RV Friendly Town in the Pilbara.

Town of Port Hedland Mayor Camilo Blanco said the council had recently committed to providing the RV overflow site for the next three years to support the developing tourism industry and provide visitors with a low-cost accommodation option.

Mr Blanco said the new wave of tourism was a good time for businesses and entrepreneurs to bring about better services for visitors.

He said the council would work with other Pilbara local governments to promote the town as part of a wider Pilbara Destination Tourism strategy.

“Travellers enjoy what Hedland and the Pilbara have to offer and this clearly boosts our local economy because of the increased influx of seasonal visitors,” Mr Blanco said.

“While the RV overflow campsite gave people a reason to stay a night or three in the town, what made their experience unique is the ability to get so close to industry, whether it be a 300,000-tonne iron ore carrier docking in our port or some of the longest trains in the world coming into Hedland to be unloaded,” he said.

Australia’s North West chief executive Glen Chidlow commended the Town of Port Hedland for taking the initiative to open the recreational vehicle overflow facility.

“Providing a facility that hasn’t previously been on offer to travellers makes Port Hedland a viable place to stop and learn about part of Australia that in many cases drives the Australian economy,” he said.

“Providing the appropriate amenities for the travelling visitor will enable people to stay in Port Hedland for longer.”

He said the increased popularity of the campsites would bring money into the town and would provide more opportunities for the Pilbara to grow.

A Port Tourist Park spokesman said last year the park was full during the peak season and another busy year was expected.

“It’s good for the Pilbara because it diversifies the income that comes into the town, and takes it away from the mining,” the spokesman said.

The Port Hedland Visitors Centre reported a 200 per cent increase in visitors when the opening of the RV overflow campsite was announced, and had one of its busiest seasons yet.