The town's death knell was sounded in 1898 when a cyclone disrupted its pearling industry and blocked the harbour with silt, after that it was no longer possible for larger boats to enter, and Point Samson became the major port after 1910. The town features a museum, cemetery and several restored stone buildings. The deepwater port and modern town were built by Hamersley Iron in the 1960's and it is here that the iron ore from mines at Tom Price and Paraburdoo is railed, stock piled and loaded on to ships for export. Salt is also an important export. One of the large iron ore ports for the Pilbara.
Permits are available for touring the works and port.
Good sailing, boating and fishing. Exmouth was established as a support town for the base. Now the base is a radio relay station, sending and receiving messages to and from United States and Australian ships, the base has thirteen transmitter towers, all taller than the Eiffel Tower. It is the most scenic of the itineraries and travels through towns such as New Norica, Coorow, Carnamah, Three Springs, Mindenew and Dongara. Wildflowers abound in Spring, adding to the atmosphere of the scenic drive.