What to see & do, local tips & top 10's.
Top 10
- Dive on unexplored coral reef sites off the Dampier Archipelago.
- Explore what’s believed to be WA’s first shipwreck, The Tyrall, which sank in 1622 off the Montebello Islands.
- Visit Marble Bar, reputedly the hottest town in Australia, with summer temps of 45°C. You can cool off and watch birds at Chinaman’s Pool.
- Take a photo with the famous Red Dog statue in Dampier.
- View Aboriginal engravings on the Jaburara Heritage Trail in Karratha.
- Rub shoulders with artists in an outback ghost town at the Cossack Art Awards.
- Catch muddies off Middle Mangrove Island (limit fi ve crabs per day, and no littlies).
- Have a dip in the amazing Fortescue Falls at Karijini National Park.
- Take the ultimate off-road 4WD trip through Millstream Chichester National Park, and camp by the Fortescue River under the stars.
- Watch the world’s biggest container ships come and go from Port Hedland.
Local tips
You can’t miss the Dampier Archipelago: 42 islands of untouched natural wilderness and secluded beaches, perfect for day trips or your next camping adventure. Home to a large and diverse number of marine species, 25 of the islands are protected as part of the Dampier Archipelago Marine Park, making them some of Western Australia’s best diving and snorkelling spots.
Cossack Heritage Town was originally established as the North West’s main shipping port, and named Tien Tsin, after the boat that carried the first settlers to the region in 1863. It’s now a ghost town. Walking through the beautiful old buildings and reading about the people who lived there really connects you to Cossack’s history.
I like to walk on the sand flats of Hearson’s Cove at low tide. There are pools of water among the outcrops of reef, full of underwater wildlife, including 123 different species of coral, as well as octopus and mud crabs. It’s all set against the background of red rock and earth, blue skies and spectacular sunsets.
The North West is filled with larger-than-life characters, including Sam Ostojich, legendary for building his own castle on Tidepole Island, off the Dampier coast. After years of transporting rocks, soil and timber, he was granted a 99-year gentleman’s lease and connected to the mainland’s water supply. Sam whiled away his days on the island with his cat, Tiger, until he passed away in 2005. Today, you can tour the poignant remains of Sam’s Island. Ask for a visitor’s permit from Karratha Visitor Centre.
Eating & drinking
If you enjoy catching your own fish off the coast, and cooking over a barbie or gas stove, the Pilbara is ideal for you. Point Samson is the place for reef fishing – if you don’t catch anything, the town is famous for its fish ’n’ chips and delicious fresh seafood. You might give in to roadhouse food or hungry miners’ takeaway now and then, but when you’re in the outback, you really must give some traditional bush tucker a try, especially if you are on an Indigenous tour or cultural experience. At Karijini Eco Retreat, you can enjoy freshly grilled barramundi or kangaroo after a long day hiking the trails.
Things to do & see
Heroes in a half-shell
Eighty Mile Beach has been hailed as one of the longest uninterrupted stretches of beach in Western Australia – and that alone is enough to draw visitors. But it’s the coming and going of tiny flatback turtles, only found in Northern Australia, that make people stick around. Mating season runs from October to February, hatching is from December to March. You’ll fi nd Eighty Mile Beach between Cape Missiessy and Cape Keraudren on the Great Northern Highway – turn down the 10km access road to the caravan park.
Gorge on gorgeous gorges
Travelling through the extremely hot and dry landscape of the Pilbara, it seems impossible to believe that water could exist there in abundance.
And then you discover the miraculous beauty of Karijini National Park in the Hamersley Range, where emerald-green rock pools of ice-cold water lie at the bottom of deep red-rock ravines. Oxer Lookout, an 800m stroll from the car park, brings you to a spectacular drop-off with breathtaking views over the junction of four mighty gorges: Red, Weano, Joffre and Hancock. Getting to other sites often involves longer walks through challenging terrain in sweltering temperatures (it’s always worth it in the end).
Hot tips for Karijini dips
Wash all that red dirt away at Fortescue Falls, the park’s only permanent waterfall. Find it at Dales Gorge, an 800m walk from the car park (there are rocky steps so allow an hour return).
From Fortescue Falls, take the 300m detour to pretty, spring-fed Fern Pool, complete with timbered swimming platform and stairs. Fortescue Falls is also the starting point for an 800m hike (allow two hours return) to Circular Pool. The walk starts off steep but ends in an easy and scenic ramble.
Named for its luminous green waters, Kermit’s Pool at Hancock Gorge is at the end of a challenging 1.5km trail (allow three hours return) that involves a steep descent and ladder.
An equally adventurous option is Handrail Pool in Weano Gorge, with a very steep and narrow 1.5km descent (allow three hours return).
Grab your swag and billy can
One of the best places for camping is Millstream Chichester National Park. Fed by an underground aquifer, the park’s gorges and pools are in stark contrast to the barren surroundings and spinifex-covered hills.
The Miliyanha campground offers powered sites, while Stargazers is unpowered. BYO fuel stove, because camp fires are prohibited, and don’t forget your bathers so you can enjoy a cool dip in Deep Reach, Crossing, and Python pools.
Captivating captains of industry
The best way to appreciate the gargantuan scale of mining operations is to head to Marapikurrinya Park in Port Hedland. From the water’s edge, you’ll see massive container ships loading up iron ore, salt and other minerals before heading off to international ports. Further along, at Redbank Bridge, watch for 3km-long trains bringing iron ore from the Newman mine. You’ll also spot a massive salt stockpile. Visit at sunrise or sunset for photo opportunities.