The Pilbara is the heart of Western Australia's huge iron ore mining industry. A fascinating and varied region reaching from the western coast to the remote interior of Australia.
Click here for a tour of the Pilbara region.
PORT HEDLAND
Port Hedland is a natural deep anchorage port and the main fuel and container receival point for the region. Plus, the port is also used to ship iron ore mined in the ranges located inland from the town. The ore is transported by rail from iron ore deposits inland from Port Hedland. Other major resource activities in the region include the offshore natural gas fields, salt, manganese, and livestock. The grazing of cattle and sheep was formerly a major industry in the region although is now much declined. Map and photographs.
ONSLOW
Onslow, a pleasant tree-shaded town, 1,386km north of Perth, is situated on the coast at Beadon Creek. There is excellent fishing and the beaches offer good, safe swimming. The original town of Onslow was located near the former mouth of the Ashburton River, and was the centre for the pastoral, pearling and mining industries of the area. In 1925-26 the town was moved to its present site on Beadon Bay. Exploration has shown a potential for the development of oil and natural gas resources, especially on the North-West Shelf. Historically, Onslow is the farthest point south in Western Australia to be bombed by the Japanese during WW2.
WHIM CREEK
The Whim Creek Hotel was built in 1887. The building itself, a steel-framed, timber and iron, two-storey structure, was prefabricated in England and transported by ship to the old port of Balla Balla All the roofing and wall timbers were cut to size and numbered for ease of construction, and the beautiful pinewood remains in excellent condition today. Despite suffering damage from cyclones over the years, the building is still solid and renovations have retained the character and atmosphere of its 106 years There are caravan and camping sites at the and Balla Balla beach is only 5 kilometres away. Whim Creek became the start line for the famous "Black Rock Stakes" in 1996. To be held on June 28, 1997. Teams push wheelbarrows of iron ore to Port Hedland 120 kilometres away.
PARDOO ROADHOUSE
Located 150kin north of Port Hediand on Great Northern Highway, Pardoo Roadhouse is a welcome stopping point on the long drive between Port Hedland and Broome. Cape Keraudren, 9km to the north, marks the southern end of Eighty Mile Beach and offers beautiful scenery and good fishing. The roadhouse is well equipped with a caravan park and motel. The Homestead and surrounding buildings offer a step back into time into life with the modem conveniences of today. The biggest attractions at Pardoo Station are the wildflowers and the excellent fishing from the tidal creeks and ocean.
MARBLE BAR
Marble Bar is known as the hottest town in Australia. 6km from the town, on the Coongan River, is the "Bar" itself. Originally thought to be marble, this large deposit is actually jasper. Make sure you splash some water across the stone to fully reveal its beauty. Flying Fox Lookout which magnificent views overlooking the Coongan River and surrounding hills. It is particularly spectacular when the river is running. No visit to Marble Bar is complete without a visit to the Iron Clad Hotel. The original town hotel, it offers incomparable atmosphere and will leave you wishing that the corrugated cladding of the walls could speak!
NULLAGINE
With the discovery of gold in 1888, later diamonds and gem stones, Nullagine is home to many gold miners and prospectors. Visit and enjoy the wonders and colours of this unique area, rich in minerals, with its abundance of rock holes, winter wildfiowers, wildlife, rolling red granite hills and gorges. This unspoiled area is a must to the traveller seeking true four wheel drive adventure and wilderness off-the-beaten-track. Visit the famous Carawine Gorge. Perhaps stay closer to town and take a walk through the ancient rocks of majestic "Beaton Gorge".Or rediscover a copper or gold mine in the district!
HAMERSLEY RANGE NATIONAL PARK
Spectacular mountains, plateaux, awesome 100 metre deep chasms. Put all this together and you have got some of the best views you'll ever experience - all are in the Hamersley Range National Park.
Perhaps the best view is from Oxer's Lookout. From here you have a truly grand view of the junction of Weano, Red, Hancock and Joffre Gorges and the ties of multi-coloured bonded rock towering over a clear water pool. This is the stuff the TV nature programmes are made of.
MOUNT BRUCE
(Information from Sharon Sax, see Sharon's Mt Bruce yarn here)
If you visit Karijini National Park, you shouldn't miss impressive Mount Bruce, known by the Aboriginal people as Punurrunha and the second tallest peak in Western Australia.
The challenging trek around the western face of the mountain offers splendid views of the surrounding countryside. The view from the summit is sensational, but the 9.5 kilometre hike to the top is not for the faint-hearted.
It's worth a stop, even if you don't want to tackle the mountain. A short walk from the carpark leads you to a viewing platform of the Marandoo Mine (in operation since 1992). The 4.6 km Honey Hakea track brings you roughly half way up the trail. If you don't wish to climb any further, take in the great views before returning. Six information boards along the entire track provide information about the changing vegetation and animal life in the area.
The walk can be difficult for some people. Correct footwear and adequate water supplies are essential. During the summer months it is best to climb the mountain in the cooler morning air.
Pay close attention to the markers on the way down to avoid straying from the correct path.
he historic town of Roebourne and the ghost town of Cossack are amongst the oldest settlements in WA.
ROEBOURNE
Situated on North West Coastal Highway, Roebourne is a central base for touring the area to see such places as Cossack, Point Samson, Harding River Dam, Millstream, Python Pool, Karratha, Wittenoom and Tom Price. The many well preserved and restored historic attractions around Roeboume are a must for the history buffs.
COSSACK
The pioneering town of Cossack is nestled at the mouth of the Harding River, 12km from Roeboume. With the cry of "gold" in the 1880's, hundreds of prospectors streamed through the port to seek their fortunes in the Pilbara fields. Today the historic town of Cossack features restored, fine old stone buildings from the past, Settlers Beach and Lookout, are a must for beach lovers. A safe, sandy beach ideal for families and for a leisurely stroll. The Lookout gives a beautiful view of the area, Roeboume, Wickham and Point Samson.
POINT SAMSON
Today, this extremely attractive setting has become the most popular beach resort for the locals from the surrounding mining towns. During spring tides it becomes an island connected to the mainland by a causeway over Pope's Nose Creek. Nearby Honeymoon Cove is a great spot to enjoy a secluded picnic.
The beautiful sandy beach at Point Samson is protected by a coral reef, making it perfect for swimming, game fishing and skindiving. The tidal rivers contain an immense variety of fish, from barramundi to mud crabs. Sam's Creek is also good fishing.
Offshore waters contain some of the best game fishing along the entire West Coast. John's Harbour, located past Honeymoon Cove, has a boat ramp and jetty.
The Backpackers Guide to WA says:-
Wickham, is the support town for Robe River Iron, who export through the port, which is close at hand at Cape Lambert.
The old police headquarters at Cossack has undergone extensive renovations and is now the backpackers headquarters for the area. Roebourne has a hotel and a caravan park, Wickham a hotel and Point Samson economy priced chalets and a caravan park.
Fishing is excellent at Samson and fishing dinghies are available for hire.
Established in 1866, Roebourne was the administration centre of the north-west while Cossack was the major port and base for the pearling fleet.
Handling all supplies to an area from Port Hedland to Marble Bar it was indeed an important waterway. Problems with silt caused the demise of Cossack as a port and subsequently the town was deserted and fast became a ghost town but local interest has kept the remaining buildings in very good repair.
Roebourne, the gateway to Australia’s greatest oasis Millstream, which emerges out of the stark rugged iron ore country of the Chichester National Park, is a tropical paradise set on the Fortescue River with tall trees, palms, water lillies and ferns surrounding a huge lake.
