The Quarter in the City of Karratha
Karratha City Precinct showing buildings in The Quarter; mountain ranges in the background
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Karratha City Precinct showing buildings in The Quarter; mountain ranges in the background
To get a feel for the city’s layout climb Water Tank Hill Lookout above the Karratha Visitor Centre for panoramic views. If you are feeling energetic, the 3.5km Yaburara Aboriginal Heritage Walk Trail takes you through the Karratha hills with some scenic lookouts along the way.
Karratha is the perfect base to explore the natural beauty of its surrounds. The ancient Aboriginal rock engravings on the Burrup Peninsula and the picturesque beach at Hearson’s Cove are within a twenty minute drive of Karratha, as is the port town of Dampier. Cleaverville Creek, a popular fishing and camping spot is just a thirty minute drive away. The oasis of Millstream-Chichester National Park is a comfortable two hour drive from Karratha.
Explore the Dampier Archipelago by Boat Looking for things to do in Dampier? Lethal Adventures offers one of the most exciting and comfortable ways to experience the region’s spectacular coastline…
Pilbara Dive and Tours – Dampier & Karratha Discover the incredible marine and coastal landscapes of the Dampier Archipelago with Pilbara Dive and Tours. Based in Karratha, Western Australia…
Kimberley Outback Tours operate multi-day tours throughout Western Australia and the Northern Territory. We depart from Broome, Perth and Darwin. Tours vary in length from 3 to 16 nights with a maximum…
Open 7 days a week from 11am to 10pm Enjoy some locally brewed craft beer and delicious food at Karratha's only craft brewery, North West Brewing Co.! With…
Popular with locals and visitors alike, Hearson Cove is a shallow yet beautiful beach located on the Burrup Peninsula near Karratha. Hearson Cove is a small sandy cove with steep rugged hills to the…
Cleaverville Creek is a popular spot for camping or day trips. The beach area at the mouth of the Cleaverville Creek has fishing spots off the beach and a natural boat ramp. The camping area has public…
Gnoorea Point or 40-Mile Beach offers nature based camping with great fishing from the beach. For off-shore fishing there is also a natural boat ramp. The camping area has public toilets for day users…
The Yaburara Heritage Trail in Karratha is an insightful self-guided walking discovery of the traditional inhabitants of the area, the Yaburara Aboriginal People. The trail traces the culture and…
Cossack's immaculately restored bluestone buildings offer a rare insight into the area's past. Originally known as Tien Tsin after the barque that landed Walter Padbury, his party and his stock…
With 42 islands and islets of the Dampier Archipelago to explore, the chances of you running into another person are minimal, giving you the opportunity to unwind and discover the coast’s untamed…
The Burrup Peninsula is a small landmass with a large range of habitats, a diverse array of wildflowers and wildlife, and an ancient outdoor art gallery.
Millstream Chichester National Park offers some of the best nature based camping opportunities in the Pilbara region.
The Warlu Way follows the path of the Warlu Dreamtime serpent as it traverses Western Australia’s epic Pilbara Region – ancient and sacred landscapes rich in natural beauty and enchanting…
Located off the Pilbara Coast 120km west of Dampier and 139km north of Onslow, the Montebello Islands Marine Park covers more than 58,000 hectares of ocean and over 250 low-lying limestone islands and…
Karratha offers a wide range of accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets.
Some of Western Australia’s best beaches, coral gardens, fishing spots and restored heritage…
Located just 20 kilometres west of Karratha, the pretty port town of Dampier is named after the…
Roebourne's lovingly restored heritage buildings offer incredible insight on the early days of…
Your first stop for information, advice and unforgettable experiences in around Karratha.
How do I get to Karratha?
By air - Karratha is well serviced by Qantas and Virgin with multiple flights a day from Perth. Nexus Airlines offers regular passenger services, connecting Karratha with Broome, Port Hedland and Geraldton, with connections from Geraldton to Perth.
By road - The North West Coastal Highway connects Karratha to Perth from the south and Broome from the north. This major sealed road is one of the many high-quality roads that connects the region.
By coach - Integrity Coachlines provides scheduled coach services from Perth and Broome.
Find out moreWhat is the one must do thing in Karratha?
Visit the Murujuga Rock Art. The Traditional Owner groups of the Burrup Peninsula and surrounding areas are pleased to showcase their culture and extensive Rock Art petroglyphs.
Traditional custodian guides will give you the opportunity to experience not just the ancient Rock carvings but also their stories and explain how they lived in harmony with the land through their bush tucker and medicine interpretation.
Is Karratha worth visiting?
Red-hued earth, deep gorges, and pretty beaches: Karratha quite literally has it all. ... It's arguably one of the region's most beautiful beaches, and perfect for a day of swimming, fishing, and picnicking with family and friends.
What does the word Karratha mean?
Taking its name from one of WA’s early pastoral stations, from which the land was resumed, Karratha is an Aboriginal word meaning “good country” or “soft earth”. For many centuries, the region has been home to Aboriginal communities, and the nearby Burrup Peninsula features the world’s most prolific Aboriginal rock engraving sites, with over 10,000 identified examples.
What is the Aboriginal history of Karratha?
Karratha and the West Pilbara Coast of WA have a fascinating Aboriginal history and cultural heritage. Home to the Ngarluma and Yinidbarndi people for many generations, the locals acknowledge them as the region’s traditional landowners.
Millstream-Chichester National Park, the Jaburara Heritage Trail, Deep Gorge and the Burrup Peninsula are fascinating places to discover the Aboriginal history of Karratha and WA’s West Pilbara Coast. Over 40,000 rock engravings (petroglyphs) can be viewed in the region, many of which are located on the Burrup Peninsula.
Where can I snorkel in Karratha?
Point Samson is known to the locals as 'The Oasis of The Pilbara'. Point Samson hosts beautiful beaches, whale watching, fishing, snorkelling, swimming, coral garden reefs, bird watching, kayaking and canoeing, walk heritage trails.
Does Karratha have crocodiles?
Generally no. Crocodiles are rarely sighted a couple of hundred kilometres away from Karratha. However, the Kimberley and Pilbara regions are considered crocodile country.
Can you swim in the ocean at Karratha?
Karratha has several beaches, such as Whitnell and King Bay where you can swim at any time. There are plenty of fresh water swimming holes within an hours drive of Karratha as well.
What to do in Karratha?
Old Roebourne Gaol, Yaburara Heritage Trail, Millstream, Karijini, Local Lookouts, Mt Herbert, Wittenoom Road, Chichester Ranges, Roebourne, Burrup Peninsula, Picnic areas and parks, Beaches, Staircase to the Moon, Dampier Archipelago, Montebello Islands and more!