North West

Western Australia

Yindjibarndi Country

The Pilbara

The Pilbara

The Pilbara

The Pilbara is a large, dry, sparsely populated region in the North West of Western Australia. The Pilbara is known for  its ancient landscapes, vast mineral deposits & natural resources.   The Pilbara covers an area of 502,000 km2 & includes some of Earth's oldest rock formations.  The Pilbara is also home to spectacular landscapes, coastal plains, mountain ranges, cliffs and gorges.  The major settlements of the region are Port Hedland, Karratha and Newman.  The three main ports in this region are Port Hedland, Dampier and Port Walcott.

The Pilbara is also known for its native occupants, the Aborigine, and the wonderful culture they bring to the area.   The name Pilbara comes from the Aboriginal word bilybara, meaning 'dry' in the Nyamal and Banyjima languages.  Archaeological evidence indicates that the native occupants have been living in the Pilbara for over 30-40,000 years.  Near the town of Dampier, a peninsula known as Murujuga contains a large collection of world heritage listed petroglyphs, dating back thousands of years.   Much of the Rock art in the Pilbara appears to have been primarily etched into the hard rock surfaces, compared to mainly paintings on the softer sandstone surfaces in the Kimberley.

The Pilbara had it's roots in mining in 1937 with Wittenoom Gorge, which is now a ghost town after having closed down in 1966 due to decreased profits and growing health concerns from the asbestos mining in the area.  Following the discovery of iron ore in the Hamersley Ranges in the 1960s, the area became pivotal to the state's economy and satellite towns were built to accommodate the boom in mining and allied services.  

The Montebello Islands are an archipelago of around 174 small islands (about 92 of which are named) located 20km north of Barrow Island and 130km off the Pilbara coast.  It was here that on the 3rd October 1952, the British conducted their first of 3 atomic bomb tests as part of Operation Hurricane.

The region also has a number of cattle-grazing stations, and a substantial tourist sector, with popular natural attractions including the Karijini and Millstream-Chichester national parks, the Dampier Archipelago and the Ningaloo Reef.

Things To Do

  • Karijini National Park
  • Dales Gorge
  • Cape Keraudren Nature Reserve (Port Hedland)
  • Weano Gorge (Karijini National Park)
  • Kalamina Gorge (Karijini National Park)
  • Carawine Gorge (Marble Bar)


The Pilbara Map   

Latitude:

-21.607167073390233

Longitude:

121.88495185715507





19 Oct 2016

MORE ABOUT WA

Browse State by State



More Places to Go


xxxxxxxxxxxxx


xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


Cocklebiddy on the Nullarbor
Cocklebiddy on the Nullarbor

Cocklebiddy is situated 64 kilometres east of Caiguna and and 83 kilometres west of Madura, and inland from the Great Australian Bight.

Innovative Women in Australia's History
Innovative Women in Australia's History

Throughout history, women have been overlooked and their accomplishments often went unnoticed.

Flavours of the Fleurieu
Flavours of the Fleurieu

Indulge in some of the best local country produce and a number of wineries offering great wine tasting and cellar door wine tour experiences.

Pet Friendly Holidays
Pet Friendly Holidays

More and more hotels & campsites are becoming pet friendly, including holiday parks and B&Bs, boutique properties and luxury hotels.

How to Avoid Collisions with Wildlife While Driving in Australia
How to Avoid Collisions with Wildlife While Driving in Australia

Tips on how you can avoid collisions with wildlife while driving in Australia

20 facts about the island Australia
20 facts about the island Australia

Australia is unique geographically, historically & in regards to it's environment and resources. Here are 20 interesting facts about the land called Australia.

South Australia - Overview
About South Australia

Located on the Southern Ocean side of Australia is South Australia. Great giants of the seas adhorn the coast, where you can watch Southern Right and Humpbacks Whales play with their young beneath towering cliffs at the Head of Bight.

Update Your Tourism Website
Update Your Tourism Website

One of the most important requirements in running a patronage business, is your image and the accurate information you provide your visitors.

Exploring Western Australia with Free Camping
Exploring Western Australia with Free Camping

Read on for a few tips on where to find some of the best free camping spots in WA!

Menzies
Menzies

Menzies is a historic gold mining town where in 1894, a prospector named Robert Menzies stubbed his toe on the rich gold bearing rocks during the "gold rush".

TOP