Located approximately 1,535 kilometres north of Perth lies the mining town Karratha. The Aboriginal meaning of the word Karratha means “good country”. Mainly known for its iron ore industry, Karratha boasts a major airport and the largest shopping centre in the north west.

Karratha caters for tourists on any budget and Karratha Accommodations range from Bed & Breakfast accommodation, Backpacker accommodation, Hotels / Motel accommodation, Caravan Park, Self contained / holiday house accommodation and resort accommodations.

Karratha is a place of beauty with plenty of attractions in and around to make a holiday here enjoyable for all. Being a major tourism and mining centre in WA Karratha is a great base camp while exploring the region. Attractions and activities include swimming, fishing and snorkelling. Explore Dampier Port, North West Shelf Project Visitors Centre and boat tours of the Islands of Dampier Archipelago, thousands of Aboriginal Rock Engravings at Burrup Peninsula, Jaburara Heritage trail and Millstream in Chichester National Park, Jarman Island lighthouse and Point Sampson for fishing.

The attractions of Karratha will exhillerate nature lovers, excite adventure seekers and inspire visitors with its history.

Head inland and explore the stunning gorges of Karijini and Millstream-Chichester national parks. Go a little further and explore one ofthe many pristine islands and beaches of the Dampier Archipelago. Be amazed at Australia’s oldest examples of Aboriginal rock art, located on the Burrup Peninsula or visit Roebourne Old Gaol and take a journey back in time to the wild pioneering days. You can also experience the incredible Staircase to the Moon phenomenon which is a must.

Karratha’s economy is principally built on offshore gas supplies and iron ore deposits. Karratha is one of the gateways for the many adventure tours and experiences available in the surrounding region. Millstream Chichester and Karijini National Parks, The Dampier Archipelago and the Burrup Peninsula are all close by.

Burrup Peninsula is known as the world’s most prolific Aboriginal rock engraving site with over 10,000 Aboriginal art sites. Light aircraft, boat and fishing charters are all available from the town. When combined with industry based attractions such as the local iron ore, salt mining and export operations, together with the North West Shelf Natural Gas Project, Australia’s largest natural resource development, Karratha provides a perfect base to to experience some of the most stunning natural and man made attractions around.

History of Karratha Western Australia

In the language of local Aborigines Karratha means good country. With spinifex carpeted hills, Karratha and its creeks are lined with beautiful white-barked coolabahs trees. Close by are peaceful rock pools and beautiful picnic spots where you can lunch besides the layers of rock caused by ancient geological forces.

The Karratha area was first settled as a result of F. W. Gregory’s glowing reports about the pastoral potential of the Pilbara. In 1866 Dr Baynton and Harry Whittal-Venn established Karratha Station.

The original project location could no longer house the workers, buildings and equipment needed for the massive Hamersley Iron mining project that extracted iron-ore from the nearby Hamersley Ranges. And so, in 1968 on Nickel Bay, Karratha was born as a joint State Government-Hamersley Iron development.

The huge North West Shelf Project has also been vital to Karrathas livelihood, drilling into rich natural gas reserves off the coast behind the islands of the Dampier Archipelago. These and other local companies using Karrathas wealth of natural resources have invested in the town and it has easily out-grown its company town status.