Aboriginal for Good Country, Karratha is a modern town established in the late 1960's to support the Pilbara's vast mineralwealth. With the added discovery of off-shore gas reserves, Karrathaquickly developed into the main commercial centre of the region, and now boasts the most comprehensive range of facilities (including the largest shopping centre outside of Perth) to be found in state's north-west. The town's most noteworthy attraction is the 3.5 kilometre Jaburara Heritage Trail, which begins just by the tourist bureau. The country around Karratha is littered with ancient relics of Aboriginal occupation, and middens, grindstones and rock carvings can all be viewed along the trail.
Karratha not only makes a welcome stopover for those travelling thelargely uninhabited North West Coastal Highway, it also provides theperfect base for pending explorations into the nearby Millstream-Chichester National Park. This spectacular 2000 square kilometre parkis a lush green oasis in the centre of thousands of acres of dusty and spinifex covered desert hills. The parks numerous freshwater poolsare laden with water lilies and surrounded by various species of palmsand ferns, perfectly reflecting the timeless image that the word oasis usually conjures in one's imagination. Ideal for a cooling swim,the pools also refresh the adjoining expansive wetlands, which are home to a diverse range of water birds and other wildlife.
Millsteam-Chichester National Park lies under 200 kilometres south-eastof Karratha, via a well kept dirt road. There are several basic but pleasant camping grounds within the park, linked by a small network of four wheel drive and bush walking tracks. If you don't have the gear, tours operate out of Karratha, as well as it's satellite towns ofDampier and Roebourne.
Dampier is a model town with modern facilities on King Bay. Thedeep waters around the bay have become the main port for many of the mining operations in the Kimberly, as well as the natural gas fieldsoff-shore. Although it's an impressive set-up, of greater interest is the nearby Burrup Peninsula. The Burrup was once the seaside home to a flourishing Aboriginal community which have left an amazing legacy of some 10 000 rock engravings. The pristine beaches along the peninsula offersafe and secluded swimming.
Dampier's other notable natural attraction is the fishing and diving mecca of the Dampier Archipelago. The town overlooks a bizarre gatheringof 42 unique islands, each one fringed by colourful coral reefs, marinelife and a littering of shipwrecks.
Back on the North West Coastal Highway 32 kilometres past Karratha,Roebourne is the oldest prevailing town in the Pilbara andonce capital of the north-west. A shadow of it's former self, the town's early prosperity is showcased in the museums and displays housedin the fine old buildings which still remain. History buffs will alsoappreciate the surrounding settlements of Cossack, Point Samson, and Whim Creek.
