Western Australia Pilbarra - tours - accommodation - travel |
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A vast area of very inhospitable country where the only development of any note is along the coastal fringe.
Despite the extremely harsh environment there is surprising beauty here. Sundown across the Pilbara is when the red ridges turn soft purple and the white gums along the gullies and the spinifex clumps seem to glow in the fading light.
Dampier & Karratha - the ship loading facility for the ore transported from the Hammersley Iron mines at Mt Tom Price, Parraburdoo and Marandoo is at Dampier . Natural gas from the North West Shelf is pumped ashore here. There is also a salt works operation. Nearby Burrup Peninsula is home to extensive Aboriginal rock art and the Dampier Archipeligo is a reknowned fishing area. Karratha is 20km away and is the the commercial centre of the area. For information about the Aboriginal occupation of the area, take the Jaburara Heritage Trail.
Port Hedland - originally a grazing centre, then home to a pearling fleet and now a ship loading facility for iron ore. Port Hedland is a centre for whale watching tours in season when the marine giants move along the coastline. Wittenoom - once an asbestos mining centre and now a ghost town. Attracts visitors due to the nearby beautiful Hammersley Range National Park. Be aware that asbestos fibres still exist in the area. Marble Bar - the hottest place in Australia. The gold mines have survived and still operate in the area. Marble Bar is a popular destination for wildflowers in late winter when the temperature is acceptable. |
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Dampier - Karratha - Roebourne - Port Hedland - Hammersley Range National Park - Marble Bar |
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