9 UNIQUE PLACES IN THE PILBARA YOU HAVE TO VISIT
WE'VE UNEARTHED THE HIDDEN GEMS FOR YOU
From the North Pole to ghost towns, thriving coral reefs and boot-growing trees, the Pilbara will surprise you with its awesome natural beauty and fascinating history.
1. TROPICAL ISLAND STAYS.
Located a 20-minute boat trip from Onslow, nestled amongst reefs and the Indian ocean, lies Thevenard Island. It’s home to charming beach shacks, sandy beaches and thriving reefs to snorkel. Journey across via ferry transfer and enjoy a few nights in paradise in your own self-contained beachfront cabins.
Hire some kayaks, fishing rods, or a snorkel and venture into the water teeming with marine life. Or better yet, relax in the hammock with a good book. Either way, island life will have you moving slow and feeling oh so good about it! To find out more and book, head to the Mackerel Islands website.
2. PYTHON POOL.
Refresh yourself in the cool waters of stunning Python Pool. This rock pool is found within Millstream National Park, situated just over an hour from Roebourne or 1.5hrs from Karratha. Take a picnic lunch and enjoy marvelling at the spectacular backdrop of the rugged ochre cliffs. Python Pool is easily accessible by road, via the Roebourne-Wittenoom Road within the park, and a walking trail.
3. INVISIBLE AIR BASE.
If you’re a history buff you might know that there was an airbase built in the Pilbara during WW2. What made it invisible you ask? Well the natural heat haze and camouflage over buildings worked to make the infrastructure invisible to the naked eye. Nowadays the airfield is non-operational but this unique attraction is definitely worth incorporating into your itinerary. The secret airfield operated at the original site of the Corunna Downs homestead from 1943-1945. Two runways were constructed with a combined total of 3.5km of bitumen though all that remains today are crumbling foundations and runways. You’ll find it 39 km south of Marble Bar, approximately a 1 hour drive.
4. MURUJUGA ROCK ART.
Murujuga National Park covers an area of 4,913ha and is located on the Burrup Peninsula near Dampier. The area is considered to host the largest concentration of ancient rock art in the world, possibly dating back more than 30,000 years. Also known as ‘petroglyphs’ these art works are a must-see if you want to truly appreciate Aboriginal culture. The petroglyphs depict human figures, birds, marine wildlife and extinct creatures; all of which give us an insight into the ancient life and times of the people that roamed the land all those years ago. The best way to experience Murujuga’s rock art is to join a guided tour with a local, we suggest Ngurrangga Tours.
5. FERN POOL.
Fern Pool is one of the most accessible and picturesque swimming spots in Mother Nature’s ultimate adventure park – Karijini National Park. One of the incredible attractions of Dales Gorge, these cooling waters are fed by a natural spring and framed on all sides by lush green ferns, with a cascading waterfall completing the serenely beautiful setting. Please be mindful that Fern Pool is a sacred place for local Indigenous people, who ask that visitors treat the area with respect.
6. NORTH POLE.
The Pilbara’s North Pole is found west of Marble Bar and is the location of rock formations considered to have evidence that puts the origin of life on Earth back to 3.4–3.5 billion years ago. So why is it called ‘North Pole’? If you travelled back 800,000 years the magnetic North Pole would have been located here. It doesn’t get much more unique than that!
7. COSSACK (GHOST TOWN).
The Pilbara’s ghost town of Cossack was Australia’s original pearling town back in the 1800s before the fleet moved north to Broome; the town was dissolved in 1910 before it was abandoned by 1950. The immaculately restored bluestone buildings offer a rare insight into the area’s past, however, Cossack is now coming back to life. Hosting Australia’s richest regional art awards each year, a fantastic coffee shop and short stay accommodation, why not check it out while you’re in the area?
8. PANNAWONIC BOOT TREE.
The boot tree in Pannawonica brings new meaning to ‘hanging up your boots’. This old snappy gum tree has been slung with hundreds of steel-capped boots by mining contractors who have left town, which is somewhat of a tradition now. While it is a ‘closed town’ day visitors are still welcome to visit and stop to look around. Facilities include a post office, supermarket and pub.
9. MARBLE BAR POOL.
What better way to enjoy Australia’s hottest town than to have a dip in a marble pool? Sounds fancy huh? Well, Marble Bar Pool gets its name from what was thought to be a colourful ‘marble bar’ that crosses the Coongan River, however the ‘marble’ was later identified as jasper. As the temperature cools in the winter months this pool is a popular spot for a swim, as is the adjacent Chinaman’s Pool.
Pack a picnic and soak it in, this is the Epic Pilbara.
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