Onslow

Onslow, a pleasant tree-shaded town, 1,386km north of Perth, is situated on the coast at Beadon Creek. There is excellent fishing and the beaches offer good, safe swimming. The original town of Onslow was located near the former mouth of the Ashburton River, and was the centre for the pastoral, pearling and mining industries of the area. In 1925-26 the town was moved to its present site on Beadon Bay. Exploration has shown a potential for the development of oil and natural gas resources, especially on the North-West Shelf. Historically, Onslow is the farthest point south in Western Australia to be bombed by the Japanese during WW2.

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Karratha

With near-to-perfect warm winter temperatures, Karratha is a great place to escape the southern cold and soak up the sun in a clean, modern town. Most visitors use Karratha as a base while touring nearby Dampier, Roeboume, Wickham, Cossack and Samson, or as a base for fishing trips, exploring the offshore islands, rock collecting, or enjoying the scenery in the neighbouring hills and gorges.

The view from Queens Lookout on the island will give you a lasting impression of some of the 42 islands that go to make-up the Dampier Archipelago. Visit Deep Gorge, an area rich in Aboriginal Rock engravings.

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Dampier

The town of Dampier was built to service the iron ore mines of Tom Price and Paraburdoo. Dampier is a company town with excellent facilities. The typical North-West tropical weather makes it a popular tourist centre.

Aborigines were well established on the islands and mainland and their large shell middens and magnificent rock art are found throughout the area. The major attractions revolve around the water, with boating, sailing, fishing, diving, windsurfing and swimming, but there are other attractions. The Pilbara Historical Society Museum features historical locomotives and rollingstock from the Pilbara, a large model track and a miniature rail line.

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Roebourne

Situated on North West Coastal Highway, Roebourne is a central base for touring the are to see such places as Cossack, Point Samson, Harding River Dam, Millstream, Python Pool, Karratha, Wittenoom and Tom Price. The many well preserved and restored historic attractions around Roeboume are a must for the history buffs.

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Cossack

The pioneering town of Cossack is nestled at the mouth of the Harding River, 12km from Roeboume. With the cry of "gold" in the 1880's, hundreds of prospectors streamed through the port to seek their fortunes in the Pilbara fields. Today the historic town of Cossack features restored, fine old stone buildings from the past Settlers Beach and Lookout, are a must for beach lovers. A safe, sandy beach ideal for families and for a leisurely stroll. The Lookout gives a beautiful view of the area, Roeboume, Wickham and Point Samson.

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Point Samson

Today, this extremely attractive setting has become the most popular beach resort for the locals from the surrounding mining towns. During spring tides it becomes an island connected to the mainland by a causeway over Pope's Nose Creek. Nearby Honeymoon Cove is a great spot to enjoy a secluded picnic.

The beautiful sandy beach at Point Samson is protected by a coral reef, making it perfect for swimming, game fishing and skindiving. The tidal rivers contain an immense variety of fish, from barramundi to mud crabs. Sam's Creek is also good fishing.

Offshore waters contain some of the best game fishing along the entire West Coast. John's Harbour, located past Honeymoon Cove, has a boat ramp and jetty.

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Wittenoom

In Western Australia, there's a place where time has stood still, where you can visit and experience one of Australia's greatest National Parks.
You will never be able to describe the views, so take your camera wherever you go.

Experience the park called Karijini, central part of the Hamersley Range.
It is nature at its best, untouched, undisturbed, quiet and peaceful.

Swim in cool, clear rock pools bounded by majestic cliffs, marvel at the unique vegetation and birdlife, seek out the rare pebble-mound mouse.

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Whim Creek

The Whim Creek Hotel was built in 1887. The building itself, a steel-framed, timber and iron, two-storey structure, was prefabricated in England and transported by ship to the old port of Balla Balla All the roofing and wall timbers were cut to size and numbered for ease of construction, and the beautiful pinewood remains in excellent condition today. Despite suffering damage from cyclones over the years, the building is still solid and renovations have retained the character and atmosphere of its 106 years There are caravan and camping sites at the and Balla Balla beach is only 5 kilometres away. Whim Creek became the start line for the famous "Black Rock Stakes" in 1996. To be held on June 28, 1997. Teams push wheelbarrows of iron ore to Port Hedland 120 kilometres away.

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Port Hedland

Few would have imagined that the initial tiny settlement would have grown into one of the largest and busiest mineral ports in the world. A one day trip can take you through the full scope of Port Hedland's amazing development - from the modem day technology of BHP, back in time to the town's beginnings.

The BHP Iron Ore Tour will enable you to see, at close hand, the enormous machinery and modem technology required to run this modem industrial giant. You will also hear some of the incredible statistics associated with Australia's longest private railway.

Port Hedland was discovered in 1829 but it was not until 1864 that the Pilbara's first sheep station was set up on the nearby De Grey River. By 1870 the town was home port to 150 pearling luggers and the port was used by them and other vessels to export wool and pearls to international markets.

The early 1960's saw a massive population explosion when Port Hedland became the export port for the for the iron ore mined at nearby Newman, Shay Gap and Goldsworthy to international markets.

Port Hedland, with the local salt processing works exporting one million tonnes a year, makes it in terms of tonnage as the nation's busiest port. Ironically, sheep farming proved unprofitable due to the constant heat and the pearls have been fished out, leaving the town without either industry that it was founded on.

Port Hedland has a daily air service from Perth and Darwin and an international airport, while companies have regular services to the town.

There are several hotels and motels in Hedland and nearby South Hedland, along with caravan parks and guest houses. There is a good selection of cafes, restaurants and takeaways as well as counter meals at the hotels to choose from.

The massive stockpile of iron ore from the hinterland waiting for shipment is an imposing sight as is the huge pile of salt midway between Port Hedland and South Hedland.

Great fishing can be enjoyed near town at Point Cooke and the town harbour.

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Pardoo Station

Located 150kin north of Port Hediand on Great Northern Highway, Pardoo Roadhouse is a welcome stopping point on the long drive between Port Hedland and Broome. Cape Keraudren, 9km to the north, marks the southern end of Eighty Mile Beach and offers beautiful scenery and good fishing. The roadhouse is well equipped with a caravan park and motel. The Homestead and surrounding buildings offer a step back into time into life with the modem conveniences of today. The biggest attractions at Pardoo Station are the wildflowers and the excellent fishing from the tidal creeks and ocean.

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Marble Bar

Marble Bar is known as the hottest town in Australia. 6km from the town, on the Coongan River, is the "Bar" itself. Originally thought to be marble, this large deposit is actually jasper. Make sure you splash some water across the stone to fully reveal its beauty. Flying Fox Lookout which magnificent views overlooking the Coongan River and surrounding hills. It is particularly spectacular when the river is running. No visit to Marble Bar is complete without a visit to the Iron Clad Hotel. The original town hotel, it offers incomparable atmosphere and will leave you wishing that the corrugated cladding of the walls could speak!

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Nullagine

With the discovery of gold in 1888, later diamond and gem stones, Nullagine is home to many gold miners and prospectors. Visit and enjoy the wonders and colours of this unique area, rich in minerals, with its abundance of rock holes, winter wildfiowers, wildlife, rolling red granite hills and gorges. This unspoiled area is a must to the traveller seeking true four wheel drive adventure and wilderness off-the-beaten-track. Visit the famous Carawine Gorge. Perhaps stay closer to town and take a walk through the ancient rocks of majestic "Beaton Gorge".Or rediscover a copper or gold mine in the district!

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Newman

Newman takes its name from Mt Newman, a peak 1053 metres above sea level Mt Whaleback is now the largest single open-cut Iron Ore Mine in the world. Newman is a modem town with a population of approximately 4,500. Take in the vast rugged surroundings from Radio Hill Lookout and the peak of Mt Newman or experience the beautiful sunsets over the Ophthalmia Dam, a large expanse of red water. Barbecue facilities at the Dam make this an excellent picnic spot. Explore the natural beauty of natural waterholes, ancient Aboriginal art sites and an abundance of flora and fauna.

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Tom Price

The proximity of the town to the spectacular Hamersley Range and an opportunity to view the open cut mining operation make the town a popular stopping point. Take a drive out to Hamersley Gorge or do a half-day tour of Mt. Sheila and Hamersley Gorge, take a trip up Mt. Nameless and can enjoy magnificent views from the summit. Use Tom Price as a base while visiting the breath taking Karijini National Park.

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Paraburdoo

Paraburdoo was derived from the Aboriginal name "Piru-Pardu" which literally means 'meat feathers'. Aboriginals used this name because of the abundance of white cockatoos in the area. Iron ore is the local industry. The ore is mined by Hamersley Iron Pty Ltd and is transported by rail to the company's port at Dampier. From there it is shipped to Europe, Japan, China and other Asian countries. The 79km drive from Paraburdoo to Tom Price is one of the most scenic in the Pilbara.

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