The heart of the stunning Pilbara region of Western Australia is renowned for its rich mineral deposits - but Karratha is more than just another mining town. Tucked between the Great Sandy Desert and the sparkling Indian Ocean, and gateway to the coastal wonderland of the Dampier Archipelago, Karratha is surrounded by spectacular natural beauty, from secret coves to spinifex plains. Here’s our round-up of the best things to see and do in Karratha. 

Another option for sweeping views of Karratha and the surrounding landscape is the nearby TV Hill Lookout, also known as Water Tank Hill. Easily accessible, you can drive up to the summit on a sealed road and be rewarded with 360-degree views that take in the shimmering plains, nearby salt flats, and the azure blue of the Indian Ocean beyond. It’s a popular spot at sunrise and sunset, where you can witness the dramatic colours of the Pilbara shift and soften throughout the day. 

Red Earth Arts Precinct 

Cool off in air-conditioned comfort at the Red Earth Arts Precinct (REAP), Karratha’s cultural and community hub in town. Architecturally designed to reflect the surrounding Pilbara landscape, REAP is the region’s premier arts facility, featuring work by Pilbara artists, including Aboriginal creatives, and houses a cinema, gallery, performing arts theatre, and community spaces. Catch regular live performances, workshops, and events, including the latest big-screen movies, and the annual Red Earth Arts Festival held over four days in May. 

Karratha’s warm and sunny climate means perfect beach weather, and you’ll find a beautiful, sheltered cove 25 minutes north of Karratha on the Burrup Peninsula. The calm, shallow waters of Hearson’s Cove are ideal for swimming and stand-up paddleboarding all year round, and at low tide, you can walk out on the mud flats for several hundred metres, keeping an eye out for marine turtles. The cove is a popular picnicking and fishing spot too, with prized Coral Trout, Scarlet Sea Perch, and Norwest Snapper often caught here.

Yaburara Heritage Trail

Explore Karratha’s natural history and cultural heritage on the Yaburara Heritage Trail. A protected Aboriginal site, the rocky spinifex-covered hills are significant to the Ngarluma people, the Traditional Owners and the neighbouring Yaburara people. The heritage trail is a 3.5 km grade 4 loop that winds through the hills above the town with some steep climbs. 

Along the way, you’ll find ancient petroglyphs or Indigenous engravings in the rock surfaces, and wildlife native to the region, like the Euro, a small kangaroo adapted to living in arid areas. The trail can be challenging during the hotter months, so aim for early morning or late afternoon. Enjoy panoramic views over Karratha and Nickol Bay from the Yaburara Heritage Trail lookout. 

Hearson’s Cove is also one of the best places to witness a captivating event that occurs along the Kimberly and Pilbara coastline. The Staircase to the Moon is one of the most magical natural phenomena in Australia, and can only be seen in Western Australia. As the full moon rises over the exposed mud flats at low tide, the moonlit reflection creates an optical illusion of a shining staircase reaching up to the starry sky above. 

You can witness the Staircase to the Moon two to three nights a month from March to October, with the waxing and waning of the full moon. The wide and expansive tidal flats at Hearson’s Cove make it one of Pilbara’s best vantage points for the phenomenon.

The Dampier Archipelago

Karratha is located on the edge of one of the region’s most spectacular secrets. A collection of 42 pristine islands and islets, the Dampier Archipelago is a marine paradise of coral reefs, sponge gardens, and white, sandy beaches. Spend a magical day snorkelling and diving the turquoise waters and discover a colourful underwater world teeming with tropical fish, turtles and sting rays. 

Take a guided jetski or kayak tour, or hop aboard a chartered boat to explore the islands and secret coves. Dugongs and dolphins are often seen too, or you might be lucky enough to spot humpback whales during their migration season. Many of the islands are nature reserves, but camping is permitted on a select few for up to five days.

Rising from the spinifex plains, the rugged hills and ranges of the Millstream Chichester National Park hide an oasis of tropical palms, deep gorges and natural spring-fed water holes. A two-hour drive south of Karratha, the national park makes for a spectacular day trip, or you can stay overnight in one of the well-maintained public camping spots equipped with bush toilets and gas barbecues.

Visit the pastoral station, Millstream Homestead, built in 1919, which was once a tavern and is now the Millstream Visitor Centre. Explore the Wetland Walk to learn about the area’s natural and cultural history, or follow the longer Warrungunha Trail that winds through paperbark forest and over spinifex grasslands for 8 km to the Cliff Lookout.

For a taste of Italy in the heart of the Pilbara, Luce Bar e Cibo offers an authentic Italian alfresco experience and is one of the top restaurants in Karratha. Located poolside at the Karratha International Hotel, Luce Bar e Cibo is Karratha’s answer to Italian-style bistro dining, serving up seasonal dishes using fresh local ingredients. Enjoy a classic apertivo by the pool and graze on some tasty plates to share.

North West Brewing Company

Karratha’s first and only craft brewery is a local favourite in the town’s industrial area, with a laid-back, welcoming vibe. Open daily until late, North West Brewing Company serves up a range of delicious craft beers brewed on site, paired with hearty pub-style meals like burgers, tacos, and woodfired pizzas. Try a sample paddle and taste their signature brews, and enjoy regular live music in the beer garden with a relaxed, community feel.

Lo’s Cafe 

Another much-loved local favourite, Lo’s Cafe is the ideal spot for a satisfying breakfast or lunch. Fusing Aussie brunch with Asian-inspired flair, this cafe serves up creative classics like pork belly eggs benedict, sweet potato waffles with fried chicken, and coconut pancakes. The excellent coffee and warm, welcoming service are the cherry on top, making it the perfect place to start your day.

Where to stay

You’ll find accommodation options to suit different budgets and tastes in Karratha. A few minutes from the town centre and close to Hearson’s Cove, Comfort Inn & Suites Karratha is a charming and comfortable base. For a stay in the town, Econo Lodge Karratha also offers easy access to surrounding attractions and things to do in Karratha WA.

_{Header Image Credit: Tourism Western Australia.}