Adventure
Holidays in Western Australia
Western Australia Tourism & Accommodation
Guide
Pilbara Region
The Pilbara is the heart of Western Australia's huge iron ore mining industry. A fascinating and varied region reaching from the western coast to the remote interior of Australia.
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.
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.
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.
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!
With the discovery of gold in 1888, later diamonds 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!
Spectacular mountains, plateaux, awesome 100 metre deep
chasms. Put all this together and you have got some of the best views
you'll ever experience - all are in the Hamersley Range National Park.
Perhaps the best view is from Oxer's Lookout. From here
you have a truly grand view of the junction of Weano, Red, Hancock
and Joffre Gorges and the ties of multi-coloured bonded rock towering
over a clear water pool. This is the stuff the TV nature programmes
are made of.
If you visit Karijini National Park, you shouldn't miss impressive Mount Bruce, known by the Aboriginal people as Punurrunha and the second tallest peak in Western Australia.
The challenging trek around the western face of the mountain offers splendid views of the surrounding countryside. The view from the summit is sensational, but the 9.5 kilometre hike to the top is not for the faint-hearted.
It's worth a stop, even if you don't want to tackle the mountain. A short walk from the carpark leads you to a viewing platform of the Marandoo Mine (in operation since 1992). The 4.6 km Honey Hakea track brings you roughly half way up the trail. If you don't wish to climb any further, take in the great views before returning. Six information boards along the entire track provide information about the changing vegetation and animal life in the area.
The walk can be difficult for some people. Correct footwear and adequate water supplies are essential. During the summer months it is best to climb the mountain in the cooler morning air.
Pay close attention to the markers on the way down to avoid straying from the correct path.
Click here for photos of Mt Bruce
Towns Accommodation Activities and Tours Photo Gallery
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The mining town of Tom Price with the rail line curving
in on the left
