Facts and figures
Located in the north of WA, the Pilbara covers 507 896 square kilometres
(315 591 miles) of unique and breathtaking natural landscape.
With its oil, gas and mining industry, this region accounts for 30% of all resources in Australia. Its economy is also boosted by construction, agriculture, livestock, manufacturing, retail and fishing and Karratha is just a two hour flight from Perth.
Population: 66 000
Distance from Karratha to Perth: 1 557 km (967 miles)
Median house price in Port Hedland: $550 000 (June 2016)
Higher education: North Regional TAFE with campuses in Broome, Derby, Karratha, Kununurra, Newman and Wyndham
Health services in Karratha: Nickol Bay Hospital (with resident and visiting specialists); Karratha Medical Centre
Other main towns: Newman, South Hedland
The centre of Australia’s mining and oil and gas industries and rich in natural resources – predominantly iron ore – the Pilbara is the mining powerhouse of WA and critical to Australia’s economy. It is full of contrasts and surprises with spectacular gorges, ravines, waterfalls and vast red deserts.
With the Indian Ocean to the northwest and the Great Sandy Desert extending to the Northern Territory in the east, the diverse landscape within the Pilbara region offers a variety of lifestyles.
The major Pilbara towns of Karratha and Port Hedland have grown significantly in the past 10 years, with considerable investment in new shopping centres, hospitals, schools, and sports and recreational facilities – transforming the towns into modern hubs for the region.
Two major airports connect the region to Perth and other Australian cities with direct flights between Port Hedland and the tourist hotspot of Bali.
