Located in the Pilbara district in the northwest, Karratha is 1,535 km north of Perth and 850 km south of Broom, on the North West Coastal Highway.

The town site of Karratha derives its name from the pastoral station from which the land was resumed to create the town site. It was gazetted in 1969, and was developed by the government to provide land for the community supporting the Pilbara iron ore industry established in the region in the 1960s.

Karratha in the local Aboriginal language means ‘good country’ or ‘soft earth’.
 

With its year round summer, Karratha offers a number of recreational activities such as fishing and snorkelling around the nearby islands of the Dampier Archipelago. The country town also makes for a perfect base to explore the nearby Millstream-Chichester National Park with its hidden pools, beautiful vegetation and interesting links to times gone by.

Source: Landgate - History of country town names - K

For up-to-date accommodation, attraction, tours and other information contact: