What is the Pilbara you may ask? Well it is many things to many, depending on your position/view on matters. In brief it can be described as this:-
Encompassing 507
, 896 square kilometres from the North West coastline to
the border of the Northern Territory, the
Pilbara is one of the largest regions
in WA. It is thought to be 3.4 billion years old and is often described as the
nation’s powerhouse due to the abundance of natural resources.
The region can be separated into three distinct geographical formations, a
vast coastal plain, breathtaking inland ranges and an arid desert region
extending into Australia's dry centre. Offshore, natural gas is not the only
thing to find. The Dampier Archipelago boasts pristine reefs dotted with
virtually untouched islands providing a snapshot into the region’s environmental
past.
The region is divided into four
Local Government Authorities
- Shire of Ashburton, Shire of Roebourne, the Town of Port Hedland and Shire of
East Pilbara.The major towns of the Pilbara include Port Hedland, South Hedland,
Karratha, Onslow, Newman, Tom Price and Marble bar. A significant number of
Indigenous communities are also present in the Pilbara, along with historic
towns such as Cossack and pastorial stations and localities which date back to
an early pastoral and pearling era.
The Pilbara is home to three national parks. Millstream-Chichester,
Karlamilyi (Ruddell River) and Karijini National Parks would have to be three of
the best-kept secrets of Australia. The Pilbara contains some of the oldest rock
in the world - including the oldest known fossilised stromatalites estimated to
be 3.45 billion years old.
The Pilbara is best known for its economic contribution to Australia. In 2010
the Pilbara produced 53% of WA's mineral and petroleum production, representing
$71.7b. Key
industries in the Pilbara
are mining, construction and export, with two of Australia's largest ports by
tonnage located at Dampier and Port Hedland.
