Dampier
Dampier was built to accommodate employees and their families by Hamersley Iron in the 1960’s. The town of Dampier takes its name from the Dampier Archipelago which was named after the English buccaneer/explorer William Dampier who first visited the area in 1688. The first specimen of the distinctive, Sturt’s Desert Pea (Willdampia Formosa), was collected by William Dampier on East Lewis Island, in the Dampier Archipelago.
The Dampier Archipelago comprises of 42 islands, islets and rocks lying within a 45km radius from the towns of Dampier and Point Samson. Many of the islands resemble the rugged Burrup Peninsula, with coastal cliffs and red rock piles, dissected from the blue waters by green mangroves and white sandy beaches, ideal for swimming and snorkelling or just lazing the day away.
Dampier Experiences
- You can’t miss the memorial to ‘Red Dog’ on the way into town, stop and read a remarkable story.
- Grab a permit from the Karratha Visitor Centre and head over to Tidepole Island, or better known as ‘Sam’s Island’ to see the fort he built by hand.
- Picnic with friends under the palms watching another magic Pilbara sunset.
- Join the Pilbara Iron Port facility tour and learn about crushing, stockpiling and the loading of the iron ore after travelling from the inland.
- Jump aboard a local charter boat and explore the marine wonderland that is the Dampier Archipelago.
- Discover more at the Karratha Visitor Centre.
