North West

Spectacular Natural Landscapes, Fascinating Human Stories

Welcome to the home of red dirt, endless skies, rich history, and misnamed towns (it is jasper you’ll find in Marble Bar, not smooth white stone). Life this far north was like nowhere else on Earth, with a hitch-hiking dog, headdresses made of bark, and – curiously – Britain’s first atomic weapon.

A bizarre atmosphere to fathom, but a normal day for those who lived here. A group of people that included drovers, pearlers, cameleers, and members of a near 50-piece, classical, Aboriginal orchestra at the Derby leprosarium.

Ready to dive in and learn their stories?

If you are looking for more information about all the Kimberley Aboriginal art centres, have a look at this map, drs art trail map, to get you started.

Cygnet Bay Pearls

Growing pearls

More than a ‘pearl shop’, Cygnet Bay Pearls reveals the history of pearling in Broome and the mysteries of how pearls are made. With films, impressive displays and live tours, visitors are taken step...

Comet Gold Mine and Tourist Centre

Plenty of gold still here

Gold fever hit Marble Bar in the 1890s but the rocky hills and alluvial creeks hold much more that gold. Situated 9 kilometres from Marble Bar, adjacent to the old Comet gold mine, this gem of a...

Martumili Artists

Art of the Eastern Pilbara

Martumili is the home of western desert artists – a vibrant hub for Martu artists from six remote desert communities scattered across the Western, Great Sandy, Sandy and Gibson deserts. These artists...

Town of Port Hedland - South Hedland Public Library Overview

South Hedland Library - local studies collection

A community space – a space for community

A young girl, cast in bronze, sitting on a wooden bench reading her book, welcomes visitors to the South Hedland library. In the ‘new’ town of South Hedland, the library quietly weaves together the...

Shire of Broome Library - local studies collection

Broome community reflected

Broome Library is the community hub of Broome where you can find out what is going on in town and browse 27,000 items to loan. Providing a cool haven for passing visitors and the local community, with...

Ganalili Centre and Juluwarlu Aboriginal Corporation

Ganalili - A Place of New Beginnings

Ganalili is the Yindjibarndi word for the light in the morning before the rising of the sun. Living up to its name of new beginnings, the centre is set in Roebourne’s old Victoria Hotel, a site of...

Warmun Art Centre

Ochre and rust

Ochres of black, red and mustard yellow, mixed with greys and whites are the hallmarks of the very distinctive style of the Warmun community artists. One of the early engine rooms for the contemporary...

Wharfinger House Museum

Muddy waters

Situated on the edge of the Derby marsh, surrounded by the iconic boab trees of this region, stands the Wharfinger House Museum. Built in the 1920s, it is situated in the former home of the manager of...