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...

Neil Baker Shell Collection

Shells galore

This extraordinary shell collection is one of the largest in Australia. Collected over the last 70 years by fisherman and boat builder Neil Baker, the shells come from all over Australia and the...

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...

Wangka Maya Aboriginal Language Centre

Keeping language strong

Servicing over 30 language groups of the Pilbara, Wangka Maya was the first Aboriginal language centre in the north. Established in 1987, elders committed to preserving their language, culture and...

Nyamba Buru Yawuru

This is the place of Yawuru

Representing the Yawuru people, the traditional owners of the country around Broome, Nyamba Buru Yawuru (NBY) is committed to a vision of mabu liyan, mabu buru, mabu ngarrangunil – Good liyan, (well...

City of Karratha Art Collection

Pilbara artists and much more

Located in the Red Earth Arts Precinct a state-of-the-art performance and art centre that was built in 2018, the City of Karratha’s impressive art collection comprises many of the acquisitive prize...

Shire of Broome Library Collection Overview

Shire of Broome Library - local studies collection

Broome community reflected

Broome Library is the community hub of Broome where you can find about what is going on in town. Providing a cool haven for passing visitors and the local community, with around 12,000 borrowers, the...

Argyle Homestead Museum

Kings in Grass Castles

Stone by stone, the Argyle Homestead was moved from its original site,now under the waters of the ‘top dam’ on the Ord River, to its current home on the edge of Lake Argyle. It was the former home of...