City of Karratha Local History Archives Overview

City of Karratha Local History Archives

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Karratha's local history

Located in the stunning Red Earth Arts Precinct built in 2018 that incorporates a public library, a dual-purpose theatre/cinema,rehearsal spaces and exhibition areas, the City of Karratha Local History Archives documents the history of the towns of Karratha, Dampier, Wickham, Roebourne, Point Samson, and Cossack. It follows the transformation of the region through the pastoral, pearling and mining booms. Despite its relative youth (Karratha was only established as a town in 1996 by Hamersley Iron), this rich collection of photographs, documents and files, well-provenanced and catalogued, is a stand-out , and is accessible for all who are interested in the region’s history. The local history staff provide a research and reference service for this history and will assist with family history enquiries.

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View Collection at Collections WA

Address:

Red Earth Arts Precinct
27 Welcome Road
Karratha WA 6714
Australia

Tel:

(08) 9186 8660

Email:

local.history@karratha.wa.gov.au

Opening Hours

Mon, Wed & Friday 9am - 5pm; Tues & Thurs 9am - 6pm; Sat 9am - 2pm

Red Dog file

A loyal friend

It is not only people that have made this region famous. The enigmatic Red Dog, now the subject of Louis de Bernières' book and a subsequent feature film, claimed his place in history as he hitchhiked...

Karratha Station Silk Jockey Shirt

Race day

Since the first towns were established in the north, social life has revolved around the annual races, with their associated balls, corral events and a multitude of other social gatherings. People...

Asian dolls

Cultural gifts

For a time, it became a tradition of Asian shipping companies to gift dolls and other traditionals terms to Australian resource industry executives and their spouses. In a climate of regular...

Shire of Derby, West Kimberley Library Overview

Shire of Derby / West Kimberley Library - local studies collection

Muddy Waters

Named after the Earl of Derby, the town has a rich colonial history as the first regional and administrative centre, supporting the sheep and cattle stations of the west Kimberley. Keeper of this...

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...

Broome Bird Observatory

Shorebird capital of Australia

The BBO is a veritable twitcher’s paradise on beautiful Roebuck Bay, where up to 120,000 shorebirds gather every year. Once you have arrived, the first port of call is the Clive Minton Discovery...

Waringarri Aboriginal Arts

One big mob altogether so that our grandchildren’s, children’s children will know their culture.

The artists say, ‘This place - it’s a good art centre!’ And it is. In the heart of Miriwoong country the Centre is focused on maintaining and passing on culture through dance, story and painting to...