Endless Summer Adventures in Australia's North West
It's the perfect season to explore this spectacular region, where every stop offers a new cultural discovery, a breathtaking natural wonder, or a piece of history waiting to be uncovered.
Whether you’re weaving your way through the Pilbara or making your way to the Kimberley, here’s our pick of the most fascinating cultural centres, museums, and natural gems to discover along the way.
Karijini Visitors Centre – Karijini National Park
Karijini’s ancient gorges, plunging waterfalls, and turquoise swimming holes are legendary, but the Karijini Visitors Centre is a destination in itself. Shaped like a goanna moving through the landscape, the centre reveals the park’s geological wonders and shares the ancient Dreamtime stories of its Traditional Owners.
Must-see: The storytelling exhibits that connect Karijini’s stunning natural features with their deep cultural meaning.
Wangka Maya Aboriginal Language Centre – South Hedland
In South Hedland, explore the Wangka Maya Aboriginal Language Centre, the first Aboriginal language centre established in the North West. Dedicated to preserving over 30 Aboriginal languages, this centre is a powerful tribute to the voices and histories of the Pilbara.
Must-see: Multimedia exhibitions where you can hear stories in the region’s diverse and ancient languages.
Goodshed Museum and Onslow Visitor Centre – Onslow
In Onslow, where red earth meets the Indian Ocean, visit the Goodshed Museum to explore tales of resilience, wartime history, and cyclone survival. Onslow also offers some of the region’s most dramatic coastal scenery – perfect for sunset wanderings.
Must-see: Walk the heritage trail to the old jetty for breathtaking views as the sun dips into the ocean.
City of Karratha Art Collection – Karratha
In Karratha, art, culture, and nature collide. Visit the City of Karratha Art Collection at the striking Red Earth Arts Precinct, where vibrant artworks reflect the Pilbara’s rugged beauty.
Must-see: Pieces that capture the wild coastline, red deserts, and vast open skies of this extraordinary region.
Bonus stop: Just outside town, explore Murujuga National Park and its remarkable collection of ancient Aboriginal rock art dating back over 40,000 years.
Ganalili Centre and Juluwarlu Aboriginal Corporation – Roebourne
Roebourne is undergoing a cultural renaissance, and the Ganalili Centre stands proudly at its heart. Housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century hotel, the centre brings Yindjibarndi stories and histories to life.
Must-see: Step into the immersive storytelling room and listen to local voices sharing powerful tales of identity and resilience.
Nyamba Buru Yawuru – Broome
In Broome, connect with the custodians of Country at Nyamba Buru Yawuru. This dynamic organisation shares the philosophy of "Liyan" – a deep sense of wellbeing connected to community and land. Using the Storylines database, the team have begun to build their collection, train emerging curators and share their story through exhibitions and other interpretative methods such as apps, walking trails, books, tours, signage and public art.
Must-see: Visit the Liyan-ngan Nyirrwa Cultural Wellbeing Centre to learn about Yawuru heritage and the significance of Broome’s landscapes.
Yu Family Historical Display – Broome
Tucked away above a bustling restaurant in Chinatown, the Yu Family Historical Display offers an intimate glimpse into Broome’s multicultural past. Housed in an iconic corrugated Chinatown building, this was one of the most popular Chinatown stores where workers could shop after hours for all their needs. Over many years, Hong Yu has collected the throw-away items from the 5 generations of her husband’s family, carefully preserving the ingenuity and story that these makeshift items carry.
Must-see: Personal artefacts, photos, and family heirlooms that celebrate the Yu family's lasting legacy in the pearling and business community.
Cygnet Bay Pearls – Dampier Peninsula
A visit to Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm is a must on the Dampier Peninsula. Set against dramatic red cliffs and azure waters, this is Australia’s oldest operating pearl farm. 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, you are taken step-by-step through the process of seeding and harvesting pearls. In the shop you can even select your own loose pearl to create a one of a kind piece of jewellery.
Must-see: Take a behind-the-scenes tour to see how these precious gems are nurtured and discover the pioneering spirit of the Kimberley’s pearl industry.
Waringarri Aboriginal Arts – Kununurra
In the East Kimberley, immerse yourself in culture at Waringarri Aboriginal Arts, one of Australia’s oldest Aboriginal-owned art centres. Transcending western boundaries, Waringarri artists come from a raft of language groups from east Kimberley and across the Northern Territory border. Waringarri also supports Kira Kiro Artists, based in the remote northern community of Kalumburu. A hive of activity, the Centre includes an art gallery and shop, exhibition space and artist workspaces.
Must-see: Vibrant ochre paintings and sculptures that tell the stories of the Miriwoong people – or better still, join a guided tour and hear these stories directly from the artists themselves.
Kununurra Museum - Kununurra
In Kununurra, you’ll find a landscape of mighty rivers, ancient ranges, and lush agricultural plains. Visit the Kununurra Museum to discover the incredible story of the Ord River Irrigation Scheme, then explore nearby Mirima National Park, where towering sandstone formations create a mini version of the Bungle Bungles.
Must-see: Hike the trails at sunrise to see the rocks glow in brilliant shades of orange and gold.
Cossack Museum - Cossack
Set in one of the oldest coastal settlements in Western Australia, Located on the beautiful banks of the Harding River, the Cossack Museum is housed in a beautifully preserved 19th-century courthouse. Built in 1895 by the esteemed government architect George Temple Poole, it is now part of a complex that includes a café, gallery, guesthouse and exhibition space that hosts regular art markets and music events. Here, you’ll uncover stories of the town’s early pearling industry, its multicultural population, and the challenges of life in the remote North West.
Must-see: The museum’s exhibits on Japanese divers, Aboriginal culture, and Cossack’s rise and fall as a pearling port, all surrounded by spectacular coastal views and colonial stone buildings.
Martumili Artists - Newman in the Eastern Pilbara
Located in the heart of the Pilbara, Martumili Artists is a vibrant art centre representing Martu artists from across the Western Desert region. Their powerful contemporary works reflect deep spiritual connections to Country, songlines, and survival in harsh desert environments. These artists came together to paint Country and culture, saying that it makes them “pukurlpa” (happy) inside. With over 500 artists on their books, Martumili is one of the youngest, yet largest art centres in Australia. Its art is collected and displayed all around the world.
Must-see: Striking large-scale canvases depicting ancient stories with modern energy, drop by the gallery space in Newman and, if you're lucky, meet the artists themselves.
Warmun Art Centre - Warmun, Kimberley Region
At the gateway to the Kimberley, Warmun Art Centre showcases the unique style of Gija artists, who paint with natural ochres sourced from their land. 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. The centre supports community wellbeing and intergenerational knowledge sharing.
Must-see: Earthy ochre works that reflect Gija Country, history, and the legacy of renowned artists like Queenie McKenzie and Rover Thomas. Check the schedule for art workshops or storytelling sessions.
Ready to Plan Your Endless Summer Adventures in Australia’s North West?
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