Karijini National Park & The Pilbara
The Pilbara is located in the North West of Australia, and is over 505,000 km2 in size- that is twice the size of the UK! It is one of the most ecologically diverse regions of Australia, with landscapes stretching from Outback country & deep dramatic gorges to pristine coral reefs and vast sandy beaches. Even though the Pilbara Region’s industry relies heavily on the resource sector, it also preserves untouched natural landscapes for the visitor to enjoy. Six national parks in the Pilbara protect the region’s ecology, one of them being the adventurer’s paradise Karijini National Park.
Significant aspects of the Pilbara
- The Pilbara is one of the most geologically, ecologically and biologically diverse regions of Australia- with pristine coral reefs, ancient mountain ranges & gorges and vast Outback country.
- The Pilbara has a rich indigenous heritage. More than 31 indigenous language groups call the region home and indigenous ranger groups contribute largely to the management of the Pilbara’s natural landscapes.
- Archaeological evidence indicates that indigenous peoples inhabited the area at least 30,000- 40,000 years ago; The early history of these groups is held within an oral tradition, archaeological evidence and a significant amount of outstanding petroglyphs. Nowadays, only about 15% of the Pilbara’s population is indigenous.
- The mountain ranges, canyons and gorge systems of the Pilbara have formed over two billion years, and represent some of the Earth’s oldest rock formations.
- The Pilbara is home to Australia’s largest fringing reef and is gaining in visitor popularity, attracting snorkelers and divers from all over the world.
- The diversity of the Pilbara’s landscapes make it the perfect outdoor playground for active travellers- from swimming at pristine beaches to climbing & hiking through ancient canyons- the visitor can interact with and experience nature at its best!
- Even though over 500,000 km2 in size, the Pilbara has a population of only around 66,000- seven people per square kilometre- it is one of the most thinly populated regions of Australia.
- The Pilbara is very rich in mineral deposits, including petroleum, natural gas and iron ore.
- The Pilbara’s resource industry, in particular the mining of iron ore, stands in stark contrast to the region’s untouched natural landscapes. Protecting these landscapes from further exploitation is an important concern of many local indigenous groups and ecologists.
- The Pilbara has a long pastoral history, mainly concentrating on cattle and some sheep farming. Some family owned stations have been in operation continuously for over 60 years and now offer visitors to stay and experience authentic Outback lifestyles.
