Welcome to the Shire of Roebourne

Waiba! Nyindaguru milbanha warrbangu nhurdu Ngarluma ngurra.
Translation: Hello and welcome to everybody who has come from far away to Ngarluma Country.

Traditional owners within the region, the Ngarluma people extend a welcome in language to the visitors of the Pilbara, a water and inland playground on Western Australia's rugged North West Coast. The Pilbara Coast region encompasses the towns of Karratha, Dampier, Roebourne, Wickham, Cossack and Point Samson offering visitors an endless array of interesting activities, destinations and attractions.

Here, you can sail, fish and swim in clear blue waters one day then climb rugged hills and view the red harsh but beautiful landscape the next, without leaving town.

Cultural Heritage

Aboriginal culture provides a unique insight into the history of the Pilbara region. We acknowledge in this publication, the Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi people who are traditional landowners within this region.

Despite their tragic history, the indigenous people of the area are achieving the re-establishment of their cultural and traditional links and providing a positive future for their people.

Our Pioneering Past

The towns and areas surrounding Karratha have a European history that dates back to 1699 when William Dampier first sailed into the Archipelago aboard his ship the Roebuck, landing at Pirates Cove on Enderby Island.

The township of Roebourne has an interesting history being first established in 1866 and named after John Septimus Roe, Western Australia's First Surveyor General. The town grew to be the administrative capital of the North West with Cossack as the port that serviced this then very large town.

Cossack, officially declared a town in 1872, was the first port in the North West and played host to thousands of people seeking their fortunes during the Pilbara gold rush. Cossack was also once home to the booming pearling industry. Once the local pearling grounds were fished out, the pearlers moved further north along the coast to Broome. In 1904 a jetty was established at Point Samson and all shipping movements were relocated there. Sadly Cossack had lost her position as the most important port in the Northwest. The municipality of Cossack was dissolved in 1910 however people continued to live in the town until after World War II. The town was eventually abandoned by 1950.

Jarman Island marks the entry to Cossack and the wharves at Point Samson, and in 1867 the Jarman Island Lighthouse arrived on a ship from England. After being assembled using a labour force from the Roebourne Prison, the lighthouse was fully operational with a Lighthouse keeper to ensure that the four wick kerosene lamp was lit every night. In 1917 it was automated, burning a guiding light for shipping right up until 1985 when it was finally de-commissioned. Thanks to the Shire of Roebourne and monies from both the State and Federal Government, the lighthouse has now been fully restored to preserve this fascinating piece of our local maritime history for generations to come.