Things to do in Karratha for the adventurous

Karratha is known for its outdoor lifestyle, including swimming, fishing, camping, and exploring. With its wide, open spaces, gorgeous weather, and towns large and small dotted around the countryside, there’s more to it than simply getting out into the desert.

Let’s look at some exciting activities on offer for those who like something a bit different.

Mountain biking

While Karratha has no mountains, it certainly has the scenery for mountain bike riding.

Once you get out of town and into the hills that skirt the city, you’ll find a wealth of well-maintained biking trails crisscrossing the area like a web. It’s the perfect place for adrenaline seekers, with tracks for all abilities and levels of adventure.

You don’t have to race through them at extreme speeds—you can even enjoy a casual roll around the flowing trails. You don’t need to bring your bike up here, either. The friendly folk at The Karratha MTB Club have mountain bikes and helmets available for hire, so you can get out and experience the Pilbara landscape on two wheels.

Bush walking on the Roeburne Heritage Trail

Karratha’s European history dates back to 1861 when Francis Thomas Gregory led an expedition to the area and found it suitable for agriculture. Soon after, in 1866, the nearby town of Roeburne was gazetted, the first town in North West WA. 

Just a 25-minute drive away, Roeburne is a place to explore the historical side of Karratha, and the Roeburne Heritage Trail allows you to walk some of it.

Learn about the Old School House, discover what life was like at Dalgety House all those years ago, and see across the region from Mt Welcome Lookout. You can choose either a 5km or 8km walk trail – a 16km round trip if you’re feeling up for it—which takes you around the 18 significant historical sites about town, with interpretive signage providing insight into the significance of each site. 

Go four-wheel-driving

Get out and see a side of Karratha that you won’t be able to experience if you have a regular car. Four-wheel-driving is the perfect way to head out and see the real rugged outback.

The best way to do it is to join a tour. Tour operators like Ngurrangga Tours take you four-wheel-driving out into the lesser-known areas of the Pilbara.  Operating tag-along tours, they let you bring your vehicle while still following along with their local knowledge.

As you travel over the bumpy, dusty tracks, you will have the opportunity to stop and discover sacred rock art sites, some dating back 40,000 years, learn about traditional bush medicine and food, and hear stories of the land, all from a traditional land owner.

Stand-up paddleboarding

The beautiful warm waters out from Karratha are made to be explored. Just off the coast of Karratha, you’ll find the Dampier Archipelago, a series of 42 islands and islets surrounded by clear blue water and abundant, rich and colourful underwater life.

We’ve spoken previously about diving, but if you prefer taking things at a more leisurely pace, there’s no better way to do it than by stand-up paddleboarding. You can bring your board to the islands and experience the often glassy water. Or, closer to home, try stand-up paddleboarding off some of Karratha’s beaches.

Our friendly reception staff can point you to their favourite spots and help you find the best place to hire a board or lessons.

Explore Karratha off the beaten track

Plenty of exciting things to do in Karratha get you out and about, such as discovering the rugged red dirt and crystal water of the Pilbara firsthand. So it would be best to have somewhere relaxing to stay and enjoy your downtime.

Next time you plan to do some adventuring up north, book a room at Karratha International Hotel. With a range of comfortable rooms, a relaxing pool to settle into at the end of a long day, and top-class Italian fare at Luce Bar e Cibo, we’ll help you make the most of your time in Karratha.