Dampier and surrounding area.

Dampier WA 6713 (Pop 2 000)

Dampier is a purpose-built yet pretty ‘company town’ sitting on King Bay in WA’s North West. Situated 1 542 km north of Perth, it was constructed by Hamersley Iron mines (operating at Tom Price and Paraburdoo) in 1965 as a port and processing centre. Today it is one of the country’s most substantial ports and the Dampier Salt Company is Australia’s greatest salt producer with over 9 000 ha of salt pans sitting between Dampier and Karrutha. North West Shelf Project, also located nearby, is Australia’s largest resource project developing gas reserves from two offshore gas fields. Dampier township has attractive beaches and water-based recreational facilities, while the Dampier Archipelago islands are beginning to attract growing numbers of tourists.

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Dampier Port runs daily tours. Tel (08) 9143 5364. Dampier Beach has an ocean pool, boat ramps, sailing club & recreational facilities. North West Shelf Project Visitors Centre, Burrup Rd excellent project displays, models & theatrette. Open (10am-4pm) Apr-Oct. Open (10am-1pm) Nov-Mar.  

Nearby:
Dampier Archipelago a series of over 40 uninhabited islands offering untouched beaches, excellent watersport opportunities, offshore coral reefs, countless birdlife species and various types of turtles, dolphins, dugongs and humpback whales. Some of the islands also feature historic Aboriginal sites with thousands of rock engravings as well as the remains of an old whaling station and pearling camp.  

Accommodation:
Dampier has a couple of motels, a hotel, holiday apartments and a caravan park. Visitor Information Centre: 4548 Karratha Rd. Karratha. Tel (08) 9144 4600.

Airport:
Karratha Airport (KTA), Norman Rd. Tel (08) 9186 8563. (10.5 km s-e).

Hospitals:
Dampier Hospital, Huon St, Dampier; Nickol Bay Hospital, Dampier Rd, Millars Well. Tel (08) 9143 2333. (17.5 km s-e).