The Pilbara Region
The Pilbara region is located in North West Australia between the Kimberley and the Tropic of Capricorn, and is made up of the Shires of Ashburton, East Pilbara and Roebourne and the Town of Port Hedland.
The major town settlements are Karratha (and surrounds), Port Hedland (including South Hedland and Wedgefield) and Newman (by proximity to the Great Northern Highway). Tom Price is considered to be a medium town settlement only because of its isolation from a major transport corridor, and the remaining settlements of Onslow, Paraburdoo, Nullagine, Marble Bar are considered to be small town settlements, albeit all have their own unique charismatic charm.
In addition to the above town settlements there are a number of aboriginal community settlements, of which the two larger communities are Jigalong and Yandeyarra. Distances between settlements can span 450 kilometers or more, and there exist a number of notable road houses to enable journey breaks, which include Auski, Nanutarra, Fortescue, and Pardoo Roadhouses, which in some cases these roadhouses can also act as a base for exploring the Pilbara National Parks and conservation areas.
The main street of Onslow, source: Max Jefferies
In addition to the above town settlements there are a number of aboriginal community settlements, of which the two larger communities are Jigalong and Yandeyarra.
Distances between settlements can span 450 kilometers or more, and there exist a number of notable road houses to enable journey breaks, which include Auski, Nanutarra, Fortescue, and Pardoo Roadhouses, which in some cases these roadhouses can also act as a base for exploring the Pilbara National Parks and conservation areas.
Source: Pardoo Roadhouse