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Major city · Australia

Karratha

Two nights is enough: one afternoon for the Murujuga rock art at Ngajarli, one for Dampier and Hearson's Cove. Skip it unless you have a car.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Karratha is a modern mining and gas town built from 1968, not a resort. Almost everything worth seeing sits on the Burrup Peninsula 15–30 km northwest, so a rental car decides your trip. Come for the 47,000-year-old engravings at Ngajarli (Deep Gorge), the Dampier coast and the staircase-to-the-moon tides, then move on east to Port Hedland or west toward Exmouth.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
AUD
Best months
May–Aug (cooler, drier months)
avoid Dec–Mar (hot, humid and most rain); check cyclone warnings before coastal or peninsula drives
Airport
KTA
Nights
2
Rules in force · 7
  • Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
  • Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
  • Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
  • Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
  • Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
  • Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
  • Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Karratha000 ▾
  • Police, fire, ambulance000
  • From a mobile112

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Karratha, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffee2026 estimate: check
  • BeerBeer at a pub or bottle shop2026 estimate: check
  • Budget bedHoliday-park cabin (up to 4), a night, per roomA$150 (≈ US$100)
  • Mid-range bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomA$200 (≈ US$140)
  • High-end bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomA$320 (≈ US$250)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$120 (≈ US$80) · Mid A$200 (≈ US$140) · High A$320 (≈ US$250)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Murujuga National Park rock engravingsNgajarli (Deep Gorge) boardwalkDampier and the Burrup PeninsulaStaircase to the moon tidesIron ore and North West Shelf gas
Airports
KTA Karratha Airport (14 km (8.7 mi) northwest of town, 5 km (3.1 mi) southeast of Dampier; car rental desks in the terminal)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    36°C (97°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    36°C (97°F)

  3. Mar

    Avoid

    36°C (97°F)

  4. Apr

    not flagged

    35°C (95°F)

  5. May

    Best

    30°C (86°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    27°C (81°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    26°C (79°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    28°C (82°F)

  9. Sep

    not flagged

    31°C (88°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    34°C (93°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    35°C (95°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    36°C (97°F)

Best: May–Aug. Avoid: Dec–Mar. Month by month →

Warmest Jan (36°C (97°F)), coolest Jul (14°C (57°F) low), wettest Feb (10 rain days), driest Aug (1). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Karratha: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

36°C (97°F)

27°C (81°F)

9 rd

Feb

36°C (97°F)

27°C (81°F)

10 rd

Mar

36°C (97°F)

26°C (79°F)

7 rd

Apr

35°C (95°F)

23°C (73°F)

3 rd

May

30°C (86°F)

18°C (64°F)

3 rd

Jun

27°C (81°F)

15°C (59°F)

3 rd

Jul

26°C (79°F)

14°C (57°F)

2 rd

Aug

28°C (82°F)

14°C (57°F)

1 rd

Sep

31°C (88°F)

17°C (63°F)

1 rd

Oct

34°C (93°F)

21°C (70°F)

1 rd

Nov

35°C (95°F)

23°C (73°F)

1 rd

Dec

36°C (97°F)

26°C (79°F)

3 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

You need your own wheels. Rent at the airport; 2WD reaches Ngajarli, Hearson's Cove and Mount Wongama, but the rough north-coast tracks to Conzinc Bay and Aremvee Beach need high-clearance 4WD. PTA buses 880/881 run 2–3 times a day between Dampier, Karratha, Roebourne, Wickham and Point Samson (about 45 min Dampier–Karratha); the stop is outside the shopping centre on Welcome Rd. Taxis wait at the shopping centre.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Dampier and Hearson's Cove

go

Door to door: Check

Drive northwest from Karratha; check route and conditions before departure.

Hearson's Cove is a coastal stop; check tide and swimming conditions.

Ngajarli (Deep Gorge), Murujuga National Park

go

Door to door: Check

Drive the Burrup Peninsula route; check road access before departure.

A boardwalk passes engravings; access hours and any fees: check.

Roebourne, Cossack and Point Samson

go

Door to door: Check

Drive east on the North West Coastal Highway and follow the local turn-offs.

Roebourne has historic buildings; check local access and opening details.

Montebello Islands

skip

Door to door: Multi-day

No scheduled service is confirmed; check for boat tours and access.

About 200 km (124 mi) offshore; not a day trip. The islands have residual contamination from 1950s atomic tests.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Karratha town centre (Welcome Rd / Sharpe Ave)

Walk to the shopping centre, cafés and the bus stop; the practical base without a car.

Baynton and Nickol

Holiday-park cabins and motels off Dampier Hwy, 3–5 km (1.9–3.1 mi) west; needs a car. Check current availability.

Dampier

Caravan park and the closest beds to Hearson's Cove and the peninsula; very quiet at night.

Point Samson and Cossack

Coastal village rooms 40–50 min east; Cossack has basic accommodation. Use only if you want beach time, not town services.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
A$120–180 (≈ US$80–120) excl. bed
Mid
A$180–280 (≈ US$120–190) excl. bed
High
A$280 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Motel or hotel double room1 × 2 nights × A$200A$400
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × A$200A$800
Compact car rental, one day1 × A$90 · 2026 estimate; checkA$90
Fuel for 150 km of driving1 × A$25 · 2026 estimate; checkA$25
eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$30 · 2026 estimate; checkA$60
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeA$138
Trip total≈ A$378 per person per day, bed includedA$1,513≈ US$1,000

2026 estimate; check

2026 estimate in Australian dollars; flights excluded. Rates vary; check current accommodation and transport prices.

Prices of common things

Coffee2026 estimate: check
Pub or bistro main2026 estimate: check
Beer at a pub or bottle shop2026 estimate: check
Supermarket shop for two, one day2026 estimate: check
Leisureplex casual pool or gym drop-in2026 estimate: check
Fuel, unleaded per litre2026 estimate: check
Airport to town taxi2026 estimate: check

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Karratha is a working mining town and generally safe; the real risks are heat, long empty drives and patchy phone coverage. Lock the car, keep water in it, and tell someone your route before heading up the peninsula.
  • Summer heat can be severe. Carry water, start drives early and check conditions before setting out.
  • Mobile coverage is patchy beyond Karratha and Dampier; check coverage before remote drives.
  • Keep to the Ngajarli boardwalk and follow signs protecting the engravings.
  • Cyclone season is roughly Nov–Apr; check warnings before coastal or peninsula drives.
  • Swim at Hearson's Cove only when conditions and tide are suitable.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
000
From a mobile
112

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

KarrathaKarratha

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance000
  • From a mobile112

Embassy

No embassies in Karratha; consular services are based elsewhere in Australia.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Airport → Karratha town centre, taxi: Fare and journey time: check
  • PTA bus between Dampier and Karratha: About 45 min; 2–3 services a day (check current timetable)
  • Perth → Karratha flight: About 2 h non-stop; current fares: check

Say or show

  • Thanks — Thank you
  • Where's the toilet? — Where is the toilet?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
  • Is it safe to swim here? — Is it safe to swim here?
  • How far to the next fuel? — How far to the next fuel?

English is widely used.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Karratha. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Aug (cooler, drier months) · avoid Dec–Mar (hot, humid and most rain); check cyclone warnings before coastal or peninsula drives · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 4 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for KTA: rental desks, last bus 881 from Dampier, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
  2. Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: shopping centre and Visitor Centre, Searipple beachfront, Baynton/Nickol motels, Dampier village.
  3. Place pages with verified cutoffs (Ngajarli boardwalk, Hearson's Cove tides, North West Shelf Visitor Centre hours) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Heat and cyclone fixtures so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to Australia

Sources