Karratha: Hiking Trails, Culture and City Views

Karratha combines nature experiences in the hills with striking viewpoints and opportunities to enjoy art, culture and recreation. The Yaburara Heritage Trail winds through the Karratha Hills on the edge of the city; from Water Tanks Lookout, the view stretches across the town centre to Nickol Bay and the Burrup Peninsula. The Red Earth Arts Precinct and Karratha Leisureplex offer further reasons to discover Karratha as a travel destination.

Hiking and discovering traces of the past

The Yaburara Heritage Trail is a 3.5 km linear walking trail through the Karratha Hills. Its location on the edge of the city makes it a practical way to experience the hilly landscape during a stay in Karratha. The stated distance gives you a guide for planning your day; on its own, it does not indicate the walking time or difficulty level.

Along the way, the trail passes Aboriginal shell middens, petroglyphs and engraving sites. These stops give the route a cultural dimension in addition to its natural setting. If you are particularly interested in the traces and places along the trail, you can take this into account when planning your trip. This makes it possible to give a day in Karratha a different focus from a visit centred mainly on views, art or sporting activities.

Views across the city and bay

Water Tanks Lookout offers sweeping views across Karratha city centre to Nickol Bay and the Burrup Peninsula. The panorama combines a view of the city with the named landscape destinations on the horizon. For travellers who like to include a viewpoint in their stay, it provides a clear alternative to hiking the Yaburara Heritage Trail.

The lookout is easily accessed from the Karratha Visitor Centre car park. There are two groups of shaded picnic tables on site, as well as a rubbish bin. This means you can also make the viewpoint a stop of its own and take a break there. These specific features can help you decide whether to make a short visit for views across Karratha or focus on a hike in the hills.

Art, culture and events

The Red Earth Arts Precinct provides space in Karratha for art, culture, events, meetings and conferences. It adds a cultural destination to the area’s nature and hiking experiences. The rooftop terrace, The Shelf, offers panoramic views of the city. If you are interested in culture, you can include the precinct in your travel plans; if you would rather spend most of your time outdoors, the trail and lookout offer other ways to shape your stay.

Swimming and other activities

Karratha Leisureplex has a 50 m swimming pool with eight lanes. Its swim school offers programs for all ages and abilities. The Leisureplex also has indoor and outdoor courts. Alongside hiking and sightseeing, Karratha therefore offers swimming and other activities at the Leisureplex for visitors with different interests.

For families travelling together, these different options may play a part in planning: some may want to explore the Heritage Trail and its cultural sites, while others may be interested in swimming, the courts at the Leisureplex, or art and events.

Planning your stay

The Karratha Tourism & Visitor Centre provides local information about the best sights, experiences and attractions in the City of Karratha. If you are still deciding which experiences matter most for your trip, the centre can help you find your way. When choosing a holiday rental in Karratha, the first consideration is whether you want to focus your stay on hiking, views, culture or the facilities at the Leisureplex.

Discover more places

Other places include Wickepin, Yeagarup, North Beach, Waggrakine, Bayswater, Halls Head, Gingin and Preston Beach.

For the broader travel overview: Western Australia.