Burrup Peninsula, on the West Pilbara Coast of Western Australia (WA), is blessed with pristine white beaches, unique rock formations and the most prolific collection of Aboriginal rock art in Australia. Situated between Dampier and Karratha, it is home to more than 700 archaeological sites, including 10,000 rock engravings (petroglyphs), and was listed by the Heritage Council of Western Australia in July 2007.
Burrup Peninsula history
Before the arrival of European explorers and settlers, it is estimated that Aboriginal people lived on the Burrup Peninsula and the surrounding West Pilbara Coast of WA for over 30,000 years.
It wasn’t until 1979, during the planning stages of the North West Shelf Gas Project, that the peninsula was named by Woodside Petroleum Pty Ltd. It takes its name from Mount Burrup, which in turn, was named by the government surveyor FS Brockman, in honour of Henry Wood Burrup – one of two men mysteriously murdered at the union bank in Roebourne in 1885.
Woodside Visitor Centre and the North West Shelf Natural Gas Project
Located on the Burrup Peninsula, near the port of Dampier and the town of Karratha, is the North-West Shelf Natural Gas Project (NWSW). It is the biggest and one of the most important resource developments to be undertaken in Australia. The Woodside Visitor Centre, which is situated overlooking the North West Shelf Gas Venture offers great views of the project and informative displays, including an award-winning video. The view of the North West Shelf Gas Venture from the Woodside Visitor Centre is particularly stunning at night.
Getting to the Burrup Peninsula
You can travel in a two wheel drive vehicle by sealed road, past Hearson’s Cove, to the North West Shelf Gas Venture Visitor Centre. However, to access the Burrup Peninsula by road, you will require a four wheel drive. This area of WA’s West Pilbara Coast features rocky and unsealed tracks through mangroves and over a steep incline called the ‘Jump Up’, providing exciting challenges for experienced four wheel drivers. Maps for the area, including the Jump Up, are available from Karratha Visitor Centre. All roads on the Burrup Peninsula are for public use except beyond security gates.
If you have your boat in tow, head for the Dampier boat ramp and follow the Burrup Peninsula coastline towards Withnell and Conzinc Bays.
Contact the local visitor centres, or more information about the Burrup Peninsula on WA’s West Pilbara Coast.
Some information presented in this website has been sourced, with permission, from the Shire of Roebourne website.
