“Tourism plays a significant role in enhancing Western Australia’s economy and creating new jobs. In 2016 it contributed $10 billion in visitor spend to the State and currently generates around 109,000 jobs. The Pilbara boasts some of the world’s most ancient and extraordinary natural landscapes, and with the easing of construction for mining, this presents opportunities to further grow tourism in the region.”
Nathan Harding | Chairman, Tourism WA
Tourism
visitors to
the Pilbara
annually
average time
leisure tourists
stay in the Pilbara
leisure visitors are
young internationals
or grey nomads
generated from
tourism
annually
Tourism is a key economic driver for the Pilbara with more than 900,000 visitors to the region every year, generating more than $470 million in gross revenue annually.
Representing 20 per cent of Western Australia’s land mass, the Pilbara is a vast, diverse region of mountain ranges with deep, spectacular gorges, deserts, plains, a stunning coastline and numerous offshore islands.
Boasting extraordinarily beautiful and unique landscapes, rare flora and fauna and a rich tapestry of Aboriginal culture spanning more than 40,000 years, the Pilbara’s environmental and cultural assets represent unrealised potential for the region’s tourism sector.
Revitalisation of major regional towns in the Pilbara has seen more accommodation, retail, and dining options, along with an exciting calendar of entertainment and events. The peak tourism season runs from April to October, capitalising on the region’s warm winter climate.
Continued investment into the six A’s of tourism – Attractions, Activities, Access, Amenity, Accommodation and Awareness – will position the Pilbara as a place people want to visit now and into the future.
Building the Pilbara’s tourism industry has the potential to grow visitation, increase expenditure in the region, and create employment, training and business opportunities, making it a key part of realising the region’s vision for 2050. The Commission is working in partnership with government, industry and business to achieve a number of strategic objectives that aim to unlock the Pilbara’s potential in tourism and make the 2050 vision a reality.
Current Projects
Millstream Chichester National Park Eco Retreat – Prefeasibility Study
Additional ecotourism accommodation in the Millstream Chichester National Park would increase visitation to the park, broaden the accommodation available, and encourage the development of cultural and other tourism experiences. The prefeasibility study will include identifying and prioritising potential sites; addressing heritage, flora and fauna issues; and assessing water availability, site access and costs. An eco-accommodation development in the park would provide local employment, opportunities for traditional owners to deliver cultural experiences, and would support ongoing conservation.Estimated completion: February 2018
Victoria Hotel Redevelopment
Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation are leading this project to restore the Victoria Hotel building in Roebourne to its early 1900s architectural form. Once complete, the landmark development will facilitate tourism, training and business opportunities to support economic development in Roebourne. Visit the project website for more information.
Estimated completion: 2018
Warlu Way Drive Trail Signage Upgrade
Pilbara Regional Council will work with local governments to improve directional signage in the region to encourage visitors to follow the Warlu Way drive trail. This project aims to improve the connection between the Pilbara’s major attractions to increase the amount of time visitors spend in the region.
Estimated completion: June 2018
Regional Tourism Entry Signage
Entry statement signage on the main roads in to the
Pilbara will provide tourists with a sense of arrival and excitement at being
in this iconic region. With 79% of leisure visitors arriving to the region by
road, this project includes the installation of three signs at key entry
points; Nanutarra, Capricorn and Pardoo.
Estimated completion: June 2018
Camping with Custodians Revised Feasibility
Whim Creek, located half way between Port Hedland and Karratha, is renowned as one of the best overnight camping spots in Western Australia. The Ngarluma Yindjibarndi Foundation Limited and Ngarluma Aboriginal Foundation formed a joint venture to purchase the Whim Creek Hotel in 2014 aiming to make it an attractive tourism destination. This project includes a feasibility study into relocating a Camping with Custodians site within the Whim Creek Hotel precinct.
Estimated completion: Early-2018
Eco-Tourism Enterprise on Indigenous Lease
The Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation aim to develop an eco-tourism venture in the East Pilbara, including a proposed Camping with Custodians site near the Ngurrawaana Community. This project will investigate the feasibility of this proposal and develop a business plan of an eco-tourism venture.
Estimated completion: 2019
Cultural Eco-Tourism
This project, led by the Yaburara and Coastal Mardudhunera Aboriginal Corporation, will deliver a strategic plan for the Corporation’s cultural tourism aspirations. The strategic plan will bring certainty to site selection where Mardudhunera people could deliver authentic cultural experiences and develop an action plan for making the vision a reality.
Estimated completion: Late-2017
Destination Marketing - Karratha and Surrounds
The Karratha and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry will bring a national television show to the region to promote popular recreation activities such as, fishing and diving, that the area is renowned for. This project will put the Pilbara’s natural tourism assets on a national stage to increase awareness and encourage more people to visit the region.
Estimated completion: December 2017
Publications and useful links
Reports and studies
- Pilbara Tourism Activation Infrastructure Report (October 2016)
- Pilbara Tourism Product Development Plan (November 2014)
- Demand Needs Analysis for Short-Stay Accommodation in the Pilbara Regional Summary Report
Useful links
- Tourism WA
- Australia's North West Tourism
- Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions – Parks and Wildlife Service
- Business Centre Pilbara (Resource for tourism start-up businesses)