Karratha is a family friendly destination you may just want to make a permanent home
Whether you’re looking for a temporary adventure or a bit more of a permanent change of scenery, the picturesque surroundings of Karratha hold everything you could possibly need for a fun family affair.
There’s no shortage of natural wonders to admire, and the slow outdoor lifestyle combined with a whole stock of family-friendly venues make this standout Pilbara-region town a sure crowd-pleaser. So much so that you may even want to make it your new home.
Here are just a few reasons your family will love Karratha.
It’s one massive playground
Hunt down hidden watering holes, explore gorges, dip your toes in rock pools, lay out a towel on stretches of pristine beach, or reel in a catch of the day. Whatever you’re craving, Karratha is your own personal playground for every type of adventure.
For those seeking more, a drive out to Millstream Chichester National Park is a must on the itinerary. Here you’ll find a lush desert oasis of tree-lined natural pools, palms, and rolling hills that set the scene for the perfect family day out. Enjoy a dip at Python Pool, walk or bike one of the many trails or set up camp and make a weekend of it at one of the public campgrounds.
Heading slightly further, you’ll also be able to experience the complete magic of Karijini National Park and its iconic gorges. It’s around a five-hour drive from town, but totally worth it for the secluded swimming holes and striking red cliff faces.
The outdoors lifestyle
Phones off, iPads down, the lifestyle in Karratha is one made for the outdoors lovers. Fishing, snorkeling, boating, camping – it’s all on your doorstep.
A short boat ride can see you to Dampier Archipelago, the richest area of marine biodiversity known in all of WA. It’s a wonderland of coral reefs and white sand beaches for some of the best snorkeling in the state, and an eager fisherman’s dream with over 650 species of fish.
May to September is prime camping and fishing time in Karratha, although outdoor activities can pretty much be enjoyed all year round with an average high of 36 degrees in summer and 26 degrees in winter. You and the family will be spoilt for choice with no shortage of coastal spots to enjoy the laidback lifestyle well into the balmy evenings, and with Karratha as your base you can easily tick them all off.
Plenty of activities for the kids
After massive investments in new modern facilities, there is a wealth of activities and places for the kids to enjoy from leisure and recreation centres to parks, ovals, sporting clubs, and cinemas.
Places like Youth Shed provide a one-stop-shop for all the activities and excitement your energised little ones may need, with an entire space dedicated to tennis, computers, gaming stations, and more, or you can enroll them in one of the many school holiday programs hosted by the Leisureplex.
There are also some 70 family-friendly festivals and events in the region every year that you can score tickets to and over 200 sporting groups and clubs the kids can get involved in to make friends and burn some energy.
They’re all about that work-life balance
With job opportunities behind every door and the lowest unemployment rate in Australia, you can assume Karratha must be doing something right when it comes to balancing work and life.
It’s a place where you can clock off work at 3:45 pm and be out on a boat by 4 pm making the most of all the gorgeous natural surroundings and casting a line. A strong work-life balance also means plenty of quality family time on weekends and after work hours, so you can really slow down and appreciate the little things.
No shortage of schooling choices
Education is always a big one to consider if you’re thinking of staying in Karratha more long-term, and they’ve got you covered on that front too.
Both private and public high schools and primary schools are represented throughout the Karratha, Roebourne, Wickham, and Dampier catchment, along with one of North Regional TAFE’s largest campuses with plenty of courses along with a University Centre providing tertiary and community education.
Dining options aplenty
No matter where you decide to set up in town, you’ll always be just a short distance away from everything, including a growing foodie scene.
Big progress has been made in the past few years on the food and beverage front in Karratha, so family dinners and weekend lunches can still go strong. You can find local faves like The Tav Sports Bar and The Tambrey for your good old pub grub fix, or turn it up a notch by visiting some of the fresher dining spots.
Fiorita Wine Bar & Restaurant do things a little differently with a fancier menu of mouthwatering dishes and a large selection of wines, while their sister venue Blanche Bar specialise in tapas-style food, share platters, and cocktails.
Those who lean towards beer as a beverage of choice will do well making North West Brewing Co their new regular with craft beer on tap and modern pub fare to fill up on at lunch.
If you’re after a quick fuel up in between adventures, a stop in at Pilbara Bakehouse will do for a choice between pastries, fresh baked breads, and coffee.
Community is strong
A vibrant and connected community is at the heart of everything that Karratha is.
People from all walks of life over all parts of Australia now call this stunning place home, and you’ll find a range of community group offerings to help you become a part of it. The area is also rooted in fascinating Aboriginal history and cultural heritage and continues to provide cultural offerings through things like Ngurrangga Tours and strong community ties.
Go on, Karratha is calling!
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