ABOUT DAMPIER
Located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, the town of Dampier is about a 20 km drive north west of Karratha. Dampier is a picturesque coastal town situated alongside Hampton Harbour on WA’s Pilbara Coast. It is the gateway to the Dampier Archipelago, a spectacular group of 42 islands, outcrops and islets renowned for its pristine beauty and considerable marine biodiversity.
Dampier sits on a Rio Tinto townsite lease, surrounded by a mine site lease. Construction started in 1966 as the residential hub associated with a port and processing centre for Hamersley Iron’s inland Pilbara iron ore mines. The town’s population over the last 50 years has mostly been comprised of people employed in mining and related industries.
Dampier Port is the second largest bulk export port in the world, shipping iron ore, salt, liquefied gas and anhydrous ammonia from dedicated terminals, as well as other cargo. Despite the high volumes of shipping and industrial activity that occurs in the area, the Dampier Archipelago has an extremely diverse marine ecosystem and is home to several endangered species. Today over half of the islands are classified as nature reserves and are accordingly managed by Western Australia’s Department of Parks and Wildlife.
Dampier and surrounds is home to an array of animal, marine and birdlife, including, but not limited to, kangaroos, bats, turtles, eagles, lizards and snakes. There is a large local kangaroo and wallaby population which is particularly at risk due to their interactions with roads and vehicles. Drivers should exercise caution when using roads in and around Dampier, especially between dusk and dawn, as marcopods are most active between these hours.
The region has a desert climate which sees year round sunshine for a range of marine and leisure activities. Having over 3,700 hours of annual sunshine, it is one of the sunniest places in Australia! With its inviting beachfront and foreshore area, nearby archipelago, boat ramps, picnic and barbecue facilities, Dampier is a popular destination for families, boating enthusiasts, fishermen and divers wanting to explore the coral reef and sandy bays.
These factors, combined with the area’s thriving resources industries create employment opportunities and economic investment in the region, make Dampier an enviable place to live and work. According to the Australian Bureau of Statics 2021 Census, Dampier has a population of 1,275 people.
