Australia´s North West Holiday Planner 2024

THE PILBARA ONSLOW THE COAST I S CLEAR The pretty coastal town of Onslow has an interesting history of pearling, farming and gold mining, and enjoys good weather all year round. It’s a great place to relax, enjoy nature and some great fishing. • Discover the ruins of the 19th century town of Old Onslow at the mouth of the river where historic buildings can still be seen. • Gain an insight into Onslow’s history at the Goods Shed Museum, located in a building moved from the original townsite. • Stroll the Ian Blair Memorial Walkway from Beadon Point to Sunset Beach. Discover the War Memorial, a beautiful sculpture based on the insignia of the ADF’s Rising Sun cap badge. At dawn on ANZAC day, the rays of the rising sun shine directly through the arch of the sculpture. • Onslow is one of the few places where you can watch the sun rise and set over water – at Sunrise and Sunset Beaches. Enjoy the Staircase to the Moon from First Ave (Sunrise Beach) or the boardwalk. • Cast a line and try your luck at fishing at the beaches and river, or head offshore to the Mackerel and Montebello Islands on fishing charters. • From the Visitor Centre, join a tour of the Wheatstone gas plant fortnightly, or Onslow’s Hidden Treasures. • On the drive into town check out Onslow Salt and its solar run salt plant, as well as the incredible termite mounds from the viewing area along the road. • View the ’Paparazzi Dogs’ statues positioned to face the Staircase to the Moon and the sunrise. Fly into Onslow from Perth four times per week. Drive to Onslow via the North West Coastal Highway, turning onto the Onslow Road and driving 80km to the coast. Accommodation is available in self-contained apartments with resort facilities, or deluxe cabins and campsites at the caravan parks. Outside of Onslow, a campsite is located just off the Onslow Rd along the banks of the Ashburton River. MACKEREL ISLANDS The Mackerel Islands are a collection of 10 pristine islands and atolls scattered off the mid-coast of Western Australia, 22km fromOnslow on the mainland. Take a day trip from Onslow, or book accommodation on Thevenard Island. Visit mackerelislands.com.au to book. • Bring your own boat, or transfer to the island by boat or private plane transfer. • Tour the island by 4WD or boat tour, join a fishing charter, or hire boat, kayak, SUP or fishing equipment. • Enjoy beach and fly fishing, as well as boat fishing. • Go snorkelling and diving, or simply explore the island and relax. • Spot an incredible range of marine and birdlife, including whales, dolphins, dugongs, turtles, tropical fish and land and migratory birds. ONSLOW TOURIST CENTRE 2nd Avenue, Onslow Ph: (08) 9184 6644 www.ashburton.wa.gov.au (08) 9184 6444 • WWW.MACKERELiSLANDS.COM.AU For a holiday full of adventure and relaxation, head to the Mackerel Islands, located north of Exmouth. Home to a fringing reef, sandy beaches, secluded bays, gorgeous sunsets and wildlife encounters, just 45 minutes off the coast of Onslow. Go snorkelling with turtles and colourful tropical fish, kayaking, SUP boarding, bird watching and beach fishing. Choice of comfortable air-conditioned cabins featuring a kitchen, BBQ, lounge and dining areas with ocean views. Take the ferry service or your own boat across and hire a mooring, with secure parking available on the mainland. bEACHfROnT CABinS fROM $490 pER NiGHT  iSLAnD ESCAPE  MACKEREL ISLANDS | ONSLOW Old Onslow town site Australia’s North West | 71