Just a short drive from Point Samson Resort lies Cossack, WA, one of the Pilbara’s most fascinating destinations. This small settlement played a significant role in establishing the state’s mining and pearling industries, although it had been culturally significant for local people for millennia before that.
Today, you can visit the bluestone buildings, coastal lookouts and heritage trails that are hoping to bring a nearly-forgotten chapter in WA’s history back to life.
From Bajinhurrba to Busy Pearling Port: Cossack’s Early Days
A Place of Cultural and Commercial Significance
“Cossack” is the modern name for a place that Ngarluma people, the traditional owners of this beautiful Country, have called Bajinhurrba for over 40,000 years.
Colonial history began in 1863 when Walter Padbury landed at the mouth of the Nguring (Harding River). A settlement sprang up, named Tien Tsin for Padbury’s ship. Soon, the North West’s first port was built, and the Butcher Inlet became the birthplace of WA’s pearling industry.
All That Glitters…
Officials renamed the growing town Cossack in 1871. By then, more than 80 pearling boats operated from a bustling harbour which also serviced the mining and gold industries.
However, the shine faded quickly. Ngarlamu people suffered atrocities, including forced labour and medical incarceration in a leprosarium. By the 1880s, the pearling industry had largely shifted to Broome. Gold discoveries slowed, and the larger Point Samson jetty opened.
The town eventually dissolved in 1910 and was abandoned by the 1950s.
Resurrecting a Ghost Town: Truth Telling and Tourism in Cossack, WA
Cossack remained a ghost town for over 70 years until restoration efforts transformed the town into a place where history – the good and the bad – comes to life.
Today, thanks to the efforts of the Ngarluma-Yindjibarndi Foundation (NYFL), you can step back in time to explore the same buildings that once made Cossack the pearl of the Pilbara. Whether you’re here for work, a weekend getaway, or passing through, Cossack, WA is well worth a day trip.
Things to Do in Cossack, WA
Explore the Restored Bluestone Buildings
Cossack’s bluestone buildings are still standing in their original location, giving you a glimpse of life as it was in the late 19th century. Today, you can see the Post and Telegraph Office, the Customs House and Bond Store, and the courthouse. The structures were carefully restored in the early 2020s, and hopefully will be reopened again to give visitors a truly immersive experience.
Please note: Cossack’s tourist facilities are currently closed, but the town and surrounding area are well worth a visit. We’ll keep this post updated with future changes.
Follow the Cossack Heritage Trail
The Cossack Heritage Trail is a 5km journey through history. Follow the path past the Tien Tsin Lookout, the European and Asian cemeteries, and the old police barracks that once kept watch over a bustling port.
The trail paints a vivid picture of Cossack’s pearling heyday and tough decline. Grab a trail map from the Karratha Visitor Centre or download it here, and take plenty of water if you plan to walk the whole trail.
Swim at Settlers Beach
The long white stretch of Settlers Beach is where history meets holiday. Cool off with a swim at high tide or wander the exposed sand flats when the ocean retreats. You can bring a rod for a chance to catch dinner off the old jetty, or launch a kayak straight from the shore.
Our tip? Time your visit with Karratha’s famous Staircase to the Moon, a shimmering illusion rising over the mudflats that feels utterly magical.
Look Out Over Stunning Landscapes
On a hill just beside the town, Tien Tsin Lookout offers views across the Harding River mouth to Port Walcott and the Indian Ocean beyond. Or walk out to Reader Head Lookout overlooking Settlers to Beach to survey a landscape that explains why early settlers were drawn here, and why life in this remote corner of the Pilbara was so tough.
Visit the Cossack Art Awards
The doors of Cossack’s bluestone buildings are thrown open every July and August for the Cossack Art Awards. Artists from the Pilbara and around Australia exhibit in the historic spaces, vying for one of Australia’s richest regional art prizes. Check cossackartawards.com.au for dates and details.
Where to Refuel
Cossack Café, located in the old Customs House and Bond Store, is the go-to spot for a meal or coffee in Cossack. Hours vary, so call ahead or ask the team at Point Samson Resort for the latest information.
Just off the highway in Wickham, Uncle Foggys Snack Bar makes a great pit stop on the way to or from Cossack. It’s open six days a week from 7am until 8pm.
Where to Stay Near Cossack, WA
Point Samson Resort provides the perfect base for exploring Cossack and the Pilbara. The resort’s tropical atmosphere, with a sparkling pool under swaying palm trees, makes it the best place to stay near Cossack.
Unfortunately the accommodation in the ghost town itself remains closed, including campsites.
Getting to Cossack, WA
Cossack is easy to reach by car. From Point Samson Resort, the drive takes less than 15 minutes via Roebourne/Point Samson Road and Cossack Road. From Karratha, the trip is about 50km via the North West Coastal Highway and Roebourne/Point Samson Road.
Unfortunately, there is no bus to Cossack. But if you’re up for an adventure, you can rent a boat or kayak from Point Samson Adventure Rentals. Head across Butcher Inlet to Settlers Beach (about 3.5km), and from there it’s a 20-minute walk to the historic town.
Insider Tips for a Memorable Visit
- Start early to avoid the midday heat.
- Carry water, snacks and sun protection.
- Wear sturdy shoes for uneven paths.
- Combine a trip to Cossack with stops along the Warlu Way.
- Time your visit for the Cossack Art Awards or Staircase to the Moon for an unforgettable experience.
- Cossack’s tourist facilities are currently closed, so plan accordingly and stay safe.
- Respect conservation efforts and local wildlife by staying on marked paths.
Cossack, WA: Where Past Meets Present in the Peaceful Pilbara
Cossack blends heritage, creativity and natural beauty in a stop that’s well worth adding to your Pilbara itinerary. Whether you’re staying with us at Point Samson Resort, living locally and looking for things to do in the Pilbara, or just passing through the region, a day trip to Cossack, WA is a must.
