Travel Planner [0]
logo

(08) 9941 1146

34°C Sunny
logo
  • Home
  • Visitor Info
    • Carnarvon
      • Getting Here
      • Getting Around
      • Places to Eat
    • Carnarvon - Visitor Info 2
      • Local Businesses
      • Pet Friendly
      • Town Services & Facilities
    • Coral Bay
      • Getting Here
      • Getting Around
      • Places to Eat
    • Coral Bay - Visitor Info 2
      • Local Businesses
      • Town Services & Facilities
  • See & Do
    • Carnarvon
      • Heritage & History
      • Art & Culture
      • Local Produce, Farm Gates & Markets
      • Fishing & Boating
    • See & Do Carnarvon Separator
      • Flora & Fauna
      • Walking & Cycling
      • Beaches & Natural Landscapes
    • Coral Bay
      • Marine Life
      • Scuba, Snorkelling & Diving
      • Fishing & Boating
    • Southern Ningaloo
      • Marine & Wildlife
      • Fishing & Boating
      • Snorkelling & Swimming
      • Surfing & Kitesurfing
    • Gascoyne Hinterland
      • Kennedy Range National Park
      • Mount Augustus National Park
      • Outback Pathways
      • Flora & Fauna
  • Stay
    • Carnarvon
      • Chalets, Apartments, Hotel & Motels
      • Holiday Houses
      • Caravan & Camping
      • Station Stays & Wilderness Campsites
    • Coral Bay
      • Caravan & Camping
      • Chalets & Resorts
      • Holiday Houses
      • Station Stays
    • Southern Ningaloo
      • Point Quobba, Blowholes
      • Quobba & Red Bluff
      • Gnaraloo
      • Warroora Coast (14 Mile Camp)
    • Gascoyne Hinterland
      • Kennedy Range National Park
      • Mount Augustus National Park
    • Holiday Deals
      • #DOITINWA
      • Packages
  • Play
    • Carnarvon
      • Helicopter & Scenic Tours
      • Fishing Tours
    • Coral Bay
      • Whale Shark Tours
      • Manta Ray Tours
      • Humpback Whale Tours
      • Helicopter & Scenic Tours
    • Play - Separator
      • Snorkelling Tours
      • Fishing Tours
      • Quad Bike Tours
      • Sailing Tours
    • Western Australia
      • Australia's Coral Coast
      • Australia's North West
  • What's On
    • Featured events
    • Weekly Activities
    • Events Calendar
    • Submit an event
    • Solar Eclipse
      • Solar Eclipse Events 2023
  • Plan
    • Travel Tips
    • Travel Itineraries
      • Carnarvon
      • Coral Bay
      • Southern Ningaloo Reef
      • Gascoyne Hinterland
      • Regional Itineraries
    • Destination Guide
    • Maps
    • TV Channel
  • Contact
  • Blog

Email a Friend

Send

Heritage & History

SeeandDoHistoryHeritageCvonBanner

SeeandDoHistoryHeritageCvonBanner

Book online

HERITAGE & HISTORY 

Even the briefest stay in Carnarvon will reveal the town’s historic past. There are striking historic buildings and edifices to discover (not least, the One Mile Jetty with its brand new One Mile Jetty Centre and fascinating Heritage Precinct buildings), a railway station museum for train buffs, the Pioneer Cemetery and the elegant Fascine which runs like a tree-lined ribbon along Carnarvon’s foreshore.

CELEBRATING AN ICON 

It could rightly be said that the One Mile Jetty put Carnarvon on the map. Despite being in need of some TLC, this important part of the region's historic infrastructure has been an intrinsic part of Carnarvon's story since 1890's. 

Picture the scene. It’s 1899 and Carnarvon’s jetty is loaded with wool and livestock, sandalwood and pearl shell, waiting to be transported to Fremantle and the world beyond. What’s unusual about this relatively common-place scene is that, at the time, Carnarvon’s jetty was unique. Thanks to its long service, it enabled Carnarvon to gain the title of having the longest jetty in the north-west of Western Australia and was the first port in WA to export livestock on a commercial basis.


It was extended twice and in 1900 a tramway connecting the jetty to the town was built, allowing the transport of people and goods. In a dark chapter of its history, it was the departure point between 1908 and 1919 for Aboriginal people who were exiled to the Lock Hospital islands offshore - Dorre and Bernier islands. A new memorial has been erected close to One Mile Jetty, honouring their memories. More happily, the jetty has been a popular place for locals to fish from, swim around and use as a diving
platform. Until the 1950s, the jetty remained the safest and fastest means of transport for people, goods, supplies Celebrating an icon and produce to arrive or depart from Carnarvon - an extraordinary fact and testament to the importance of this simple structure.

The jetty is currently deemed unsafe and is closed to visitors. However, to reflect the jetty’s iconic status, a new One Mile Jetty Centre has opened, housing an exhibition created by Scott Watson and curated by Lorraine Fitzpatrick. It’s a fascinating way to explore the heritage-packed region and learn a little more about what has contributed to Carnarvon’s rich past. 

"The local hae a great deal of love for the One Mile Jetty - It was an absolute lifeline for the area because roads were so bad..." Lorraine Fitzpatrick. Click here to read the full interview with Scot and Lorraine, curators of the One Mile Jetty Centre at the Heritage Precinct with Gabi Mills. 

THE FINAL FRONTIER

Built in the shadow of the OTC Satellite dish, the Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum is marking the 50th Anniversary in 2019 of the Apollo 11 moon landing. 

It may seem unlikely, but Carnarvon will always play an important part in the story of the USA’s manned race to the moon. It was also a key part of the reason we all take watching live broadcasts from around the world for granted. It’s a double whammy of scientific excellence and is the reason why, seven years ago, Phil Youd decided to create a museum to commemorate these achievements.  Phil founded the Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum mostly, he says, ‘because it’s a good story for the town’. A passionate supporter of all things Carnarvon, until he began his passion project, he had no idea of Carnarvon’s connection to NASA’s space program.

Click here to read the full interview with Phil Youd, founder of the Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum and John McCloy, long standing volunteer in Carnarvon with Gabi Mills. 

DISCOVER MORE HISTORY & HERITAGE ATTRACTIONS

History of Carnarvon

History of Carnarvon

Carnarvon Heritage Precinct

Carnarvon Heritage Precinct

Carnarvon Space & Technology Museum

Carnarvon Space & Technology Museum

Heritage Walking Trail

Heritage Walking Trail

Bernier & Dorre Lock Hospital Tragedy

Bernier & Dorre Lock Hospital Tragedy

HMAS Sydney II Memorial & Wall of Remembrance

HMAS Sydney II Memorial & Wall of Remembrance

Gwoonwardu Mia

Gwoonwardu Mia

Book your experience with a trusted local today

Book Now
  • Home
  • Visitor Info
  • See & Do
  • Stay
  • Play
  • What's on
  • Plan your journey
  • Blog
  • Contact us
  • Corporate
    • Membership
    • TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE 2023

Connect with Us

Newsletter Sign Up

Subscribe Now

logo visitor information centre
Address 21 Robinson St, Carnarvon, WA 6701
Phone (08) 9941 1146
Email info@carnarvon.org.au
BOOKEASY MEMBER LOGIN
  • Disclaimer & Copyright
  • Privacy Statement
  • Sitemap

© 2023 Shire of Carnarvon Powered by Bookeasy, Developed by Impart Media

Subscribe to our Mailing List

It's time to Discover Carnarvon & Coral Bay

* indicates required

Area of Interest