[2] More recently, Ngarluma people have indicated the name may actually relate to an early interpretation of Gardarra, stemming from the sacred site for the whale, located in the Karratha area, called Gardarrabuga.
In traditional culture, the creation of the landscape occurred in a time called Ngurra Nyujunggamu, meaning 'when the world was soft'.
While certain family groups might inherit rights and responsibilities concerning particular territories, ownership primarily rested on their custodianship of the spiritual significance of the land.
[7] More recently, Ngarluma people have indicated the name may actually relate to an early interpretation of Gardarra, stemming from the sacred site for the whale, located in the Karratha area, called Gardarrabuga.
Winter temperatures rarely drop below 10 °C, while maximums stay in the mid to high 20s and days are sunny with low humidity.
The highest monthly rainfall on record was 348.8mm (13.7 in) in February 2011, owing to the passage of Tropical Cyclone Carlos and several other monsoonal lows over Karratha.
[15] In 2023, the OECD reported extreme disparity in the social and economic wellbeing between many Aboriginal people, and those working in the resources sector.
Karratha's economic base includes the iron ore operations of the Rio Tinto Group, sea-salt mining, ammonia export operations, North West Shelf Natural Gas Project, Australia's largest natural resource development, the newest Natural Gas Project called Pluto LNG which is situated adjacent the existing North West Shelf LNG facility and Ammonia/Technical Ammonium Nitrate production facility of Yara International.
Karratha came into being in 1968[16] due to the tremendous growth of the iron-ore industry and the need for a new regional centre caused by a shortage of land in Dampier.
NYFL is recognised for its programs that support food security, employment and training, advocacy and progressing Indigenous self-determination.
In 2024, NYFL entered a Memorandum of Understanding with the Australian National University to advance Aboriginal data sovereignty in the area.
The airport also serves as the hub of the Pilbara's light-aircraft and helicopter services,[24] enabling contractors to access offshore destinations and other parts of the region.
Each year in August Pilbara Iron, Dampier Salt, Woodside Petroleum Limited, and other smaller companies sponsor one of the largest festivals in the North West, over two days.
Radio services available in Karratha: Television services available include: The programming schedule is mainly the same as the Seven, Nine and Ten stations in Perth with variations for News bulletins, sport telecasts such as the Australian Football League and National Rugby League, children's and lifestyle programs and infomercials.
Seven produces a 30-minute regional news program each weeknight (broadcast from Bunbury) with a newsroom based in the town, covering the surrounding areas.
Soccer has 5 teams: Bulgarra Glory, Karratha Snow Whites, Nickol, Dampier Red Dogs and Salt.
West Pilbara Cricket Association has 6 teams: Karratha Kats, Baynton Lions, Rec Club, Dampier Taverners, Wickham Wallabies and Pegs Creek Crabs.