Things to do in Onslow, WA: What are the best attractions?

The best things to do in Onslow, WA, include admiring the vast salt pans, walking the Ian Blair Memorial Walkway to sunset beach and fishing at Beadon Creek.

Onslow, WA, is a coastal town in the Pilbara region. Getting there requires a considerable diversion off the main highway. But that’s not to say this Western Australian town doesn’t have anything to interest visitors.

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Things to do in Onslow, WA: Good Shed Museum

The town was initially built at the mouth of the Ashburton River as a port for the wool coming from the nearby sheep stations. However, the river silted up, and Onslow was moved 18km away. The Good Shed Museum was one of the few buildings that was moved, shifting location in 1925. This museum now attempts to tell the town’s history, which features an unfortunate number of cyclones.

The main reason to visit Onslow is the fishing. Beadon Creek, the Ashburton River and Sunset Beach are notoriously good fishing spots, while many like to take their own boats out to the nearby Mackerel Islands.

Mackerel Islands ferry

It is possible to visit the Mackerel Islands without your own boat, but you need to be well prepared. The Mackerel Islands ferry departs twice a week – on Tuesdays and Fridays – for a 45 minute crossing costing $60 each way. The Mackerel Islands Resort on Thevenard Island is one of the most strikingly unusual places to stay in Australia. The beach is essentially private, and it’s a place to live out those Robinson Crusoe desert island fantasies.

Things to do in Onslow, WA: Sunset Beach

Other things to do in Onslow include enjoying some beach time. Sunset Beach is the favoured swimming and snorkelling spot, although you should be aware that this is the southern end of crocodile territory. Sightings here are rare, but saltwater crocs have been spotted around Onslow in the past.

You can reach Sunset Beach via the Ian Blair Memorial Walkway. This boardwalk starts at the Beadon Point Lookout, and winds its way through the natural vegetation.

Onslow salt pans

It’s likely, however, that the most memorable aspects of Onslow will come on the drive in. Along the Onslow Road is the Onslow Salt Field. This gargantuan salt-production operation operates with 90 square kilometres of twinkling salt flats, and the occasional salt mountain.

Also on the way in are several substantial termite mounds. You can see them from the special Termite Mound Viewing Area just off the Onslow Road.

The best Onslow accommodations include the spacious Onslow Beach Resort aparthotel and the Discovery Parks Onslow holiday park.