About Cossack

These days Karratha and Port Hedland vie for the mantle of most important port in the North West of Australia. Once the North West’s bustling main port was Cossack.  Today it is a very peaceful and serene place with stunning coastal vistas and fine National Trust listed architecture.

Situated just 12 kilometres from Roebourne, Cossack was originally named ‘Tien Tsin’, after the boat which carried the first settlers to the region in 1863. The town played a key part in the development of the NW not only as a port but hosting thousands of people seeking their fortunes in the Pilbara Gold rush and was also home to Australia’s pearl shell industry.

Today Cossack is a museum town, with many of its beautiful blue stone buildings restored to their former glory. Cossack hosts a café where visitors can relax on the verandas after strolling through the town. The museum, located in the Court House building, offers a fantastic insight to the hardships and successes of the first settlers.