Cossack
WA 6720 • Western Australia
About Cossack
Cossack is a historic ghost town and protected heritage precinct located on Nickol Bay near Karratha in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, with postcode 6720. Once a thriving pearling and pastoral port in the late 19th century, the town was effectively abandoned after Port Walcott and Wickham assumed maritime operations in the early 1900s. Today Cossack has a tiny residential population of around 14, with the townsite preserved as an open-air museum of colonial-era stone buildings. Its remote Pilbara location places it approximately 1,500 km north of Perth.
Cossack attracts visitors and history enthusiasts who come to explore its well-preserved 19th-century stone buildings including the old courthouse, gaol, and bond store, all listed on the State Heritage Register. A backpackers hostel operates within the heritage precinct, and the area is popular for fishing, birdwatching, and enjoying the dramatic Pilbara coastal scenery. The nearby towns of Wickham and Point Samson provide essential services, while Karratha — approximately 20 km away — offers full regional amenities including supermarkets, schools, and healthcare. Cossack is best suited to those seeking a deeply historic and remote coastal experience.
Cossack falls under postcode 6720 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Pilbara (Mining and Pastoral) electorate.
Location
Transport & Commute
Commute to Karratha
🛣️ No public transport. Access is by private vehicle only. Karratha is the nearest regional centre; Perth is approximately 1,500 km south.
Remote heritage precinct with no walkable services or public transport.
Supermarkets Nearby
No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.
Schools
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Oleander Place