Cossack, Western Australia
Cossack, known as Bajinhurrba in Ngarluma language, and formerly known as Tien Tsin, is an historic ghost town located 1,480 km (920 mi) north of Perth and 15 km (9.3 mi) from Roebourne in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The nearest town to Cossack, which is located on Butcher Inlet (also called Butcher's Inlet) at the mouth of the Harding River, is Wickham. The former Tien Tsin Harbour is now known as Port Walcott. Since 2021, the townsite is managed and operated by the Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi Foundation Ltd (NYFL).
| Cossack Western Australia | |||||||||
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The Cossack townsite, viewed from Nannygoat Hill. | |||||||||
Cossack | |||||||||
| Coordinates | 20.68°S 117.19°E | ||||||||
| Population | 14 (SAL 2021) | ||||||||
| Established | 1863 1871 (renamed) | ||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 6720 | ||||||||
| Elevation | 7 m (23 ft) | ||||||||
| Area | 67.7 km2 (26.1 sq mi) | ||||||||
| Location | 34 km (21 mi) from Karratha | ||||||||
| LGA(s) | City of Karratha | ||||||||
| State electorate(s) | North West Coastal | ||||||||
| Federal division(s) | Durack | ||||||||
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| Designations | |
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Western Australia Heritage Register | |
| Designated | 21 April 2006 |
| Reference no. | 3239 |
The area is an important cultural site for the Ngarluma, the traditional owners, who have inhabited the area for tens of thousands of years. The river mouth remains an important location for fishing and hunting traditional foods. There are many ancient petroglyphs in the area.
Cossack is the birthplace of Western Australia's pearling industry and was the home of the colony's pearling fleet until the 1880s. The town was abandoned after the 1940s, leaving substantial stone buildings in a state of disrepair. Many of the buildings are listed by the National Trust, after the town was declared a museum town.
Cossack is a popular tourism destination given its proximity to the ocean, freshwater, and distance from the North West Coastal Highway. Tourists are able to camp at Cossack or stay in the historic buildings, by booking through the NYFL, which manages and operates the town site.