Wickham (and Point Samson)
Modern Pilbara mining town with nearby port facilities
Located 1476 km north of Perth, 8 km from Roebourne and 7 m above sea level, Wickham was constructed as recently as 1970 by Cliffs Robe River Iron Associates. The aim was to create a processing plant for the iron ore mined at nearby Pannawonica, a port (at Cape Lambert) from which to ship the produce, and a town to house the associated employees.

The settlement was named after J.C. Wickham, the captain of HMS Beagle, who surveyed the north-west coast in 1840.

As Wickham started as a 'company town', it wasn't until the early 1980s that the local Shire of Roebourne began to assume some civic responsibilities. The local Wickham Showground was built in 1980 and a School Community Library was established in 1985. Excellent sporting facilities have also been established.

Wickham is the sort of town it is easy to pass by. With such a brief history it is rather like any piece of modern day suburbia anywhere in Australia with a large shopping centre, albeit with a nearby beach and a good lookout. The Robe River processing plant and the port facilities at Cape Lambert are of interest (view below under Things to See).

Things to see:  

Boat Beach
Not far from town (access off Walcott Drive) is Boat Beach which offers swimming and fishing and a boat-launching ramp.

Lookout
Fine views of the town can be had from Water Tank Hill (off Walcott Drive).

Point Samson
9 km north of town (along the Point Samson-Roebourne Rd) is the tiny settlement of Point Samson. In the early years of this century, as Cossack silted up and became a ghost town, Point Samson became the main port for Roebourne. It had been named after Michael Samson who was one of the first Europeans in the area, accompanying Walter Padbury in 1863. Point Samson was an important port during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The dreaded asbestos from Wittenoom was shipped out of the port until 1968 and iron ore was exported until the completion of facilities at Dampier.

Today Point Samson is a quiet but popular holiday resort with attractive ocean beaches, a beach-side park area with picnic-barbecue facilities, charter boats for excellent offshore fishing, a caravan park with camping facilities, quality restaurants and boutique accommodation. The beach is bordered by a coral reef which makes for an environment of calm waters, safe swimming, snorkelling and game fishing. Under tidal conditions the point is only connected to the mainland via a causeway over Pope's Nose Creek. At such times the tidal inlets are a rich source of barramundi, mud crabs and other fish. Nearby is secluded Honeymoon Cove and beyond is John's Harbour where there is a jetty and boat ramp. Another older boat harbour is located at Sam's Creek, 1 km before the town.

Those after prime offshore fishing can contact Point Samson Charters on (08) 9187 1052 or www.pointsamson.com (pslodge@kisser.net.au)

Cape Lambert
2 km beyond Point Samson is Cape Lambert. With its huge 3.5-km open sea wharf (one of the highest and longest open-ocean wharves in Australia) it is capable of loading three major iron ore carriers at the same time. The Port to Port Tour takes in the Robe River plant operations and port facilities, as well as the town of Cossack. Tours take place from 10.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. They can be booked through the Robe Visitor Centre on Wickham Drive, which is open from 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. from May to October. Watch for the gigantic, yellow, 170-tonne haul truck out the front.

	Apartments
	Wickham Lodge Serviced Apts 6 Wickham Dve Wickham WA 6720 Telephone: (08) 9187 1439 Facsimile: (08) 9187 1486
	Restaurants
	Wickham Sporting Club Chinese Restaurant Mulga Way Wickham WA 6720 Telephone: (08) 9187 1002
	Wickham Squash Court Burger Bar Mulga Way Wickham WA 6720 Telephone: (08) 9187 1580