The Pilbara region of Western Australia has traditionally been known as one of the world’s oldest places by Aboriginal Australians, the world’s earliest continuous surviving civilization. Finally, research has confirmed this.

Stromatolites, the preserved evidence of the Earth’s oldest lifeforms that date back to around 3.6 billion years ago, were discovered in the Pilbara rock, so old that it has no fossils. The region’s massive iron-rich rock formations that scientists proclaimed to be the best-preserved example of the world’s most prehistoric crust, existed before oxygen and life itself. Surprisingly, the world’s largest living stromatolites system is still alive and well in the hypersaline bay of Hamlin Pool, just south of Shark Bay, in the Pilbara. The Pilbara features one of the world’s most beautiful national parks, despite its appearance as a semi-arid desert. Deep beneath Karijini National Park are ancient valleys and sheer-sided chasms, where stunning waterfalls and crystal-clear puddles are hidden among the striated granite carved out of the ground by billions of years of erosion.

The Pilbara’s strong history adds to its appeal. There are no crowds, fences, buildings, or other modern-day sights; instead, you will find an ancient location guarded to begin your journey of discovery.