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Harding dam

Located 23 km south-east of Roebourne, Harding Dam was built in 1984 and is an important water source for the West Pilbara Water Supply Scheme which services the towns of Dampier, Karratha, Roebourne, Wickham and Point Samson.

Visitor information

Opening hours

Harding Dam is open every day of the week from 8am - 5pm. 

Recreational areas open from 9am-5:30pm.

For the latest information on opening times, or assistance during your visit to the dam, please contact 13 13 75.

To stay up-to-date on bushfire warnings and other local emergencies, visit Emergency WA.

Things to do at Churchman Brook Dam

Picnic areasBarbecuesPlaygroundToiletsParking

Have a picnic with a view

Enjoy the scenic dam surrounds while relaxing in one of the picnic areas. You can also fire up the barbecues for a sausage sizzle with family and friends.

Please note that the picnic areas can’t be booked and are only available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Get active on the lawn and nature play areas

The dam has spacious grassed areas for a game of cricket or footy, and a nature-based playground for the kids to run wild.  

Safety information

No dogsNo swimmingNo canoeingNo fishing or marroningNo campingNo lighting firesNo off-road drivingNo drones

Please follow these simple rules to protect yourself and our water supply.

  • Keep to the permitted pathways, roads, and recreational areas as shown by the signage.
  • Only bushwalking is allowed within the 1,100km2 source protection area around the Harding Dam catchment.
  • It is important that visitors to the dam avoid the 2km reservoir protection zone around the high water mark of Harding Dam, where access is not permitted.
  • Fishing, marroning, hunting, driving, littering, polluting, camping, fires, timber cutting, vegetation clearing, drones, boating or contact with the water body are not permitted.
  • Don’t climb walls, fences, bridges, pipework, or other operational infrastructure.  
  • Keep emergency and operational access gates and roadways clear.  
  • Don’t operate taps, valves or controls. 

Learn more about how we work to manage water quality.

Location and directions

  1. From Karratha, take the North West Coastal Highway towards Roebourne
  2. At Roebourne, turn right onto the Harding Dam access road and follow the signs for approximately 29km

The public access road to Harding Dam is via Roebourne. Please do not use the maintenance track as it is not regularly maintained and is for authorised access only.

Planning your visit

No, dogs are not permitted in the dam catchment area.

  • Bring enough food and water to stay hydrated while exploring the dam and its surrounds. Make sure to take all your rubbish with you.
  • Be prepared for uneven ground or walking hazards by wearing comfortable and appropriate footwear.
  • Bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun.
  • Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture the scenery!

Please note there may be limited or no mobile phone coverage in the area. We advise checking what network coverage is available with your mobile phone service provider ahead of your visit.

There are accessible toilets with ambulant cubicles that are in easy reach of the main car park, which also has designated accessible parking bays.

A bus bay and drop-off points, as well as bike racks, are also located in the lower picnic area.

Please see the map of the facilities for more accessibility information.

Please report unmarked safety hazards, suspicious behaviour, damaged facilities, or pollution to 13 13 75.

Learn more by exploring our rainfall and dams section.