Restoration of Millstream (Karratha) homestead

A paperbark hut, dragonflies and the geology of the Pilbara are just part of a $165,000 restoration of historic Millstream homestead, south-east of Karratha.

The result is a visitor centre with graphic displays of the surrounding Millstream-Chichester National Park.

Environment Minister Bob Pearce today officially opened the new centre, which is expected to become popular with the more than 60,000 people who visit the park each year.

"This project has combined our desire to preserve the homestead and to provide an important service for park visitors," Mr Pearce said.

"The visitor centre is not just a museum, but part of our management strategy for the area.

"Informing people about the park's many attractions increases their enjoyment and helps enlist their support for conservation."

The present homestead was built in 1914 and for decades was the focal point of a sheep and cattle station.

Restoration work included re-roofing and repainting the building, whose lease was bought by the Department of Conservation and Land Management in 1986.

Among the displays is a room devoted to the Yinjibarndi Aboriginal people, the traditional custodians of the Millstream area.

The Settler's Room houses a reconstructed station hands' hut and a recorded history by Doug Gordon, whose family were associated with Millstream station for the 50 years from 1914.