Judy Nunn captures the Pilbara in new book

Australian literary icon and former Home and Away star Judy Nunn will be visiting Karratha on Wednesday, December 3 as part of her nationwide tour for her new novel, Pilbara.

Local readers will have the chance to meet the bestselling author at the Karratha Library, with pre-drinks beginning at 5.30pm and the main event running from 6-7.30pm.

Nunn’s latest fiction novel, Pilbara, is set entirely in the region and takes readers back to the 1860s, when the area was one of Australia’s most rugged and lawless frontiers.

Her 20th novel delves into the early years of colonial settlement, long before the mining boom reshaped the modern Pilbara.

Nunn explained her fascination with the Pilbara’s history.

“It was the wild west of Australia,” she said.

“British law had barely arrived, and adventurers, entrepreneurs, and settlers made their own rules.

“The novel, set in the 1860s, explores the challenges settlers faced in a region with vast opportunities but little oversight.”

Nunn’s portrayal of the Pilbara is grounded in historical research, with a focus on the discovery of gold and the thriving pearling industry that once made the area one of the richest in the country.

For Nunn, Pilbara offers readers a chance to see a different side of the region.

“Many think of the Pilbara as a mining hub, but that only began in the 1970s,” she said.

“In the 1860s, it was a place of early colonial exploration and intense competition.

“The pearling industry was booming, and settlers flocked to the area seeking fortune.”

Her passion for the Pilbara’s history was reinforced by her own experiences in the region.

In 2006, she visited the ghost town of Cossack, once the centre of the pearling industry.

“It was fascinating to see it in ruins.” she said.

“This time, though, I found a heritage town, which brought the past back to life.”

Known for her character-driven stories, Nunn has created a gripping narrative in Pilbara, where the land itself plays a crucial role.

A WA native herself, Nunn said she is eager to return to the State as she embarks on her promotional tour.

“I’m a WA gal, so it’s great to be going to the old home State,” she said.

Pilbara is available now in bookstores nationwide.

For more information about the event in Karratha, visit karratha.wa.gov.au.