The castle’s entrance –
the result of Sam’s many years of hard work


The Sam’s Island Preservation Group has been
running educational tours to the island for
the past 15 years

Almost half a century after it was begun by a lone Yugoslavian immigrant, a ‘castle’ on Sam’s Island off Dampier has been restored by a group of passionate members of the local community. 

Sam Ostijic built the castle on the island, along with several other structures, lush gardens and even a veggie patch.

Sam moved to Australia in 1960, after fleeing his war torn home of Yugoslavia.  He arrived in the Pilbara soon after, eventually settling in Dampier. 

He began constructing his castle in 1966 – laboriously building layer after layer of rock walls and carting soil, timber and provisions from the mainland.  His work continued even after breaking his back in an industrial accident in the early 1970s. 

Sam always welcomed visitors to his island home and once commented that “everyone has a dream and I had one about building a castle”.

Following his death in 2005, the Sam’s Island Preservation Group was established to firstly arrange Sam’s burial on the Island and then to preserve his legacy. 

The Group wanted Sam’s story to be told and remembered, so it was important to make the Island safe for public access.

The Shire of Roebourne then accepted the challenge of managing the Island under a sub-lease arrangement and has worked closely with Rio Tinto Iron Ore and the Preservation Group to make this project a reality. 

The picturesque Sam’s Island lies off the Dampier coast

Restoration works have recently been completed, thanks to the combined efforts of local industry and businesses, local government and community members. 

The Shire’s involvement has been integral to the success of this project and they are currently in the process of establishing a local law specifically designed to protect the Island.

The Group was overwhelmed with support for the project, including a donation of $20,000 from Rio Tinto Iron Ore.

“Sam’s Island is a fantastic education resource for children and an interesting part of our local history,” says John Lally, representative of the Sam’s Island Preservation Group, who has been taking children to the Island for the past 15 years.

“I am very proud of how the community has come together to make this project happen.  Many people have recognised the importance of Sam’s Island to the area and more than $120,000 has been contributed in time and goods to make the Island safe”.

“Not one person we approached for assistance refused,” he adds.