Carnarvon is a coastal town situated approximately 900 kilometres north of Perth, Western Australia. It lies at the mouth of the Gascoyne River on the Indian Ocean. The popular Shark Bay world heritage area lies to the south of the town. At the 2006 census, Carnarvon had a population of 5,283.

The town was founded in 1883, initially as a port and supply centre for the surrounding region, and is the administrative centre for the Shire of Carnarvon, the town site was officially gazetted on 4 June 1891. It was named after Henry Herbert, 4th Earl of Carnarvon, Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Carnarvon has had three tramways.

The first, shown on a Public Works Department map of 1884, ran from a landing site on the river, across Olivia Terrace to a shed on the other side of the road - A very short tramway indeed. The trolley used on this tramway was supposed to be hand powered, using a lever attached to crank on two of the wheels. However there is a reference to the use of wind-power.
The second tramway, constructed between 1886 and 1887, ran west from Cleaver Terrace in a straight line to the jetty, which was half way between Mangrove Point and Conspicuous Clump. It was horse drawn.
The third, and partially remaining, tramway was completed on 9 November 1900. It runs from the townsite, across Babbage Island to the deep-sea jetty. It was constructed with a rail gauge of 2 feet (610 mm). It was 2 miles 5 chains (3.3 km) long. Due to the heavy loads of wool being carried on what was a very light railway, it was decided to convert the tramway to 3 feet 6 inches (1,067 mm) gauge in 1908–09. This tramway was worked with a steam locomotive. The tramway ceased operation in 1965.
The Carnarvon Light Railway Association now operates trains along restored tracks on the jetty.

Carnarvon has a warm to hot semi-arid climate. Average yearly rainfall is 226 millimetres (8.90 in) with the rainiest months (and the most reliable rainfall) being in May and June. Occasionally tropical cyclones will influence Carnarvon and bring very heavy rain, high temperatures and strong winds but apart from this erratic source of rainfall summers are otherwise dry. Temperatures range from an average maximum of 33 °C in February to 22 °C in July. Average minimums are 23 °C and 11 °C respectively.

Main industries of the area include:

mining, at a salt mine on nearby Lake MacLeod and at inland mines.
agriculture, particularly bananas (mainly cavendish bananas) and tomatoes, wool, cattle, sheep and goats.
fishing (major focus is a prawn fishery), tourism.

During the 1960s, NASA set up a tracking station nearby to support the Gemini and Apollo space program. The tracking station was closed in the mid 1970s. Only the foundations of what was an historical site remain. See also OTC Satellite Earth Station Carnarvon.

Radio Australia had a shortwave relay station (built during the 1970s) that used to relay programming to Europe, South Asia and South East Asia.

On 20 May 1988, the bulk carrier Korean Star ran aground in bad weather near Cape Cuvier, within the port limits of Carnarvon. Around 600 tonnes of fuel oil were spilled into the ocean. Damage was limited to 10 km of remote beaches and coastline. The ship was not salvaged and left grounded, however very little of the wreck remains to be seen.