Newman

Newman WA 6753 (Pop 5 000)
Pic: by Michael Sigrist

Newman is a modern Pilbara mining town located in the Hamersley Ranges in WA’s North West. Formerly surrounded by marginal pastoral holdings, Newman was constructed in 1960s to service two huge nearby iron-ore mines (including the world’s largest, Mt Whaleback) and their workers. Located 1 184 km north of Perth, the township and nearby Mt Newman (1 053 m) were named after an early explorer. Campdraft & Rodeo (Aug), Fortescue Festival (Aug), Octoberfest (Oct).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Radio Hill Lookout, Newman Dr sweeping town and district views. Mining and Pastoral Museum, Visitor Centre. BHP Iron Ore Silver Jubilee Museum & Gallery, Visitor Centre. Mt Whaleback Mine Tours. (Mon-Sat/May-Sept and Tues and Thurs Oct-Apr.

Nearby:
Ophthalmia Dam (15 km east) pleasant recreational facilities with swimming and sailing but no camping. Mt Newman (20 km n-w) panoramic views. Eagle Rock Falls (69 km n-w) 4WD access to pretty pools and picnic areas. Wanna Munna (70 km west) Aboriginal rock etchings. Rock Pools & Waterholes include Kalgans Pool (65 km n-w), Three Pools (75 km north), Weeli Wolli (90 km west).

Accommodation:
Newman has a motel and 3 caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre: Cnr Fortescue Ave & Newman Dr. Tel (08) 9175 2888.

Airport:
Newman Airport (ZNE). Tel (08) 9175 0649.

Hospital:
Newman Hospital, Mindarra Dr. Tel (08) 9175 8333.