Newman

Newman lies on the Country of the Nyiyaparli people in Western Australia's eastern Pilbara, on the Great Northern Highway about 1,180 km north of Perth. The town was built in the late 1960s to house workers for the Mount Whaleback iron ore mine, and it remains a mining town. For travellers it is a reliable stop for fuel, food and repairs, and a base for Karijini National Park and the remote eastern Pilbara.

Mount Whaleback and mining

Mount Whaleback is one of the largest single-pit open-cut iron ore mines in the world. Ore is railed several hundred kilometres north to Port Hedland for export. Mine tours have been offered from the visitor centre in the past; check with the Newman Visitor Centre whether tours are currently running, as they depend on the mine operator.

Things to do in Newman

• Radio Hill Lookout. A short drive from town, with views over Newman, the ranges and the surrounding spinifex country. Good at sunset.
• Ophthalmia Dam. A dam just outside town used for picnics, birdwatching and kayaking. Swimming rules and water levels vary, so check signs on site.
• Martumili Artists. Martu artists from communities across the Western Desert work with this art centre, based in Newman. Visiting an art centre is the most ethical way to buy Aboriginal art; see our guide to buying Aboriginal art.
• Newman Visitor Centre. Information on local walks, waterholes and road conditions.
• Eastern Pilbara landscapes. Ranges, gorges and waterholes surround town, but many are on pastoral or mining land with access restrictions. Ask at the visitor centre before exploring.

Karijini and the Pilbara

Karijini National Park lies to the north-west, with deep gorges such as Dales, Weano and Hancock. Many travellers combine Newman with Tom Price on a loop through the park. Further north, Marble Bar is known as one of Australia's hottest towns.

Newman is also the jumping-off point for the very remote Karlamilyi National Park (Rudall River). This park is for experienced, self-sufficient travellers only. Read our remote-area travel safety guide first.

Getting there

Newman is on the sealed Great Northern Highway between Meekatharra and Port Hedland, and is a stop on the inland Perth to Darwin road trip. Newman Airport has flights to Perth. Expect long distances between fuel stops and road trains on the highway.

Where to stay

Newman has a caravan park, motels and hotel accommodation. Mining work can fill rooms during the week, so book ahead.

When to visit

May to September is the best time, with warm, dry days. Summer temperatures are extreme, and tropical cyclones and heavy rain can affect the Pilbara between about December and April.

Life in a Pilbara mining town

Newman was built as a company town by the mining consortium that opened Mount Whaleback, and much of its layout dates from that era. Today, many workers fly in and out from Perth on rosters, while others live in town with their families. That mix shapes life in Newman: accommodation can be scarce during the week, and services are geared to mining.

The Nyiyaparli people are the Traditional Owners of the Newman area, and Martu people from the Western Desert also have strong connections to the region. The Martu were among the last Aboriginal peoples in Australia to have contact with Europeans, and many Martu artists now work through Martumili Artists in Newman.

Suggested day in Newman

Start with a sunrise drive up to Radio Hill Lookout. Mid-morning, visit the Newman Visitor Centre to ask about tours, waterholes and road conditions. Spend time at Martumili Artists if it is open. In the afternoon, head to Ophthalmia Dam for a picnic and birdwatching, then return to Radio Hill or another lookout for sunset.

Tips

• Book ahead for accommodation, especially midweek.
• Watch for road trains and wandering stock on the Great Northern Highway.
• Carry water and fill up before heading to Karijini or north to Port Hedland.
• Respect access rules. Mining leases and rail corridors are off limits.

Distances from Newman

Newman is a long way from anywhere, so plan your days carefully. Port Hedland is about 450 km north. Tom Price is about 270 km to the north-west. Meekatharra is around 425 km south. Check fuel availability at roadhouses on the way, and avoid driving at dawn, dusk and night, when kangaroos, cattle and other animals are most active on the road. See our kangaroos and driving safety guide.

Fuel, phones and medical help

Newman Hospital is on Mindarra Drive (phone 08 9175 8333) and is run by WA Country Health Service. According to the Shire of East Pilbara's health directory, the dental clinic, PathWest laboratory and population health services are on the same street.

Travelling with kids

Children may enjoy the giant haul truck on display in town and short walks around Newman's lookouts.

More to see around Newman

The Shire of East Pilbara's suggested itinerary covers more sights around town:

• Mount Whaleback mine tour. A two-hour BHP tour of what the shire calls the world's largest single open-cut iron ore mine. It departs from the Newman Visitor Centre.
• Stanley and Ella statue. A 12 m cut-steel statue overlooking the town. It honours Stan and Ella Hilditch, who found the Mount Whaleback iron ore while prospecting for manganese.
• East Pilbara Art Trail. Works by 30 local and emerging artists, displayed on BHP substations around East Newman. Each artwork has a QR code with the artist's story.
• Kalgan Pool. About an hour and a half from Newman in the eastern Ophthalmia Range, for swimming, barbecues and camping. It was a filming location for the film Japanese Story.
• Gingianna Pool. A paperbark-lined pool that the shire says 2WD and 4WD vehicles can reach.
• Hickman Crater. A meteorite impact crater with a rim about 250 to 270 m across. Arthur Hickman found it on Google Earth in July 2007. Access is by 4WD via Marble Bar Road and takes about two hours.

The shire notes that Newman is Nyiyaparli Country, and that Nyiyaparli and Martu people live in the town together. Check road conditions and carry water before heading out of town.

Practical information

• Distance: about 1,180 km north of Perth on the Great Northern Highway.
• Best time: May to September.
• Related: Karijini, Tom Price, Marble Bar, Perth to Darwin, Outback WA.