Newman, in the heart of the Pilbara, is your gateway to the adventure playground of Karijini National Park, with its epic chasms and pool-filled gorges. It’s also where you can get up close to an equally awe-inspiring man-made spectacle – Mount Whaleback Mine, the largest open-cut iron ore mine in the world.
This welcoming mining and tourism town is 1,184 kilometres north of Perth – that’s a short one hour and 45 minute flight or 13 hour road trip from the State’s capital.
Karijini National Park lies further north along the Great Northern Highway and is home to myriad ancient natural treasures. Enjoy easy access hikes to view waterfalls rushing down rugged canyons, or take a refreshing dip in a rock pool in a whisper-quiet gorge, or explore winding Weano Gorge and venture into ‘The Centre of the Earth’.
Back in Newman, you can take a tour of an altogether more man-made wonder – the world’s largest open-cut iron ore mine, Mount Whaleback – and marvel at the sheer size of BHP Billiton’s operation and mining machinery.
Drop in to the visitor centre to learn more about the area’s natural and cultural attractions, including the local waterhole, the Ophthalmia Ranges and nearby Aboriginal rock art. At the centre you’ll find an art gallery, interpretative displays, the Outdoor Mining Museum and an arts and crafts shop featuring an extensive range of locally made and Western Australian products.
With its laidback country vibe, Newman boasts all the facilities you’d expect of a modern town – a host of restaurants, bars, pubs and even the Pilbara’s first golf course. Similarly, you’ll find a wide range of accommodation options, from hotels, lodges and cabins to caravan parks, camping sites and hostels, making it an ideal base to explore and experience the Pilbara.
Visit between July and September and you’ll also witness the wonder of wildflower season, when the countryside is carpeted with colourful flora.