Newman - Tom Price - Pannawonica - Parabadoo
Where Men Move Mountains
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    The iron ore company towns of the Hamersley Ranges are modern, clean, well designed towns built in remote outback country.  NEWMAN
    Newman takes its name from Mt Newman, a peak 1053 metres above sea level Mt Whaleback is now the largest single open-cut Iron Ore Mine in the world. Newman is a modem town with a population of approximately 4,500. Take in the vast rugged surroundings from Radio Hill Lookout and the peak of Mt Newman or experience the beautiful sunsets over the Ophthalmia Dam, a large expanse of red water. Barbecue facilities at the Dam make this an excellent picnic spot. Explore the natural beauty of natural waterholes, ancient Aboriginal art sites and an abundance of flora and fauna.

    TOM PRICE
    The proximity of the town to the spectacular Hamersley Range and an opportunity to view the open cut mining operation make the town a popular stopping point. Take a drive out to Hamersley Gorge or do a half-day tour of Mt. Sheila and Hamersley Gorge, take a trip up Mt. Nameless and can enjoy magnificent views from the summit. Use Tom Price as a base while visiting the breath taking Karijini National Park.

    PARABURDOO
    Paraburdoo was derived from the Aboriginal name "Piru-Pardu" which literally means 'meat feathers'. Aboriginals used this name because of the abundance of white cockatoos in the area. Iron ore is the local industry. The ore is mined by Hamersley Iron Pty Ltd and is transported by rail to the company's port at Dampier. From there it is shipped to Europe, Japan, China and other Asian countries. The 79km drive from Paraburdoo to Tom Price is one of the most scenic in the Pilbara.
 
The Backpackers Guide to WA says:- 
Tom Price, Paraburdoo and Pannawonica offer tours of the mines where the visitor can see huge machinery being used in the initial stages of producing millions of tonnes of iron ore for export to overseas markets. A booking at the appropriate tourist bureau is essential but the tours are free of charge, courtesy of the mining company involved. 

The modern town of Tom Price was built for the employees of Hamersley Iron who have since bought their homes. The town boasts a modern shopping centre and all sports are catered for. Excellent accommodation is provided at Hillview Lodge. There is also a hotel and a caravan park. 

Perched on the edge of the Hamersley Ranges at 747 metres above sea level, Tom Price lays claim to being the top town in Western Australia, while Mount Nameless, four kilometres out of town at 1,127 metres, is not far short of being the highest point in the State. Drive carefully to the summit for it is an unsealed high gradient climb, however, the panoramic views of the mining activities and the surrounding countryside make the trip well worthwhile. 

Hamesley Iron welcome visitors to inspect their massive mine operations and view the huge machinery used to extract raw iron ore from their open cut mine – bookings are essential. 
Tom Price is the biggest town in the area and is the idea base from which to visit the many gorges that have made the area so well known to visitors from around the world including Yampie, Kalmina, Joffre Falls Lookout (3km walk), Oxer Lookout which provides spectacular views of the junction of four gorges while Gordon Falls with a drop of 57 metres (magnificent after rain) is one of the largest in the State. 

Paraburdoo has a hotel-motel and caravan park whilst Pannawonica has a hotel and one of Australia’s smallest caravan parks (four bays). Budget priced meals are readily available in all three towns whilst the pubs have the usual counter meals. 
Besides the mine tours, all three towns are good base camps to the magnificent gorges of the Hamersleys. 

Many land-based tours as well as charter air flights can be booked at the tourist bureau for the gorges and other points of interest. Included is Millstream, which is the true oasis. Rising out of the stark red, dry iron ore country, this sub-tropical paradise is a photographic bonanza. 
Large trees, water lilies, ferns, palms and tiny colourful flowers surround the beautiful lake, which is host to a multitude of bird life. 
Millstream was the initial source of commercial and domestic water supplies to nearby Karratha, but this is now piped from the Harding River Dam.

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