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The view of Newman, Western Australia, from above
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Newman02.JPG
Paebi, Michael Sigrist
Newman is a small town in the Pilbara region, in the central northwestern part of Western Australia. Located just 9 km north of the Tropic of Capricorn, Newman is an isolated town surrounded by desert. It is 1,186 km (737 mi) north of Perth. It has a population of around 5,000 people (2012 estimate).
Newman was established due to discovery of rich deposits of iron ore at nearby Mount Whaleback. Until the Mount Newman Mining Company created it in the 1960s, the area was a marginal cattle country. The town was named after nearby Mount Newman, which in turn was named after 19th century explorer A.W. Newmon, who died of typhoid upon reaching the area in 1896.
Gorgeous landscape of Karijini National Parkhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Karijini1.jpgBäras
Due to the mining activities in the Newman area, a railway line was built linking it to Port Hedland, which itself saw rapid development due to mining. On 21 June 2001, a 7.353-km-long train made its way from Newman to Port Hedland. It comprised 682 ore cars and had eight locomotives powering it.The isolation has kept Newman pristine, and today its panoramic expanses are attracting visitors and photography enthusiasts to admire the landscape, flora and fauna.
Dales Gorge, in Karijini National Parkhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Karijini7.jpgBäras
Visiting Newman
There are flights by Qantas to Newman from Perth. Expect the fares to be quite high. Book well ahead of travel to get the best price.
Places of Interest in Newman
- BHP Billiton Mt Whaleback Mine Town
The world's largest open-cut iron mine that was started after prospector Stan Hilditch discovered vast deposits of iron ore there in 1957. - Hickman Crater
Probable meteorite impact crater discovered only in 2007 from browsing Google Earth. The crater is 260 m wide and 30 m deep, and is believed to be between 10,000 and 100,000 years old. It is 35 km north of Newman. - Karijini National Park
Protected park of breathtaking landscapes, with gorges and water courses. It is located 2 hours from Newman on the Great Northern Highway (Route 95).
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