Port Headland to Newman

Sandi Rogers · Member

Port Headland to Newman

yobarr · Guru

Sandi Rogers wrote:
Hello lovely travellers
Calling for assistance to stop doing my head in. We are travelling from Gold Coast and geading to Derby. All is planned however I want to go to Newman and see mines etc and wondering about Tom Price. Need to stay on blacktop.
I was thinking Port Headland (is there another place to stay coming from Broome for 1 night)
then either Tom Price then to Newman
is it worthwhile Tom Price or go to Newman
Then suggested places to stay Newman
Newman to Kumarina roadhouse, then Meekathara roadhouse, Wiluna (gravel I think), leinster, Burracoppin or Merredin to Hydne for wave rock, Kalgoolie then home
Hope that is not asking too much for feedback

Hi Sandi seems nobody can help yet, so tomorrow I'll tell of my experiences in this area. Best mine is at Kalgoorlie, with Wave Rock a disappointment and Hyden a rip off. Nice trip from Hyden to Norseman, but all dirt. Tomorrow. Cheers

-- Edited by yobarr on Tuesday 11th of April 2023 04:40:56 PM

elliemike · Guru

Sandi Rogers wrote:
Hello lovely travellers
Calling for assistance to stop doing my head in. We are travelling from Gold Coast and geading to Derby. All is planned however I want to go to Newman and see mines etc and wondering about Tom Price. Need to stay on blacktop.
I was thinking Port Headland (is there another place to stay coming from Broome for 1 night)
then either Tom Price then to Newman
is it worthwhile Tom Price or go to Newman
Then suggested places to stay Newman
Newman to Kumarina roadhouse, then Meekathara roadhouse, Wiluna (gravel I think), leinster, Burracoppin or Merredin to Hydne for wave rock, Kalgoolie then home
Hope that is not asking too much for feedback

Have you Got Camps 11 or the Wikicamps App on your phone.

It's all in there.

Camps Books will show you the Maps and the road surface is indicated.

All the places you list are connected by sealed roads, but you might have to do some long detours in places to stay on the bitumen for say Wiluna from Meekatharra, or Merredin - Hyden.

Everywhere is worth Looking at in Western Australia.

Newman has a new Caravan park as well as the oval or Visitor Centre.

Having worked on mine sites they have no interest for me, but I have heard some who have done trips (Newman, Kalgoorlie, Pinjarra) at them say how wonderful they are or it was a disappointment. It's how you find it I suppose.

Even Marble Bar is accesible by Sealed Road if you go in and out the same way.

Broome to Port Hedland quite a few places. Camps 11.png Wiki Camps.png

-- Edited by elliemike on Tuesday 11th of April 2023 04:52:11 PM

-- Edited by elliemike on Tuesday 11th of April 2023 04:54:34 PM

Cuppa · Guru

I haven't done the mine tour at Tom Price, but it is there & quite popular I believe. https://tompriceau.rezdy.com/405306/rio-tinto-iron-ore-mine-tour Not my sort of thing.

However the area is one of the absolute jewels in the Australian crown & not to be missed. Karijini NP, & Hammersley gorge. We drove to both in a motorhome a number of years back so quite do-able. Best is to walk in the gorges, but if walking is not an option there are a number of lookouts. Allow at least a few days if you can.

Tom Price itself is nicer to stay in than Newman, we have camped in both. Newman has some good shopping with quite amazing selection at the supermarket.

TheHeaths · Guru

Tom Price well worth seeing.

Mine tour excellent.

Karijini magnificent.

Cant comment about Newman, but the roads are good.

You must go.

Cassie63 · Senior Member

Drove the Norseman to Hyden gravel road last week. Was in good condition, sat on about 75km/hr all the way. Stopped for lunch at disappointment rock and called into lake Johnston. Wave rock is over rated at $12 entry fee. Anyway did it and bought the sticker.

Cassie63 · Senior Member

Drove the Norseman to Hyden gravel road last week 293kms. Was in good condition, sat on about 75km/hr all the way. Stopped for lunch at disappointment rock and called into lake Johnston. Wave rock is over rated at $12 entry fee. Anyway did it and bought the sticker.

Cassie63 · Senior Member

Drove the Norseman to Hyden gravel road last week 293kms. Was in good condition, sat on about 75km/hr all the way with the van on. Stopped for lunch at disappointment rock and called into lake Johnston. Wave rock is over rated at $12 entry fee. Anyway did it and bought the sticker.

Cassie63 · Senior Member

By the way there is a cyclone brewing up nth wa at present.

Bicyclecamper · Guru

Well, when we did Wave rock, it was done by an local aboriginal ranger, and it was great, just us 2 and him, it also cost $6 ea, so back in 2005. He was very informative, played a didg, didn't expect me to knowhow to play, Later we had an impromto jam session at the rocks c.van park with his brother on guitar, which the other vanners enjoyed for more then 3 hours. We had a ball, it may not be worth it today, but if the locals are doing it, it is cheap.

gold dandelion · Senior Member

Tom Price is much nicer than Newman, however you need to back track, the same for Wiluna and Leinster south and then out to Kalgoolie, I would buy a map and have a look where your planned destinations are.

woolman · Guru

Either or for Tom Price and Newman. Don't miss Karajini, you can stay at Dale's gorge camp ground staying on sealed roads. Base the van there and day trip to the other gorges. I rate Karajini as the top must see in Australia, but you need a minimum of a week off grid camping ability. There is bore water available at Dales gorge vistors centre with advice to boil before use, the rangers didn't nor did we as good quality water. You could do the Western end of Karijini based in Tom Price caravan park without too much of a problem.