Tom Price
Town
Population 2721
The huge iron-ore deposit now known as Mount Tom Price was discovered in 1962 in the heart of the Pilbara, after which the Hamersley Iron Project was established. A mine, two towns (Dampier and Tom Price) and a railway line between them all followed. Today, the town is an oasis in a dry countryside. On the edge of the Hamersley Range at an altitude of 747 metres, this is the state's highest town, hence its nickname of 'Top Town in WA'.
Visitor Information
Central Rd; (08) 9188 1112
Nearby national parks
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Karijini National Park
Set in the Hamersley Range in the heart of the Pilbara, the vast Karijini National Park is an ancient landscape of massive mountains and...more -
Millstream Chichester National Park
Millstream–Chichester National Park in the western Pilbara protects two very different landscapes: in the north lies the rocky,...more -
Mount Augustus National Park
At 8 kilometres long, 1106 metres high and covering an area of 4795 hectares, Mount Augustus is the biggest rock in the world. It may not be...more
Nearby towns
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Newman
Located in the heart of the Pilbara, Newman was built in the late 1960s by the Mount Newman Mining Company to house the workforce required...more -
Roebourne
Named after John Septimus Roe, Western Australia's first surveyor-general, Roebourne was established in 1866 and is the oldest town on the...more -
Karratha
Karratha is the Aboriginal word for 'good country'. Founded in 1968 as a result of expansion of the iron-ore industry, Karratha was...more
Nearby
Karijini National Park Karijini was the name given to this area by the original inhabitants, the Banjima. The second largest national park in Western Australia, this park features ochre-coloured rock faces with bright-white snappy gums, bundles of spinifex dotting the red earth and chasms up to 100 m deep. The waterfalls and rockpools of Karijini offer some of the best swimming in the state. The park protects the many different wildlife habitats, plants and animals of the Pilbara. The landscape is dotted with huge termite mounds and the rock piles of the rare pebble mouse; other species include red kangaroos and rock wallabies, and reptiles from legless lizards to pythons. Kalamina Gorge and Pool is the most accessible gorge, while at Hamersley Gorge a wave of tectonic rock acts as a backdrop to a swimming hole and natural spa. Oxer Lookout reveals where the Joffre, Hancock, Weano and Red gorges meet. Mt Bruce, the second-tallest peak in the state, offers spectacular views and interpretive signs along the trail to the top. The Karijini Visitor Centre is located off the road to Dales Gorge and has information on camping. 50 km E.
Kings Lake: constructed lake with nearby park offering picnic and barbecue facilities (no swimming); 2 km W. Mt Nameless Lookout: stunning views of district around Tom Price; 6 km W via walking trail or 4WD track. Aboriginal carvings: thought to be 35 000 years old; 10 km S. Mine tours: marvel at the sheer enormity of Hamersley Iron's open-cut iron-ore mine; bookings essential, arrange through visitor centre. Hamersley Iron Access Road: this private road is the most direct route between Tom Price and Karratha via Karijini and Millstream national parks. It requires a permit to travel along it; available from visitor centre.Travellers note: To the north-east is Wittenoom, an old asbestos-mining town. Although the mine was closed in 1966, there is still a health risk from microscopic asbestos fibres present in the abandoned mine tailings in and around Wittenoom. If disturbed and inhaled, blue asbestos dust may cause cancer. The Ashburton Shire Council advocates avoidance of the Wittenoom area.
Cafes & restaurants around town
Campsites around town
Hamersley Gorge Truck Bay 54 km
There are no facilities at this truck bay as it is suitable for an overnight stop only, equipped with your own gas/fuel stove and drinking water. It is at the junction of Nanutarra–Wittenoom Rd, 900 m north of... Find out moreKarijini Eco Retreat camping area 60 km
This camping area affiliated with the Eco Retreat is on Banjima Dr, 20 km west of the visitor centre and 22 km north-east of the west entry point. Visitors will find a good range of facilities in a bush environment.... Find out moreDales camping area 82 km
Dales camping area is in a gorge among lush, shady vegetation near the Fortescue River, 9 km east of Banjima Dr and 8.4 km north of Karijini Dr. Visitors need to bring a stove and water. Swimming at the nearby Fortescue... Find out moreStargazers camping area 139 km
This area is an overflow campsite with only basic facilities; come with a gas/fuel stove and drinking water. The camping area is on Snappy Gum Dr, north of the Millstream–Yarraloola Rd. It is on the western... Find out moreMiliyanah camping area 142 km
Bring a gas/fuel stove and drinking water to Miliyanah camping area. It is opposite the park visitor centre, and offers a good range of facilities in a bush setting.... Find out moreCrossing Pool camping area 143 km
Crossing Pool camping area has a good range of facilities around large shady gum trees on the banks of the Fortescue River, a great spot for fishing, swimming and canoeing. Bring a gas/fuel stove and drinking water with... Find out moreSnake Creek camping area 160 km
Snake Creek camping area offers basic facilities in a natural bush environment off the Roebourne–Wittenoom Rd, via an access track 1.5 km east of the Python Pool track. The site is 40 km north of the... Find out moreBalla Balla (Bulla Bulla) camping area 222 km
This small camping area is 20 km north of North West Coastal Hwy, set among trees on the river. It suits self-sufficient campers who enjoy fishing; you need to bring in firewood, drinking water and preferably a portable... Find out moreCleaverville camping area 240 km
Cleaverville Beach camping area is an ideal spot for self-sufficient campers who enjoy the beach. Visitors will find dispersed sites in a large area behind the dunes on the foreshore of a pristine beach that offers good... Find out moreCaravan parks around town
Auski Tourist Village 99 km
Part of the Auski Roadhouse complex, this is a convenient base from which to explore Wittenoom and the gorges in Karijini National Park. It is a good basic park and accessible along bitumen roads, whereas access to some... Find out moreWhaleback Village 213 km
This park has a high proportion of semi-permanent residents associated with the mining industry. It retains about 30 tourist sites, all on lawn, with the normal services. A nearby tavern serving good meals is just a... Find out moreNewman Caravan Park 214 km
This park has recently undergone a refurbishment and is a spacious place with good facilities for tourists. Both parks in Newman are owned by the same group and this one is our preference.... Find out moreThe Cove Caravan Park 236 km
A sparkling newer park by the coast, this place is proving very popular as a tourist destination in the quiet seaside community of Point Samson. There are good amenities and these are still expanding. Bookings are... Find out moreHotels, motels & B&Bs around town
Rest areas around town
Dales Camp Area 82 km
T/O 158 km N of Newman (L) or 36 km S of Munjina (R) Large area located 29 kilometres west of the highway and 17 kilometres north-east of Karijini Drive in a natural bush setting in Karijini National Park. Good shade.... Find out moreAlbert Tognolini Rest Area 100 km
178 km N of Newman (R) or 16 km S of Munjina (L) Large area 1.5 kilometres east of the highway at the lookout with spectacular views of the gorge. Limited shade. GSP: S22 29.388 E118 44.391 ... Find out moreMount Robinson Rest Area 116 km
107 km NW of Newman (R) or 87 km SE of Munjina (L) Large secluded area located 700 metres off the highway in a pleasant setting at the entrance to a small gorge. Limited shade. GPS: S23 02.34 E118 50.57... Find out moreBea Bea Rest Area 130 km
44 km N of Munjina (L) or 206 km S of South Hedland (R) Secluded area well off the highway in a pleasant creekside setting. Limited shade. GPS: S22 00.600 E118 48.933... Find out more
