Pannawonica, Western Australia

Pannawonica is a closed mining town with the major stakeholder being Rio Tinto. The iron ore from the town is transported to the coast by a private railway owned by Robe River Associates. It is shipped overseas and to the rest of Australia from the railhead at Cape Lambert. The highlight of the year in Pannawonica is the Robe River Gala where the whole town turns out for a weekend of activity including the social event of the year the Gala Ball, held in July each year. More info
Location: 198 km south east of Karratha and 1,425 km north of Perth.
Origin of name: of Aboriginal origin.
Brief history: the town was established in 1970 to provide services for those miners and their families involved in the open cut mining of iron ore in the Robe River valley. Pannawonica today has a population of 700.
Natural features: Pannawonica Hill; Karijini National Park
Built features: Rio Tinto iron ore mine