Caravan park open after $450k upgrade

An upgraded Whaleback Village caravan park has been officially opened in Newman, just in time for the caravan convoys to arrive in the Pilbara.

Staff from the Shire of East Pilbara, councillors and Newman Chamber of Commerce and Industry toured the short-term facilities on Newman Drive at an official opening by BHP last Thursday. Designed for the peak tourism season, the caravan park has housing for 100 people but retains a maximum stay of 14 days, with conditions of no pets and no open fires. It has 12 powered sites, campers’ kitchens, 10 unpowered sites and a camping area, with more than $450,000 spent by BHP to upgrade the facility.

“It’s an amazing time of the year to visit and explore Newman and the broader Pilbara region,” BHP general manager Kate Osborn said. “BHP is proud to be able to continue our support for the Newman community and its visitors by upgrading Whaleback Village’s short-term caravan park and reopening it to the public.”

BHP-owned Kalgan’s Rest Caravan Park, which has been open to tourists for short-stay accommodation, was closed after the Whaleback Village opening so further improvements could be made.