Countryside near Pannawonica

Pannawonica
An iron ore mining town in the Pilbara
Located 1429 km from Perth, Pannawonica is one of the many iron ore mining towns in the Pilbara which have been built specifically to house workers. Built and owned by Robe River Iron Associates (once known as Cliffs Robe River Iron Associates), Pannawonica provides services for those miners and their families involved in the open cut mining of iron ore in the Robe River valley. Constructed in 1970 it is home to 900-1000 people and is a 'closed town'.

It is claimed that the word 'pannawonica' which the local Aborigines used to describe a nearby hill, actually translates as 'the hill which came from the sea'. The story is that two local Aboriginal tribes were arguing over the ownership of the hill which was located by the sea. The sea spirit decided to resolve the dispute by moving the hill inland. As the hill was dragged over the land it left a deep indentation which became the Robe River.

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.

Accommodation and Eating
Pannawonica is a 'closed town'. A 'closed town' doesn't mean that it can't be visited by the public. This expression is used by mining companies to describe towns where there are no facilities for visitors (apart from fuel) and where the only accommodation available is reserved for staff of the mining company.