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Construction of the first 250 houses in what was to become the town of Tom Price
commenced in 1965. There are now over 1200 homes in the town accommodating some 3500 residents.
The town of Tom Price was named after Thomas Moore Price, an American raw minerals surveyor who was involved in early feasibility studies on behalf of the giant US company Kaiser Steel Corporation. An enthusiastic supporter of plans to develop the vast iron ore deposits of the Pilbara, he played a key role in the establishment of the industry which has seen enormous benefits to the state and nation including thousands of jobs and the construction of towns like the one that bears his name. Often described as an oasis in the desert, Tom Price has a modern shopping centre. The town was judged overall state winner of the Tidy Towns Competition in 1977, 1988 and 1992. It was also placed either first or second in its category in 1980, 1983, 1989, 1991 and 1993. Sporting facilities in the town are excellent and cater for a wide range of sports. There are tennis, basketball, net ball and squash courts, as well as three ovals, a lawn bowls green, an indoor cricket centre, a swimming pool and a golf course. During the summer months (wet season) it is hot with mostly clear days and an average temperature of 35 deg C. The highest temperature in Tom Price was 46.7 deg C, but it can be much higher in the full sun and workers on rail maintenance and road construction are one group who often experience 50 deg C. plus. The annual average rainfall is 330 mm, but more may be experienced depending on the cyclone pattern during the wet season. Winter months are very pleasant with daytime temperatures around 23 deg C, however the nights can be as low as 0 deg C. Tom Price is well catered for accommodation wise. Visitors can choose between the hotel, the lodge or the caravan park. |
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29 November, 1999 Site Designed by |
Located at the edge of the
Hamersley Ranges, 747 metres above sea level. Tom Price is the highest town in Western
Australia. 