Newlands is a townsite located in an orchard area of the south west agricultural area, 223 kilometres south of Perth between Donnybrook and Kirup. The government railway line from Donnybrook to Bridgetown was opened in 1898, and Newlands is included in the list of sidings and stations for the line in 1899. The source of the siding name is not known at present, and may have been a persons name or else referred to "new lands" being taken up in the area at that time. In 1900-01 the Imperial Jarrah Co., a sawmilling company, built a peoples hall at Newlands, and the hall was also used for a school. In 1906 the residents of the area requested secure tenure for the land on which their houses were built, and the Government decided to declare a townsite. Newlands townsite was gazetted in 1907.