It is located about 56 kilometres (35 mi) south-east of the town of Devonport.

The 2016 census determined a population of 37 for the state suburb of Needles.

[1] The locality was named for Needles Ridge[note 1] to the south.

[2] Lobster Rivulet, a tributary of the Mersey River, forms the north-western boundary, while Leiths Creek, a tributary of the Meander River, forms the south-eastern boundary.

[3] The B12 route (Mole Creek Road) enters the locality from the north-east and exits to the west.