Balla Balla was once located near the Balla Balla river mouth which acted as a port for the Whim Creek Copper Mine

The traditional owners of the area are the Ngarluma peoples, who inhabited the region around the Balla Balla, the Maitland and the Sherlock Rivers

The river name was recorded in 1878 by John Forrest (1847-1918), who was surveying the area at the time.
The name is believed to be aboriginal in origin and is thought to come from the Kanyarra word Parla which means mud

The river rises on the southern side of Yirrakulanna Hills and flows in a north easterly direction crossing the North West Coastal Highway near the Whim Creek Stranger mine then finally discharging into Balla Balla harbour near Depuch Island in the Indian Ocean.

The river is ephemeral and can be completely dry in the summer months, but during periodic flood events the water level can rise over 5.5 metres (18 ft). It has three tributaries including; Whim Creek, Louden Creek and Caporn Creek


on 20th March 1912 the "Crown of England" was wrecked on a reef during a cyclone off Balla Balla, Depuch Island. Eight of her crew were lost

the Balla Ball Cemetery is located on the track to Balla Balla on a small hill prior to going down onto a mud flat.
It is about 18km from Whim Creek (Whim Creek was renowned for its alcoholic camel which used to drink patrons' beers before being relocated to Wiluna, suffering from cirrhosis of the live)

Some of those buried here were witnesses to a murder. The murder victim was Thomas Henry DARLINGTON who, on 23 December 1911 aged 33, was stabbed in the neck by Frenchman Joseph SALENO during a drunken brawl. Thomas Darlington is buried at Whim Creek cemetery
Saleno was arrested and sent to Roebourne Gaol and witnesses to the murder were sent by ships to Perth to give evidence. The ships never arrived as they foundered near Depuch Island when a cyclone came roaring in. After all the carnage he had been responsible for Saleno only received a 3 year sentence


Andriasen, C. P.
- 22 March 1912 aged 56
- he was a Sailor on the Crown of England

Boloe, H.
- 14 April 1914 aged 20
- a sailor who died aboard the schooner 'Merlin' off Depuch Island

Gron, H.
- 22 March 1912 aged 17
- he was a cabin boy on the Crown of England

Hammand, J. H.
- 11 January 1898 aged 53
- he was a labourer who drowned accidentally at Balla Balla

Harris, W.
- 10 October 1912 aged 30
- he was a fireman, he died from a back injury

Hill, T. J.
- 22 March 1912 aged 33
- his is the only headstone at this cemetery

McHenry, V. J.
- 26 November 1901 aged 33
- he was an accountant and died at the Balla Balla hotel from a heart attack

Maginius, E. P.
- 22 March 1912 aged 36
- he was a wharfinger

Pitsikas, J.
- 22 March 1912 aged 23
- he was a sailor on board the Crown of England.