Ponton Creek rarely flows. At 316 kilometres in length it is a long creek – longer than many watercourses that are termed ‘river’. Its source is the overflow from Lake Raeside (Western Australia’s longest lake at 275 kilometres in length) and Lake Rebecca.  The creek then terminates at Lake Boonderoo (known as Yandallah Claypan until 1977). Flow of the creek into Lake Boonderoo has occurred only twice .

In 1995 the rainfall from Cyclone Bobby caused Ponton Creek to overflow into Lake Boonderoo for only the second time in recorded history. This provided the opportunity for an amazing boat trip to and on the lake in September of that year.

In September 1891 explorer David Lindsay named it Ponton Creek after its discoverers, Stephen and William Ponton. Lindsay referred to it as “the dry river mentioned by Newman and discovered by the Ponton brothers”.

The watercourse was also known as “Goddard Creek” and “Yandallah Creek”.

While examining country east of Lake Lefroy, Surveyor W.P. Goddard discovered the south end of the creek and this caused it to be named after him.

In 1919 a Mines Department geologist, H.W.B. Talbot, crossed the centre of the creek and gave it the local aboriginal name of Yandallah.

The confusion over the name of the creek continued until 1964 when the name of Ponton Creek was adopted. And the name Yandallah Claypan was attached to the low lying area where Ponton Creek ended. For many years the claypan was used as a small airstrip for Boonderoo Station. The claypan was renamed Lake Boonderoo in 1977 after it flooded in 1975.

Download course of Ponton Creek from:
Lake Raeside to Tropicana Highway.
Tropicana Highway to Trans Australia Railway.
Trans Australia Railway to Lake Boonderoo.

Read about other rivers in Western Australia and Australia.

 

© Kim Epton 1995-2025
331 words, one image.

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