Ponton Creek rarely flows. At 300 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) and Lake Rebecca.  The creek then flows into Lake Boonderoo (known as Yandallah Claypan prior to 1975) although this has occurred only twice since European settlement .

In 1995 the rainfall from Cyclone Bobby caused Ponton Creek to overflow into Lake Boonderoo for only the second time. This allowed for an amazing trip to and on the lake.

In September 1891 explorer David Lindsay named it Ponton Creek after its discoverers, Stephen and William Ponton.

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.

The reports of the various trips, tours and travels on the Adventures website have a lot of information about place names – their naming and features – toponymy. More information.

© Kim Epton 1995-2024
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