Balla Balla, Western Australia facts for kids
Balla Balla Station is a large cattle farm, also known as a station, in Western Australia. It is located about 138 kilometers (86 miles) north of Karratha. You can find it just off the North West Coastal Highway in the Pilbara region.
Today, Balla Balla Station is also a place for visitors. People can come here for camping and it is known as a great spot for fishing.
Balla Balla Station: A Look Back
Long ago, there was a small town called Balla Balla on the coast near the station. This town was a very important port where ships would arrive and depart.
A Busy Port Town
In 1897, gold mines at Whim Creek and copper mines at Elgin Creek grew much bigger. Because of this, the town of Balla Balla asked for a large area of land, about 30,000 acres (12,140 hectares), to be set aside as a public reserve. This area included Balla Balla Pool, which was a permanent source of fresh water for animals. At this time, many workers used over 70 camels to transport goods from the mines.
Facing Nature's Fury
The weather in this area could be very dangerous. In 1898, a powerful cyclone hit the town. Most of the buildings were destroyed, including the Post Office, the Blacksmith's shop, the Chicago Hotel, and the woolshed. The Balla Balla Hotel lost part of its roof, and several boats sank. Sadly, two people lost their lives due to flying debris.
Another big storm swept through the town in 1902. It brought a huge amount of rain, and the sea level rose almost to the town's height. Nearby Sherlock Station received about 8 inches (200 mm) of rain. The port area was badly damaged, with sand ridges washed away, leaving the train tracks exposed.
In 1907, Captain Airey, who was the master of a steamer called Penguin, surveyed the harbor. He also estimated the cost of building a causeway to connect the mainland at Balla Balla to Depuch Island.
A terrible cyclone in 1912 caused more trouble in the port. Many ships sank, and several men went missing. Ships like the Crown of England, the Enterprise, and the Clyo were all lost. However, the pearling fleet found safety in Balla Balla Creek and was not harmed. The SS Koombana, a ship sailing nearby, was also reported missing during this storm.
Gold and Riches
The Balla Balla area is rich in minerals, especially gold. Several mines operated there over the years. Before 1926, a prospector named Mr. Breen found what he called "the best" gold leases he had ever seen in the North West. A group of investors from Adelaide, called the Balla Balla Syndicate, sent Mr. Breen back to the area in 1926. They provided him with equipment to build a 10-head battery to help develop the mine and extract the gold.
