Whim Creek

Whim Creek, one of Western Australia’s (WA) historic outback mining towns, is known for its landmark attractions, including the Whim Creek Hotel and Whim Creek Cemetery. Located between Karratha and Port Hedland, this small town offers hotel accommodation and a restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. However, fuel is not available.

Historic mining town

The discovery of gold and copper in 1887 signalled the beginning of a long sporadic mining era, and placed Whim Creek in Western Australia (WA) on the map. Once the Whim Well Copper Mine (as it was originally known) was operational, the small township quickly grew to service the area. At its peak in the 1890s, the town had a population of approximately 400 people, with 130 of them working in the copper mine. In its heyday it boasted two hotels, a blacksmith, a general store, stables and a horse track, plus many more local businesses. After nearly a century, mining activity ended in 1986.

Whim Creek Hotel

Until mining activity ceased in the late nineteenth century, the historic Whim Creek Hotel, home of the original ‘Barra Burger’, was known as Delaney's Public House. During this time, it catered for weary and thirsty WA pioneers, along with its competitor, Dunns Public House (later renamed the Federal Hotel). Today, with the advent of time and many cyclones, the Whim Creek Hotel is the only building to remain standing in this historic WA town. However, memories of a bygone era are kept alive through this grand old 'Lady'. Displays of old photos and mining implements provide an insight into the town's fascinating history.

Whim Creek Industry

Straits Resources took ownership of the hotel and commenced construction of their open pit copper ore mines in 2004. This significant WA project mines two ore bodies, the Whim Creek deposit and the Mons Cupri deposit. Oxide copper ore is trucked two and a half kilometres to a processing facility located midway between the two ore bodies.

Whim Creek Cemetery

The Whim Creek Cemetery is located on the track to Balla Balla, about 18 kilometres from the town itself. The stories behind the deaths of those buried at the cemetery paint vivid pictures of the harsh conditions endured by pioneer miners in WA. Many of the men died from diseases that are now easily treated, such as mitral disease (heart disease); nephritis (kidney inflammation); gastritis; syncope (fainting); dengue and inflamed bowels. There are 24 people known to be buried at the cemetery and only two of the graves marked with headstones. In 2002 town resident Frank Woods set about restoring and beautifying the cemetery.

This is the resting place of Thomas Henry Darlington, who died aged 33, on Christmas Eve in 1911. The murder of Thomas Darlington rocked WA’s tiny outback community of Whim Creek. Darlington was heavily involved in the infant union movement, and on the night of his death, trouble had been brewing at Dunn’s pub (Federal Hotel), where the miners were celebrating the Christmas season. Unionists were against ‘scab’ labourers, and fights had broken out, culminating in Frenchman Joseph Saleno stabbing Darlington in the neck in a drunken rage. Darlington died from his injuries and Saleno was arrested and sent to Roebourne Gaol. Witnesses were then gathered in early 1912 and sailed on the Concordia and Crown of England to give evidence at the trial in Perth. A severe cyclone hit the ships and swamped them when they were near Depuch Island; all of the witnesses were lost or drowned. The bodies recovered were buried at either Depuch Island or Balla Balla. Salano was later found guilty and sentenced to three years imprisonment.

To find out more about attractions, tours and accommodation in the WA town of Whim Creek, contact the local visitor centres.

Some information presented in this website has been sourced, with permission, from the Shire of Roebourne website.