[10] The word "Mallala" is derived from the Aboriginal "Madlola" – a place of the ground frog – according to South Australian historian Geoffrey Manning.

The large runs of the pastoralists were cut up into smaller holdings, which sold for £1 per acre to new settlers, and created a continuous series of small farms.

[12] Amongst the early pioneers were Messrs John Forby, Robert & George Marshman, Samuel Crouch, Peter Farrelly, H.B.

[12] A now departed industry was the East Brothers Machinery works, who for over a century manufactured farm equipment which was sold widely across Australia.

The town once had a very impressive flour mill where the townsfolk used to grind the locally produced wheat, but the building fell into disuse as the industry centralised.

[17] Later that year the then 3.38 km (2.1 mi) Mallala Race Circuit opened on 19 August 1961, and less than two months later was the chosen site for the 1961 Australian Grand Prix.

The international standard equestrian centre east of the township is the venue for national show jumping and related event competitions.

[18] Mallala is located in the federal division of Grey, the state electoral district of Frome and the local government area of the Adelaide Plains Council.