It is located approximately 86 kilometres (53 mi) south west of Port Hedland and 125 km (78 mi) south east of Karratha on the Peawah River in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
Jimmy and Harding Withnell were working on the property when they saw a crow sitting on their lunch box.
Jimmy picked up a stone to throw at the crow and noticed light reflecting off particles of gold.
This was one of the earliest reported discoveries of gold in the North West.
Mallina had suffered from several years drought, so Cooke was keen to secure new pastures.