 A railway to Waroona was built and the local Progress Association sought the declaration of a townsite for the company's employees.The town was initially gazetted as Leschenault in 1921, but this name was seen as too confusing because of the name's connection with Bunbury.It was then renamed Garbanup, but the Railway Department complained as this was too similar to Dardanup, so in 1923 it changed again to Lake Clifton.