Halls Creek isn’t built for casual tourism. It’s remote, rugged, and real.
This small town in Western Australia’s East Kimberley sits between Kununurra and Fitzroy Crossing. It’s a base for some of the country’s most dramatic natural features — Wolfe Creek Crater, the Bungle Bungles, and remote gorges.
So, is it worth visiting? Absolutely. If you’re coming off the Tanami, this is your first proper stop for fuel and supplies. Coming from the Bungles or Kununurra? It’s still a key stop before you head further into the interior. So come along with me as we explore this wee town.
History: Gold Rush Roots, Older Than Time
First — Country
The Jaru, Kija, Kukatja, Walmajarri, and Gooniyandi people have called this land home for thousands of years. Their songlines, ceremonies, and bush knowledge shape the land and still guide many locals today.
Old Halls Creek
In 1885, Charlie Hall found a gold nugget near a small creek. Word got out fast. Within weeks, thousands of hopefuls poured into the area. Old Halls Creek became Western Australia’s first inland gold rush town. At its peak, it had a post office, racecourse, police station, and even a cordial factory.
But the Kimberley isn’t kind to dreamers. The country was harsh, the water scarce, and the gold didn’t last. Most prospectors left empty-handed, as they did in most places. Those who stayed turned the place into a supply town — supporting cattle stations, Aboriginal communities, and passing drovers.
By the mid-1900s, the old town had become too isolated. When a new airfield was built in 1948 — closer to the Great Northern Highway — services began shifting. Bit by bit, the town followed the transport. The police station was the last to move, relocating in 1954. The shift wasn’t symbolic — it was survival. In the outback, you go where the access is.
Old Halls Creek was officially abandoned, but it remains an open-air museum of Kimberley resilience. You can still walk through the ruins of Old Halls Creek — crumbling stone buildings, rusting ironwork, a graveyard, and a few weathered street signs. It’s quiet, dry, and brutally honest about how tough life was out here.
You can camp nearby and explore the site at your own pace — no signs telling you where to look, no fences keeping you out. Just red dirt and the remains of a town that refused to vanish quietly.
Russian Jack
Russian Jack (John ‘Russian Jack’ Novokoff) is a Kimberley legend — a gold prospector and bushman remembered for an act of extraordinary mateship. In 1886, while travelling between Halls Creek and Wyndham, he pushed his gravely ill mate 300 km in a homemade wheelbarrow to get him medical help. His feat became part of local folklore, symbolising the grit and camaraderie of the outback. Today, a statue honours his endurance and loyalty.
Jack Jugarie
Jack Jugarie was a respected Djaru Elder, stockman, and community leader. His life reflected the strength and spirit of the Kimberley. He was born in 1927 and he worked on cattle stations across the region. Later, he became Halls Creek’s first Aboriginal Police Aide. Jack also served as a bush tracker and hospital orderly and was an artist at the Yarliyil Art Centre.
In 1996, he drew national attention in the ABC documentary The Human Race. He trekked over 350 km from Wolfe Creek Crater to Wyndham at more than 70 years old. He carried only a swag and a litre of water. His “Walk Against Grog” sent a powerful message about living strong without alcohol, and today a statue in Halls Creek Town Park honours his remarkable legacy.
Things to Do
Walks and Hikes
- Sawpit Gorge Trail – 3 km return, moderate terrain.
- Wolfe Creek Rim Walk – 3.5 km loop. Flat but rocky. Bring water.
- Caroline Pool Walk – 2 km return, easy, great for families.
- Halls Creek Old Town – wander around the original Halls Creek
Camping
There are several camping sites available including freedom camping facilities. Check out Halls Creek Shire for the up-to-date places to camp.
There is no camping in Halls Creek. The caravan park has closed but there are two hotels with restaurants attached if you want to get out of your swag or van for a few nights.
Halls Creek Lookout
The Halls Creek Lookout is the premium place to witness the sunrise and sunset over the Kimberleys. To your west is the mighty Moola Bulla Station and the township is on the other side.
Top Natural Attractions Close By
Bungle Bungle Range (Purnululu National Park)
The Bungle Bungles are unlike anything else in Australia. They are World Heritage-listed, striped sandstone domes that rise like beehives from the ground. Hidden in the southeast corner of Purnululu National Park, they remained largely unknown to outsiders until the 1980s.
The Bungle Bungles turnoff is about 110 km from Halls Creek — but that’s the easy part, as it’s all on bitumen. But don’t get confused: the real journey starts after the turnoff. From there, it’s 53 km to the visitor centre, and that stretch will take you 90 minutes to 2 hours.
It’s a rough, corrugated track with several small water crossings. But don’t let that put you off — the drive in is half the adventure. Access is 4WD only, and you’ll want a high-clearance vehicle. Take it slow, pack your gear properly, and be ready for basic facilities.
But the reward is huge: deep gorges, cathedral-like chasms, seasonal waterfalls, and walking tracks that give you access to some of the most otherworldly terrain on the continent.
Caravans: I don’t have a caravan but I have noticed there is a spot where several caravans are left. This is by the turnoff.
The domes are sacred to the Kija people, who’ve lived in and cared for this land for thousands of years. The name “Purnululu” means “sandstone” in the local language. With permission and guidance, you can learn the Dreaming stories tied to specific formations, waterholes, and paths.
For a detailed guide to hiking, camping, and what to expect, check out The Bungle Bungles: Western Australia’s Hidden Secret — it breaks down the park’s must-sees and how to get there.
Wolfe Creek Crater (Kandimalal)
This remote meteorite impact site — one of the largest on Earth where fragments have been found — holds serious presence. Measuring 880 metres across and around 60 metres deep, it formed when a meteorite struck the Earth at extreme speed roughly 300,000 years ago.
Known to scientists as Wolfe Creek Crater and to the Jaru people as Kandimalal, this place carries both scientific significance and cultural weight. According to Dreaming stories, it marks the point where the Rainbow Serpent emerged from the ground.
It’s also gained pop culture status from the Wolf Creek horror film. But even without the movie reference, it stands on its own as a stark, haunting landscape that draws serious travellers.
To get there, drive 150 km south of Halls Creek along the Tanami Road. Only attempt it with a high-clearance 4WD. Conditions are rough and can turn quickly, especially after rain.
The rim walk is 3.5 km around. It’s rocky, exposed, and offers constant shifts in perspective — desert on one side, crater on the other. Good shoes, water, and sun protection are non-negotiable.
There’s a basic campground next to the crater. Facilities include a long-drop toilet and a few shared fire pits. No water, no power. Sunset and dawn are the best times for photos — the light across the crater rim is sharp and clean.
For detailed travel tips, check out this Wolfe Creek Crater guide.
Duncan Road: Scenic Shortcut to the NT
Duncan Road is a corrugated, unsealed track that runs north from Halls Creek toward the Northern Territory border. Originally built as a beef road to support the cattle industry, it now serves as an adventurous shortcut between Halls Creek and the Victoria Highway — offering a quicker crossing into the NT for those with the right vehicle.
You’ll need a 4WD. It’s rough in sections, especially after the wet. But for experienced travellers, Duncan Road delivers access to some of the region’s most underrated locations, all in one stretch.
Here’s what to see as you travel the route:
Halls Creek Rodeo Grounds
Just outside Halls Creek, the Rodeo Grounds come alive each July for one of the biggest annual events in the East Kimberley. For most of the year it’s quiet, but during rodeo season it transforms into a bustling meeting place for communities from across the region.
Helicopter Memorial
A short distance up Duncan Road, a modest memorial honours five people who lost their lives in a 2008 helicopter crash near Ruby Plains Station. It’s a somber but meaningful stop that reflects the risks and resilience of life in remote Australia.
China Wall
China Wall is a natural white quartz formation that cuts through the red Kimberley soil like a raised scar. It stands out sharply against the landscape and stretches for hundreds of metres. You can actually see sections while heading to Kununurra. This exposed quartz vein has become one of the most photographed geological features near Halls Creek.
Unfortunately, the tourist information board, that explains the area, is under repair. Hopefully the Shire can get that fixed so you can get the full experience.
The access point is just off the main sealed road about 6kms from Halls Creek. Beyond the gate, there’s a 1.5 km unsealed track that’s usually suitable for 2WD vehicles. Remember to shut the gate as you are on station land. Caravans can also turn around at the site with ease. The track is short, flat, and manageable in dry conditions.
Caroline Pool
Caroline Pool is a shaded, natural waterhole that served as a key water source during the gold rush era. These days, it’s a peaceful spot for a swim or a picnic, especially just after the wet season when water levels are at their best. It’s a great spot to have lunch if you are passing through. It’s about 10 minutes from town
Stone Cottage at Sophie Downs
When you head to Caroline Pool there is a fork in the road. Left is for Caroline Pool and right is the way to this well preserved stone cottage on Sophie Downs Station. Built from local materials and now abandoned, it offers a glimpse into the challenges of surviving in the outback a century ago. Again you will be heading into pastoral country so please shut the gates. The sign itself is a bit dusty so keep a watchful eye out for it. You come to a dead end then walk 100m over a small creek and viola. History awaits.
The Event That Sparked the Royal Flying Doctors Service
On 29 July 1917, stockman Jimmy Darcy was injured in a cattle stampede at Ruby Plains Station, about 50 km south of Halls Creek. His horse rolled on him, crushing his body. With no doctor on site, his mates loaded him into a cart for a brutal 12-hour ride to Halls Creek.
There was no hospital. No clinic. Just Fred Tuckett, the local postmaster, who had a first aid certificate. Tuckett gave morphine and sent a telegram to Dr Joe Holland in Perth. Holland diagnosed a ruptured bladder and instructed Tuckett—via Morse code—on how to operate. Tuckett performed the emergency surgery with a razor and pocket knife.
At first, it worked. But Darcy worsened. Dr Holland then set out from Perth, boarding a cattle ship to Derby, then continuing by Model T Ford, sulky, and horseback. The journey took two weeks and covered over 3,700 km. He arrived a day too late. Jimmy had died from complications and malaria.
Darcy’s death triggered national attention. It exposed the brutal reality of medical isolation in the outback. The story reached Rev. John Flynn, who turned the tragedy into action. In 1928, he launched the first Aerial Medical Service. It later became the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
There’s a memorial to Jimmy Darcy in Old Halls Creek Pioneer Cemetery, near where it all happened. It marks the spot where one young stockman’s death forced Australia to rethink how it delivers medical care in remote areas.
Palm Springs
About 45 km north of Halls Creek along Duncan Road, Palm Springs is a clear, spring-fed waterhole surrounded by rocky outcrops and desert palms. It flows year-round, fed by an underground spring, and offers a reliable cool-down stop in the heat of the Kimberley. I have swam there and it is beautiful. Check after wet season for crocs, obviously.
Once part of the old stock route, Palm Springs provided a vital water source for drovers moving cattle across the region. Today, it’s a quiet spot for swimming, resting, or just soaking up the stillness.
The site has space for bush camping, but there are no formal facilities — no toilets, water, or bins. Fires may be allowed depending on conditions, but check for current restrictions.
Sawpit Gorge
Sawpit Gorge is one of the most scenic spots along the Duncan Road. It’s a narrow, rocky gorge carved through layers of red stone. Situated about 70 km northeast of Halls Creek Sawpit Gorge is definitely worth a look. This offers the wary traveller a quiet escape with space to swim, walk, or set up a bush camp. This is one of my fav spots in the area. I have been here a few times and only once have I encountered other people.
The access road is unsealed but usually in good enough condition for high-clearance 2WDs during the dry season. There are limited facilities here — drop toilets, no bins — so you’ll need to bring everything in and take everything out.
It’s a great place to cool off in the hotter months and one of the lesser-known stops in the region. The natural pools vary depending on rainfall, but even in the dry, the gorge has a rugged beauty that makes it worth the detour. Best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon, when the light hits the gorge walls just right.
If you are lucky you will see a small ‘freshie’ swimming around as well.
Cultural Experiences
Yarliyil Art Centre
Community-run. Real art, not mass-produced souvenirs. Pieces reflect Country, law, and Dreaming stories. Meet artists, learn stories, buy direct.
Where to Stay and Eat
Halls Creek offers two main accommodation options. Both are clean, practical, and give you a good rest between long drives and day trips.
Kimberley Hotel
Spacious rooms, a pool, and a big green lawn — rare in the outback. Just off the highway with secure parking and air-conditioned rooms.
Kimberley Grande Restaurant & Sports Bar
Steaks, schnitzels, burgers, and classic Aussie pub food. The bar runs sports on TV, serves cold beer, and is a go-to spot for locals and travellers alike. Wednesday is a pool competition, Thursday is quizz night and Karaoke on a Sunday. The meals are great, the surroundings are relaxing and the staff are fabulous.
Halls Creek Motel
Smaller and more budget-focused. Still clean, air-conditioned, and centrally located. Walkable to the Visitor Centre and local shops.
Russian Jacks Bar & Brasserie
Hearty meals — meat dishes, curries, pasta. Casual, reliable, and consistent. Named after a gold rush-era folk hero who pushed a wheelbarrow across the region.
Trip Planning Tips
When to Go
- Dry Season (May–October): Cooler temps, better road access.
- Wet Season (Dec–March): Hot, humid, and many roads flood — but the land comes alive.
Getting There
- Via the Great Northern Highway. Distances are long. Fill up often.
- 4WD needed for Bungle Bungles, Wolfe Creek, and most gorges.
- From the Duncan Highway from the NT definitely 4WD
- Tanami Road from Alice Springs this is your first major stop
Food Supplies
Stock up in town: fuel, water, food, first aid. The next big towns are Kununurra going east and Fitzroy Crossing or Broome going west.
In Halls Creek there is an IGA that is fully stocked and Coles Express with minimal supplies. Coles Express regularly have free-range eggs that are at city prices.
Connectivity
This is predominantly a telstra town. Starlink is your friend in the Kimberley’s.
Check out my post on Outback Australia the Ultimate Road Trip Guide: 10 Basics You Need to Know
Visitor Centre
2 Hall Street. Open Tue–Fri 8am–3pm, Sat 8am–12:30pm. Free Wi-Fi, maps, bookings, and info. The lady that runs the Visitors Centre is a local, and a fountain of knowledge. This is where you’ll get information on anything and everything associated with the area.
Is Halls Creek safe?
The key is common sense — stay vigilant, trust your instincts, and travel with awareness. Halls Creek, like many remote places, rewards those who respect its rhythm and stay sharp.
Stick to public areas, lock your vehicle, avoid walking around late at night and fuel up during the day. If you’re camping, use known spots like Caroline Pool, Palm Springs, or Old Halls Creek.
Police and emergency services are based in town, and the hospital has an emergency department and a GP service. Mobile coverage is limited outside town, so plan ahead if you’re going off-grid.
In short: Halls Creek is like any other remote outback town — but it’s no Kansas, Dorothy. It’s the Outback. Stay sharp, tune in, be smart — and you’ll be fine.
As a solo female traveller, would I stay in Halls Creek?
Yes — but only in a hotel, no camping grounds in town. I’ve stayed at both the Halls Creek Hotel and the Kimberley Hotel on different trips. Of the two, the Kimberley Hotel feels safer — it’s gated, has security on site, and a nice pool. In my opinion, it is the safer option.
That said, Halls Creek has a high crime rate, including break-ins, property damage, and youth crime, including car theft . It’s not somewhere I would linger, as a solo female traveller, by choice. I check in, fuel up, restock, get pharmacy supplies and move on.
If you’re travelling self-contained, I’d recommend Old Halls Creek, about 15 km east of town. It’s quiet, scenic, and well away from town activity — a solid pick for an overnight stop. Another option is Mary Pool Rest Area. This is popular with travellers, though best get there early as this place fulls up.
If you’d prefer formal accommodation outside Halls Creek, Warmun Roadhouse, Kununurra, or Derby offer safer and more settled overnight options.
Is Halls Creek Worth Visiting?
If you want real outback and geology that humbles you — yes.
Halls Creek isn’t for everyone. But for those who prepare, slow down, and look deeper — the area is unforgettable. It is a strategic stop.
