William Creek isn’t just a dot on the map – it’s a full stop in the middle of Australia’s most spectacular emptiness. This is a tiny South Australian outback town, with a permanent population that hovers around six people. This speck of civilisation has become one of Australia’s most talked-about destinations, and for good reason. Forget everything you think you know about small towns, and I love remote towns. William Creek redefines the concept entirely.
Here, the nearest neighbour is Anna Creek Station – the world’s largest cattle station, sprawling across 23,677 square kilometres. That’s larger than Israel, and seven times bigger than America’s famous King Ranch in Texas.
The town exists within this pastoral giant, a tiny island of services surrounded by an ocean of red dirt and endless sky. This is where you physically breathe remotely. It’s one of those quirky towns that you should definitely put on your ‘todo’ travel list.
The Geography of Isolation
William Creek occupies a unique position that makes it both strategically important and wonderfully remote. Located 204 kilometres northwest of Marree and 166 kilometres east of Coober Pedy, the town serves as the essential halfway point on the legendary Oodnadatta Track.
The Oodnadatta isn’t just any outback road – it’s a 617-kilometer adventure that follows ancient Aboriginal trading and water routes used for thousands of years.
Traditional Lands and Ancient Pathways
Arabana Country — Ngurabanna
William Creek lies on Arabana Country. The Arabana tribal name is Ngurabanna — ‘the land of the mound springs.’ This is referring to the Great Artesian Basin springs that sustain life across this desert. Colonisation disrupted and removed Arabana people from key spring places as pastoral leases spread from the 1850s.
The Overland Telegraph was driven through Country in 1870–72, and the Central Australia Railway (Old Ghan) was laid along the spring line from 1889. If you look closely you can see remnants throughout the area.
Fencing, stock impacts and controls from pastoralists and the laws restricted access to water for many Aboriginal families. Several people were then displaced or concentrated around places like Finniss Springs mission/station. The government-era removals further separating people from Country.
In 2012, the Federal Court recognised Arabana Native Title over ~68–69,000 km², including the lake portion of Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre National Park. The park is now co-managed, with strong cultural authority guiding access and protection.
Importantly, under the new park management plan, recreational access to the lake bed is banned — no walking, driving, or boating without permission. Rangers enforce these rules with fines. Visitors are asked to view the lake respectfully from designated points or take a scenic flight.
Respect Arabana Country (Ngurabanna)
- William Creek lies on Arabana Country; please travel with care and permission.
- Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre is co-managed with Arabana custodians.
- No lakebed access: recreational walking, driving, or boating is prohibited without permission. Use designated viewing points or take a scenic flight from William Creek.
- Stay on formed roads/tracks, obey closures and ranger directions, and do not disturb mound springs.
- Leave no trace: carry out rubbish, use toilets where provided, and keep detergents/soaps away from water.
- Check current park advisories and on-site signage before you go.
William Creek: A Brief History
1859: John McDouall Stuart names nearby water features after William Chambers.
1888–89: Old Ghan (Central Australia Railway) opens; siding and settlement form.
1896: Telegraph repeater links the outback to the world.
1935: William Creek Hotel licensed
2010: Wrightsair grows the town’s flight scene.
2017–19: Mobile coverage arrives (Optus, then Telstra).
Trevor Wright’s impact on William Creek
Pilot and tourism operator Trevor Wright has been the driving force behind modern William Creek. After founding Wrightsair in the early 1990s to run scenic and charter flights from William Creek over Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre and the Anna Creek Painted Hills, he purchased the William Creek Hotel in 2012. He built the main hangar the same year, and by 2015 owned most of the town’s property. He single-handedly helped turn a remote town into a reliable visitor base with accommodation, fuel and flights in one place. His work promoting outback aviation and tourism has been recognised with a South Australian Tourism Awards Hall of Fame (2018).
Today, Wrightsair continues to operate from William Creek, showcasing the lake and Anna Station Painted Hills to travellers from around the world.
William Creek Hotel
The William Creek Hotel is the beating heart of this tiny outback town, sitting squarely on the Oodnadatta Track and surrounded by the vast Anna Creek Station. First established as a boarding house in 1887 and later licensed in 1935, it has served travellers, drovers, and railway workers for well over a century.
Its walls are crammed with memorabilia, relics from the Old Ghan railway, and quirky outback artefacts, making it part pub and part living museum. Today it’s heritage-listed and widely recognised as one of Australia’s most iconic outback pubs.
Over the years, the hotel has evolved alongside the region’s story — from its early role as a railway stop and post office to becoming a hub for adventurers, pilots, and tourists exploring Lake Eyre and the Painted Hills.
Whether you’re after a cold drink, a hearty meal, a room, or any accommodation at all in the town, William Creek Hotel offers more than just a place to stay — it’s a piece of outback history that continues to welcome travellers from across the globe.
How to Get to William Creek
Before planning the drive, note that much of the surrounding country around William Creek is located within the Woomera Prohibited Area. This is Australia’s vast Defence test range. Public roads like the Oodnadatta Track and William Creek Road are generally open, but off-road access is restricted and occasional closures occur. The area is clearly posted.
There are still excellent, lawful stop-offs. Lake Cadibarrawirracanna, know as Lake Cadi, has a permitted access track/lookout. You’ll pass a string of roadside monuments—Old Ghan and telegraph markers, memorials, and rocket-range relics—that map the story of this landscape. Take your time; out here, the journey is as rewarding as the destination.
- From Coober Pedy → William Creek (William Creek Rd): 166 km east on an unsealed road; allow 2–3 hours. Coober Pedy has the last major services/sealed-road hub before the dirt. This road is really well maintained when I travelled along it in September 2025. Suitable for a 2 wheel drive.
- From Marree → William Creek (Oodnadatta Track): ~204 km NW on the unsealed Oodnadatta Track. Allow up to 3 hours
- From Oodnadatta → William Creek (Oodnadatta Track): ~203 km SE; no towns/services in between—plan fuel, water, and two spares at least. Definitely only 4×4 access.
Road status: Check SA Outback Roads for closures and restrictions before you go; operators along the Oodnadatta Track post local updates.
Notes: The Oodnadatta Track follows the Old Ghan/Overland Telegraph corridor; expect rough sections even with regular maintenance—lower your tyre pressures and drive at conservative speeds. Read my post on Travelling in the Outback
HOT TIP for Travelling in Remote Australia
If your car breaks down STAY WITH YOUR CAR; STAY WITH YOUR CAR; STAY WITH YOUR CAR; STAY WITH YOUR CAR; STAY WITH YOUR CAR!!
This is remote Australia and it can be harsh. If you stick to the main drag and tell someone where you are going someone will come by. I have a Garmin that my trusted people can locate me and I can use it to text if I need support. EPIRBs or PLBs are money well spent + I have Starlink outback internet. I carry at least 20L of water at anytime. Go prepared. Read my Outback Australia the Ultimate Road Trip Guide: 10 Basics You Need to Know before you head out remote.
Gateway to Kati Thanda – Lake Eyre
What makes William Creek’s location truly special is its proximity to Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, Australia’s largest salt lake and the continent’s lowest point at 15.2 meters below sea level. The town serves as the closest permanent settlement to this natural wonder. This makes it the ultimate launching pad for one of Australia’s most extraordinary experiences.
When Lake Eyre fills – which happens completely only three times every 160 years – William Creek becomes ground zero. The town’s strategic position provides unparalleled access to viewing this rare natural phenomenon, whether by road or by air.
In September 2025, Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre was at ~70% coverage but only ~55% capacity—an inland sea without being “full.”
Permits and Passes for Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre.
The pub at William Creek advised that you must have a current South Australia Desert Pass to enter Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre. The Information Centre in Coober Pedy advises you can buy this at the pub, but that is incorrect. The pub will tell you to purchase it online. They used to sell these, but now they don’t. Go to the National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia site to be ahead of the game.
You need a Desert Pass if you are camping at Lake Halligan or visiting for the day.
‘The Desert Parks Pass includes unlimited vehicle entry and camping in ….Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park; …. 2025 Desert Parks Passes.
You still need to book a site. The road can be rough from William Creek to Kati Thanda – Lake Eyre. You can camp at Lake Halligan. It was extremely windy and exposed when I was there, so be warned. Allow 90 minutes to get out there. The landscape out that way is SPECTACULAR.
Rangers are frequently visiting this area and issuing hefty fines. Be smart.
Things to Do in William Creek
1. Scenic flights over Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre + Anna Creek Painted Hills
Book with Wrightsair from the all-weather airstrip in town. One-hour to half-day options show flow patterns, colour changes and bird concentrations. You can also book flights from Coober Pedy.
I am not a great ‘booker in advance’ type of girl. When I arrived in the shoulder season, I found a flight that was available, which suited my timeframes. I would have liked to have seen Anna Creek Station’s Painted Hills, but that wasn’t possible. I was destined for the 2-hour trip over Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre. It was fabulous. If you are travelling this way in peak season, I would recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment.
2. Halligan Bay Point visit and/or Camping
This is the closest ground viewpoint from William Creek of Kati-Thanda- Lake Eyre. Turn-off ~7 km south of town, then ~60 km of 4WD-only track to Halligan Bay Point. This is an exposed site and very very windy at times. Watch your awnings. Long-drop toilets and picnic tables. No fires. Bookings required via SA Parks. Lake bed access is prohibited; view from the shore or take a flight.
Remember you MUST purchase a Desert Pass before going out there
Seasonal closure: Halligan Bay route is closed 1 Dec–15 Mar.
3. William Creek Hotel
Iconic outback pub and the town’s social hub. Meals, fuel, accommodation, and walls layered with travellers’ mementos. William Creek Hotel
4. William Creek Memorial Park (“open-air museum”)
Quick wander opposite the pub. Old Ghan and telegraph relics, and rocket-range memorabilia tied to the Woomera era.
5. Sunrise, sunset and star-gazing
Vast horizons and low light pollution. Environment SA ranks Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre among SA’s top dark-sky spots.
FAQ
Who are the Traditional Owners?
The Arabana people (and Dieri to the east) hold native title and cultural authority over the park; the name Kati Thanda recognises this.
Can I walk on the lake?
No. Recreational access to the lake bed is prohibited under the current management plan; fines apply. View from designated nodes or the air.
How “remote” is William Creek?
Fewer than 20 residents, halfway along the Oodnadatta Track, inside Anna Creek Station—the closest service hub to Lake Eyre. It’s very remote.
Are flights worth it?
Yes. The only way to understand the lake’s scale and see flow patterns, colour changes and bird concentrations is from the air. Book with Wrightsair in town or online. I do take a few flights on my journey around the country, but this one is a must. I don’t say that about all tourist flights, and I’m not getting kickbacks. Definitely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
What about fuel and accommodation?
Both are available at the William Creek Hotel (rooms, glamping, campground). Book ahead in peak season and during flood events on the Lake. The camping ground is directly across the road from the Hotel. I swagged it, but there are glamping tents and powered and unpowered sites as well. Facilities are clean.
Can you get to William Creek with a 2 wheel drive from Coober Pedy?
Yes. Check road conditions before you go. The more traffic on the road, the choppier it gets. But it is a well-maintained road. Check at the visitors centre in Coober Pedy before heading out.
Verdict
William Creek may be little more than a dot on the map, but it captures everything the outback is about — remoteness, resilience, and raw beauty. From the heritage-listed William Creek Hotel to the vast skies over Lake Eyre, this tiny settlement offers a stop that’s as much about the experience as the destination. Whether you roll in dusty from the Oodnadatta Track, touch down on the airstrip for a scenic flight, or simply wander the memorabilia-lined pub walls, William Creek leaves its mark. It’s a reminder that in the outback, the smallest places often hold the biggest stories.
