Halls Creek

Halls Creek is a rugged outback town in Western Australia, perched on the edge of the Kimberley region along the Great Northern Highway. It’s a place of deep Indigenous history, gold rush relics, and dramatic red-rock landscapes that feel a world away from the coast. For self-drive travellers, it’s a practical stop for fuel and supplies, but those who linger will discover ancient gorges, boab trees, and a fascinating frontier past.

Highlights & What to See

• China Wall – A striking natural limestone formation that resembles the Great Wall, just a short drive from town. Best seen in late afternoon light.
• Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungle Range) – One of Australia’s most surreal landscapes, with beehive-shaped sandstone domes. Accessible via the unsealed Spring Creek Track (4WD essential).
• Old Halls Creek – Explore the historic gold-mining settlement with its cemetery, stone ruins, and the site of the first gold discovery in Western Australia (1885).
• Caroline Pool – A permanent waterhole in a rocky gorge, perfect for a refreshing dip. Watch for freshwater crocodiles basking on the rocks.
• Boab Prison Tree – A massive, hollow boab tree used as a holding cell by police in the 1890s. A poignant link to the region’s Indigenous and colonial history.
• Palm Springs – A serene, palm-fringed oasis with clear water and a sandy beach, ideal for a quiet swim.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most travellers pass through in a few hours – enough time to see China Wall and grab supplies. However, to appreciate the area fully, plan for at least one full day, which allows you to explore Old Halls Creek, Caroline Pool, and the Boab tree. If you’re heading to Purnululu, budget two to three days to tackle the rugged drive and walk the gorges. Halls Creek is a gateway, not a destination, but it rewards those who pause.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Purnululu National Park – The Bungle Bungles are the region’s star attraction, about 110 km north of Halls Creek via 4WD track.
• Wolfe Creek Meteorite Crater National Park – The second-largest meteorite crater in the world, located about 145 km south of Halls Creek (accessible by 4WD).
• Kununurra – The Kimberley’s hub for Lake Argyle, Ord River cruises, and the famous Zebra Rock, about 360 km north on the Victoria Highway.
• Fitzroy Crossing – A town on the Fitzroy River, gateway to Geikie Gorge (now Darngku) and the stunning Tunnel Creek, about 300 km west.
• Turkey Creek (Warmun) – A small Aboriginal community known for its art centre and the dramatic Bungle Bungle escarpments, about 150 km north.

Please check official sources for current details.