William Creek

William Creek is a tiny, remote outback settlement on the Oodnadatta Track in South Australia, not the Northern Territory. It's a classic stopover for travellers crossing the harsh but beautiful desert landscape, offering a glimpse into the region's pioneering history and a chance to experience true outback hospitality.

Highlights & What to See

• William Creek Hotel: An iconic outback pub where you can grab a cold beer, chat with locals and fellow travellers, and soak up the frontier atmosphere. The walls are covered in memorabilia and signatures from decades of visitors.
• Historic Railway Siding: Explore the remnants of the old Ghan railway line, which once connected Adelaide to Alice Springs. The railway brought life to this remote spot, and you can still see the old station platform and railway cottages.
• Lake Eyre Viewing: William Creek is one of the best bases for scenic flights over Lake Eyre, Australia's largest salt lake. When it floods, the lake transforms into a stunning inland sea teeming with birdlife.
• Oodnadatta Track: Drive a section of this historic outback route, which follows an Aboriginal trading path and later the Overland Telegraph Line. The track is dotted with ruins, bore holes, and unique desert scenery.
• Anna Creek Station: The world's largest cattle station surrounds William Creek. While not open to the public, its vastness is awe-inspiring—you can see its boundary fences from the air.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most travellers pass through William Creek in a day or two, using it as a stopover on a longer outback road trip. Spend one night to enjoy the pub and a scenic flight over Lake Eyre if conditions allow. If you're driving the Oodnadatta Track, plan for a half-day stop to explore the historic sites and have a meal. The settlement is tiny, so you won't need more than two nights unless you're using it as a base for extended 4WD exploration.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Coober Pedy – The opal-mining capital, famous for its underground homes and moonscape-like terrain, about 80 km south.
• Oodnadatta – Another historic outback town on the track, known for the Pink Roadhouse and its railway history.
• Lake Eyre – Best seen by scenic flight from William Creek or via the dirt road to the lake's edge at Halligan Bay.
• Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert Conservation Park – For experienced 4WDers, access the Simpson Desert via the French Line from the Oodnadatta Track.
• Maree – A former railhead town at the southern end of the Oodnadatta Track, with the historic Marree Hotel and the starting point for the Birdsville Track.

Please check official sources for current details.