Halls Creek
Town
Population 1209
In the heart of the Kimberley region and on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert, Halls Creek is the site of the first payable gold discovery in Western Australia. In 1885 Jack Slattery and Charlie Hall (after whom the town is named) discovered gold, thereby sparking a gold rush that brought over 15 000 people to the area. In 1917 a seriously injured stockman named James 'Jimmy' Darcy was taken into Halls Creek. With neither doctor nor hospital in the town, the local postmaster carried out an emergency operation using a penknife as instructions were telegraphed by morse code from Perth. The Perth doctor then set out on the ten-day journey to Halls Creek via cattle boat, model-T Ford, horse-drawn sulky and, finally, on foot, only to discover that the patient had died the day before his arrival. The event inspired Reverend John Flynn to establish the Royal Flying Doctor Service in 1928, a development that helped to encourage settlement throughout the outback.
Visitor Information
Cnr Great Northern Hwy and Hall St; (08) 9168 6262 or 1800 877 423
Nearby national parks
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Purnululu National Park
Lying deep in the rugged east Kimberley region, Purnululu National Park protects one of the world’s natural wonders, the Bungle Bungle...more -
Geikie Gorge National Park
Set in the far north of the Kimberley, the focus of this national park is the spectacular 30-metre-deep Geikie Gorge, with its colourful...more
Nearby towns
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Fitzroy Crossing
Fitzroy Crossing is in the heart of the Kimberley region. As its name suggests, the original townsite was chosen as the best place to ford...more
In Town
Russian Jack Memorial: tribute to a prospector who pushed his sick friend in a wheelbarrow to Wyndham for medical help; Thomas St. Trackers Hut: restored original hut of Aboriginal trackers; Robert St, behind police station.
Nearby
Wolfe Creek Crater National Park Wolfe Creek Crater is the second-largest meteorite crater in the world. Named after Robert Wolfe, a Halls Creek prospector, it is 870–950 m across and was probably formed by a meteorite weighing at least several thousand tonnes crashing to earth a million years ago. In Aboriginal legend, it is said to be the site of the emergence of a powerful rainbow serpent from the earth. Scenic flights afford magnificent views; contact visitor centre for details.148 km S.
Purnululu National Park This World Heritage Area in the outback of the east Kimberley is home to the Bungle Bungle Range, a remarkable landscape of tiger-striped, beehive-shaped rock domes intersected by narrow, palm-lined gorges where pools reflect sunlight off sheer walls. A scenic flight is the best way to gain a perspective of the Bungle Bungles' massive size and spectacular scenery (details from visitor centre). The most visited site in Purnululu is Cathedral Gorge, a fairly easy walk. A couple of days and a backpack allow you to explore nearby Piccaninny Creek and Gorge, camping overnight. On the northern side of the park is Echidna Chasm, a narrow gorge totally different from those on the southern side. Purnululu is also rich in Aboriginal art, and there are many traditional burial sites within its boundaries. Purnululu is open to visitors (Apr–Dec) and is accessible by 4WD. There are few facilities and no accommodation; visitors must carry in all food and water and notify a ranger. 160 km E.
China Wall: white quartz formation said to resemble Great Wall of China; 6 km E. Caroline's Pool: deep pool ideal for swimming (in wet season) and picnicking; 15 km E. Old Halls Creek: remnants of original town including graveyard where James Darcy is buried; prospecting available; 16 km E. Palm Springs: fishing, swimming and picnicking; 45 km E. Sawpit Gorge: fishing, swimming, picnicking; 52 km E. Billiluna Aboriginal Community: fishing, swimming, camping, birdwatching and bushwalking, and bush tucker and cultural tours; 180 km S.
Eco-friendly activities around town
Indigenous tour - Mimbi Cave 222 km
An hour from Fitzroy Crossing you can take a three-hour guided tour with the traditional owners of Mimbi Cave. You will see fossils of ancient creatures and rock art on this recently developed tourism venture. Bookings... Find out moreCafes & restaurants around town
Campsites around town
Walardi campsite 102 km
Walardi makes a good base for exploring the amazing geological features of the area, and gaining an appreciation of the ecological importance of the park. Bring drinking water to this camping area around 20 km south of... Find out moreWolfe Creek Meteorite Crater camping area 106 km
This camping area has only minimal facilities in a barren and desolate landscape. Check the road conditions before heading here with a trailer or caravan, and bring a stove and drinking water. The national park is 23 km... Find out morePiccaninny Gorge walking trail camping area 111 km
If you are an experienced and self-sufficient camper, go camping along the trail of a 30 km return walk of moderate to difficult standard, where the deeper you go the more spectacular it gets. Before you head off,... Find out moreKurrajong campsite 116 km
Explore the fascinating geological features by day, and relax under a canopy of millions of stars by night. Bring your own drinking water to this campsite, north of the visitor centre, 53 km east of the Great Northern... Find out moreNyarna–Lake Stretch camping area 161 km
Visitors will find a large open area on the banks of a lagoon at this camping area, 2.4 km south-east of the route. Bring your own drinking water to camp under the shade of the trees by day and millions of stars by... Find out moreMornington Wilderness Camp 183 km
Mornington Wilderness Camp is 95 km south-east from the Gibb River Rd. The turn-off is 53.7 km south-west of Mt Barnett Roadhouse and 25.5 km north-east of Imintji Roadhouse. The camping area is set in a wildlife... Find out moreFitzroy River Lodge camping area 220 km
Fitzroy River Lodge camping area is on the Great Northern Hwy, 2.3 km east of Fitzroy Crossing. Visitors here will find a good range of facilities spread around shady grassed sites on the bank of the Fitzroy River, where... Find out moreTarunda Caravan Park 222 km
Visitors to this area can explore the nearby national park at Geike Gorge or access the Fitzroy River for fishing and swimming. The caravan park is on Forrest Rd in Fitzroy Crossing, between Derby and Halls Creek on the... Find out moreWell 50 232 km
Camp in the shade at Well 50, 2 km south of the route. Find it 20.2 km south-west of Weriaddo Well and 26.2 km east of the Notice to Travellers sign. GPS S:20 12.531 E:126 58.079... Find out moreCaravan parks around town
Warmun Roadhouse Caravan Park 146 km
This park is part of the roadhouse complex, very close to Purnululu National Park. Caravan storage is available for people visiting the Bungle Bungles and helicopter flights also operate from alongside the roadhouse. It... Find out moreFitzroy River Lodge and Caravan Park 220 km
The Fitzroy River Lodge is a quality accommodation complex that includes a comfortable caravan park. The park has very good amenities and a tennis court, and is a convenient overnight stop or base from which to explore... Find out moreDoon Doon Roadhouse Caravan Park 221 km
This is a new park adjoining the roadhouse and appears well laid out and competitively priced. The roadhouse sells a range of products including takeaway food. Only approved pets are allowed.... Find out moreHotels, motels & B&Bs around town
Best Western Halls Creek Motel
The rooms at the Best Western Halls Creek Motel are set within beautifully landscaped gardens. All 30 of the rooms have been recently upgraded, and some include family facilities and spas. The motel is ideally situated... Find out moreRetaining the colonial character of Halls Creek’s gold-rush heyday, the Kimberley Hotel is one of the largest motels in the Kimberley. The spacious rooms are surrounded by green lawns and the hotel is a short walk... Find out more
Eco-friendly places to stay around town
Mornington Wilderness Camp - Central Kimberley 183 km
All proceeds from this comfortable camp go to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy. The site is primarily solar-powered and on a 3000-square kilometre private wildlife sanctuary that includes some of the best remaining... Find out moreRest areas around town
Little Panton River Rest Area 42 km
47 km N of Halls Creek (R) or 117 km S of Warmun (L) Large area just off the highway on the old road. Limited shade. GPS: S17 52.518 E127 49.890... Find out moreLeycesters Rest Area 87 km
101 km N of Halls Creek (R) or 63 km S of Warmun (L) Large area just off the highway via the old road at Ord River. Limited shade. GPS: S17 29.005 E127 56.979 ... Find out moreSpring Creek Rest Area 94 km
108 km N of Halls Creek (L) or 56 km S of Warmun (R) Small area just off the highway on the banks of the creek. Good shade. GPS: S17 25.931 E127 59.380 ... Find out moreMary Pool Rest Area 101 km
181 km SE of Fitzroy Crossing (R) or 108 km SW of Halls Creek (L) Large secluded area well off the highway on the banks of Mary River. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S18 43.595 E126 52.367 ... Find out moreMuluks Rest Area 106 km
122 km N of Halls Creek (R) or 42 km S of Warmun (L) Small area just off the highway at Fletchers Creek. Limited shade. GPS: S17 20.309 E128 03.149... Find out moreWhat's on around town
Rodeo: July.
Picnic Races: Oct.
