Boxhole crater Crater

Small meteorite impact crater in central Australia

A meteorite impact crater in Australia's Northern Territory east of Alice Springs, Boxhole Crater appeals to geologists and off‑road visitors interested in impact features and occasional field trips.

Main image

Boxhole crater at a Glance#

Address: Boxhole Crater, near Alice Springs region, Northern Territory, Australia

Hours: Open access (no set hours)

Admission: Free (no formal visitor centre)

About Boxhole crater#

Boxhole crater is a small meteorite impact crater in the Northern Territory of Australia, known for its well-preserved bowl shape and ejecta rim.

The feature is roughly 170 metres in diameter and displays the circular depression and rim typical of a simple impact crater; meteorite material has been recovered from the site.

Dating work has indicated a Holocene age for the impact, often cited at approximately 5,400 years before present.

The crater lies on pastoral land known as Boxhole Station in the Northern Territory.

  • Size: The crater measures roughly 170 metres across and is a well-preserved small impact structure from the Holocene.
  • Age: Dating studies indicate the impact occurred in the Holocene, commonly cited at about 5,400 years before present.

How to Get to Boxhole crater#

Boxhole crater lies northeast of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. Access typically requires a 4WD and navigation from Alice Springs; detailed directions should be obtained locally and respect paid to Indigenous land access rules where applicable.

Tips for Visiting Boxhole crater#

  • The crater is on Aboriginal land - be respectful and check local permissions for access.
  • Bring a good map: access roads are rough and signage limited.
  • Visit in the dry season (April-October) for firm ground and more predictable access.

Best Time to Visit Boxhole crater#

Visit in the dry season for road access and comfortable exploration; the crater is remote and undeveloped.

Dry Season (Apr-Oct)
April-October · 10-30°C
Best access - roads are dry and comfortable for travel from Alice Springs.
Wet/Hot Season (Nov-Mar)
November-March · 25-40°C
Uncomfortably hot and sometimes impassable roads-avoid unless prepared for desert heat.

Weather & Climate near Boxhole crater#

Climate

Boxhole crater's climate is classified as Hot Desert - Hot Desert climate with hot summers (peaking in January) and cool winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 5°C to 37°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 30 Good
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
37°
Warmest Month
5°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January - 22° - 37° 30° 45 mm - - 3.4 m/s - -
February - 22° - 36° 29° 57 mm - - 3.2 m/s - -
March - 20° - 34° 27° 24 mm - - 3.2 m/s - -
April - 15° - 30° 23° 15 mm - - 3.0 m/s - -
May - 11° - 25° 18° 16 mm - - 2.6 m/s - -
June - 7° - 21° 14° 11 mm - - 2.7 m/s - -
July - 5° - 21° 13° 12 mm - - 2.6 m/s - -
August - 7° - 24° 16° 7 mm - - 3.0 m/s - -
September - 12° - 29° 20° 4 mm - - 3.2 m/s - -
October - 16° - 32° 24° 20 mm - - 3.4 m/s - -
November - 19° - 35° 27° 21 mm - - 3.5 m/s - -
December - 21° - 36° 29° 41 mm - - 3.4 m/s - -