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.
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.
Weather & Climate near Boxhole crater#
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.
| 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 | - | - |