Wolfe Creek Crater
Crater Well-preserved meteorite crater and popular geological site
Wolfe Creek Crater in Western Australia marks a well-preserved meteorite impact with a walk-in rim and interpretive signage; visitors drive from Halls Creek to view the crater and nearby Aboriginal paintings.
Wolfe Creek Crater, known to Indigenous people as Kandimalal, is a near-circular meteorite impact crater in northern Western Australia and one of Australia’s best-preserved simple impact structures. The crater measures about 880 metres in diameter and the rim stands noticeably above the surrounding plain.
Visitors can walk to the crater rim and descend into parts of the bowl; interpretive signage explains the crater’s natural origin and the site’s cultural significance to local Indigenous communities. The site lies within Wolfe Creek Meteorite Crater National Park.
Geological studies estimate the impact occurred in the Pleistocene; published age estimates cluster around a few hundred thousand years, though figures vary by method. The crater has been a focus of both scientific research and cultural storytelling since its modern European discovery in the mid-20th century.
The crater is located in remote northern Western Australia, set in scrub and spinifex country in the Kimberley/Great Sandy Desert transition.
- Visitor access: The crater is protected within a small national park and can be approached on a short walk to the rim and into the crater floor; park access is remote and roads can be unsealed.
How to Get to Wolfe Creek Crater #
The crater is remote; the nearest major service town is Halls Creek (about 145 km by road). Access is via unsealed roads from the Tanami or Great Northern routes and usually requires a high‑clearance vehicle. Several tour operators run trips from regional towns; independent travel should be prepared with fuel and supplies.
Tips for Visiting Wolfe Creek Crater #
- Visit in the dry season (May-October) for easy access and good visibility of the crater rim.
- Drive carefully on the unsealed access roads and allow extra time for remote travel; the nearest service town is Halls Creek (about 145 km away).
- Bring plenty of water and sun protection - this is true outback country.
Best Time to Visit Wolfe Creek Crater #
May-October provides the best driving and viewing conditions; the crater is a dramatic outback day trip.
Weather & Climate near Wolfe Creek Crater #
Wolfe Creek Crater's climate is classified as Hot Semi-Arid - Hot Semi-Arid climate with very hot summers (peaking in December) and mild winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 12°C to 39°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is hot with highs of 38°C and lows of 25°C. Significant rainfall (126 mm).
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February
February is hot with highs of 37°C and lows of 24°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (128 mm).
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March
March is hot with highs of 36°C and lows of 23°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm).
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April
April is warm with highs of 34°C and lows of 20°C. Light rainfall.
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May
May is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 16°C. Light rainfall.
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June
June is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 12°C. Almost no rain.
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July
July is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 12°C. Almost no rain.
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August
August is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 14°C. The driest month with just 2 mm.
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September
September is warm with highs of 34°C and lows of 18°C. Light rainfall.
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October
October is hot with highs of 37°C and lows of 22°C. Light rainfall.
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November
November is hot with highs of 39°C and lows of 24°C. Light rainfall.
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December
December is the hottest month with highs of 38°C and lows of 25°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm).
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