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 at a Glance#
Address: Wolfe Creek Meteorite Crater (Kandimalal), ~145 km from Halls Creek, Western Australia
Hours: Open year-round, daylight hours
Admission: Free
About Wolfe Creek Crater#
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 25° - 38° | 31° | 126 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 24° - 37° | 30° | 128 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 23° - 36° | 30° | 72 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 20° - 34° | 27° | 13 mm | - | - | 2.7 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 16° - 30° | 23° | 14 mm | - | - | 2.7 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 13° - 27° | 20° | 7 mm | - | - | 2.6 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 12° - 27° | 19° | 6 mm | - | - | 2.7 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 14° - 30° | 22° | 2 mm | - | - | 2.8 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 19° - 34° | 26° | 11 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 22° - 37° | 30° | 11 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 24° - 39° | 32° | 28 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 25° - 38° | 32° | 51 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
