Wolfe Creek Meteorite Crater National Park

National Park Well-preserved meteorite impact crater with visitor trails

Wolfe Creek National Park preserves a near-circular meteorite crater in the Kimberley region; visitors explore the crater rim, geological interpretation and the night sky.

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Wolfe Creek Meteorite Crater National Park is a remote protected area in Western Australia that encloses Wolfe Creek Crater, locally known as Kandimalal, a well-preserved meteorite impact structure. The crater is distinctive for its circular rim and accessible walking route that allows close viewing of the depression.

The main visitor experience is a short walk from a nearby car park to the crater rim and viewing points, accompanied by interpretive panels that describe the impact geology and local Indigenous connections to the site. The site is visited for geology, landscape photography and short nature walks rather than extended hiking facilities.

Geological studies estimate the crater to be on the order of a few hundred thousand years old and the structure measures roughly 880 metres in diameter. The park is located in the East Kimberley region of remote Western Australia and is accessed via sealed and unsealed regional roads from the nearest outback service towns.

  • Diameter: The crater measures roughly 880 metres across and is one of the best-preserved meteorite craters on Earth.
  • Estimated age: Scientific dating indicates the impact occurred in the order of a few hundred thousand years ago, commonly cited as around 300,000 years before present.

What to See #

  • Crater rim walk: A short, well-marked walking track leads from the car park to a viewing point on the crater rim that gives a clear view into the bowl-shaped meteorite depression.
  • Visitor information and interpretation: Interpretive signage and a small visitor shelter at the car park explain the crater's geology and the local Indigenous name and significance of the site.
Wolfe Creek Meteorite Crater National Park
Wolfe Creek Meteorite Crater (Kandimalal), ~145 km S of Halls Creek, Western Australia
-19.1736, 127.7944
Open daily, 24 hours
Free (no vehicle entry fee)

How to Get to Wolfe Creek Meteorite Crater National Park #

The crater is remote: approximately 145 km south of Halls Creek, accessible from the Great Northern Highway via the Tanami/Wolfe Creek access tracks. Most visitors reach it by 4WD; the final approach is on unsealed roads that can be washed out after rain. There are occasional guided tours from Halls Creek and Broome that include transport and cultural interpretation.

Tips for Visiting Wolfe Creek Meteorite Crater National Park #

  • A high-clearance 4WD is strongly recommended - the last 30-60 km are unsealed and washouts are common after rain.
  • Time the visit for sunrise or sunset - the low light brings out the crater's rim relief and the colours of spinifex and red earth.
  • Respect the site's Indigenous name Kandimalal and any requests from local Jaru custodians; avoid climbing fragile edges.
  • Carry extra fuel, water and a spare tyre - Halls Creek services are ~3 hours away by road.

Best Time to Visit Wolfe Creek Meteorite Crater National Park #

Best visited in the dry season (May-September) when access is reliable and light is good for photography.

Dry season
May-September · 15-30°C
Cooler days, clear skies and firm access roads - the best time for driving and photography.
Shoulder seasons
April & October · 18-33°C
Dusty roads but fewer flies; watch for sudden rain events that can make tracks impassable.
Wet season (avoid)
November-March · 25-40°C
Monsoonal rains can wash out access roads; roads often closed.

Weather & Climate near Wolfe Creek Meteorite Crater National Park #

Climate

Wolfe Creek Meteorite Crater National Park'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.

Air Quality: AQI 26 Good
Best Time to Visit
SeptemberOctoberApril
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
47°
Warmest Month
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is hot, feeling like 35°C. Significant rainfall (126 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

60 Good

Comfort

35°
Feels Like Hot
31°C
Temperature
25° 38°
57%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

126 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
3.2
UV Index
Extreme
13.0h daylight

February

February is hot, feeling like 34°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (128 mm).

70 Very Good

Comfort

34°
Feels Like Hot
30°C
Temperature
24° 37°
62%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

128 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
3.1
UV Index
Extreme
12.6h daylight

March

March is hot, feeling like 32°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm).

77 Very Good

Comfort

32°
Feels Like Hot
30°C
Temperature
23° 36°
59%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

72 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.7
UV Index
Extreme
12.1h daylight

April

April is warm, feeling like 27°C. Light rainfall and clear sunny skies.

97 Ideal

Comfort

27°
Feels Like Warm
27°C
Temperature
20° 34°
42%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

13 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
11.5h daylight

May

May is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 16°C. Light rainfall and clear sunny skies.

97 Ideal

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
16° 30°
37%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

14 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.5
UV Index
Very High
11.1h daylight

June

June is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 12°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.

97 Ideal

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
13° 27°
36%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

7 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
10.8h daylight

July

July is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 12°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.

97 Ideal

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
12° 27°
32%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

6 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
11.0h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 14°C. The driest month with just 2 mm and clear sunny skies.

97 Ideal

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
14° 30°
25%
Humidity
Dry

Weather

2 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.7
UV Index
Very High
11.3h daylight

September

September is warm with highs of 34°C and lows of 18°C. Light rainfall and clear sunny skies.

100 Ideal

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
19° 34°
22%
Humidity
Dry

Weather

11 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
11.9h daylight

October

October is hot with highs of 37°C and lows of 22°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

98 Ideal

Comfort

30°
Feels Like Hot
30°C
Temperature
22° 37°
24%
Humidity
Dry

Weather

11 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.7
UV Index
Extreme
12.4h daylight

November

November is hot with highs of 39°C and lows of 24°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

86 Excellent

Comfort

32°
Feels Like Hot
32°C
Temperature
24° 39°
33%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

28 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.9
UV Index
Extreme
12.9h daylight

December

December is the hottest month, feeling like 33°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

33°
Feels Like Hot
32°C
Temperature
25° 38°
45%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

51 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
3.0
UV Index
Extreme
13.2h daylight

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