William Creek

A genuine outback pilgrimage — William Creek is one of the smallest towns in Australia, sitting roughly 167km east of Coober Pedy on the iconic Oodnadatta Track. The road is unsealed the whole way, so a 4WD (or a high-clearance vehicle and care) is advised, and it can close after rain — check conditions before you set out.

The drawcard is the historic William Creek Hotel, a classic corrugated-iron outback pub covered inside with the cards, notes and number plates of travellers who’ve passed through. The town is also the nearest settlement to Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, Australia’s largest lake — spectacular from the air when it floods. It sits right in the middle of Anna Creek Station, the largest cattle station on earth.

Plenty of visitors reach it the easy way: a scenic flight from Coober Pedy takes in the opal fields, the Painted Hills and Lake Eyre. If you drive, fuel up first, carry water and spares, and read our outback safety notes before you go.