Anyone who’s driven the Oodnadatta Track knows the William Creek Hotel Accommodation & Campground. It’s that much needed stop where you can get a hot shower and a cold beer. Right across from the famous William Creek Hotel this campground has saved plenty of travellers from sleeping rough in the middle of nowhere.

William Creek Hotel Accommodation & Campground Location And Info At A Glance

Cost: About $45 per night powered and $35 per night unpowered. Varies depending upon season.
Type: Caravan Park / Paid Campground
Location: -28.909119°, 136.338610°
Pet Friendly: Yes
Distance From Marree: 204km
Distance From Oodnadatta: 202km
Distance From Marla: 456km

William Creek Campground On Google Earth

What You Get at William Creek Hotel Campground

The campground’s got powered and unpowered sites scattered across a decent-sized area. Big rigs fit fine. The amenities block is where this place really shines. Hot showers that actually work, toilets that flush and washing machines that don’t eat your coins.

Powered sites go for about $40-45 a night and come with water but here’s the catch – they fill up by midday during busy periods. Hotel staff aren’t joking when they tell you to get there early. The unpowered area out back has heaps more room and costs around $30 which is good value for what you get and where you are.

Most people camp in the unpowered section behind the main area. More space, less crowded and you’re not crammed in.

Inside The Dining Room At William Creek Hotel Pay for Your William Creek Hotel Campground Accommodation In Here

William Creek Hotel Accommodation Beyond Camping

If you’re sick of swags and camp chairs the William Creek Hotel accommodation includes proper rooms and cabins. There’s “The Camel House” cottage that sleeps up to six people, plus regular hotel rooms with different bathroom arrangements.

This place has been operating since 1887, which tells you something. They’ve figured out what works in the middle of nowhere. The rooms aren’t fancy, but after days on corrugated roads, you won’t care about thread counts.

Services That Actually Matter

• Fuel’s available on site although it’s not at city prices. diesel goes about $3 a litre. It beats running out of fuel in the scrub.
• Staff know their stuff about breakdowns. Multiple people mention getting help with tyre repairs and even emergency parts deliveries. When your trip depends on keeping your vehicle running, that kind of backup matters.
• The free desalinated water fill-up is brilliant. Top up your tanks before heading back onto the track.

Leaving William Creek And Heading Towards Oodnadatta In 2024

Food And Drink At William Creek Hotel

The pub does decent feeds, though you’ll pay tourist prices. Chicken schnitzel seems popular and portions are generous enough that people take leftovers back to camp. The key is booking ahead – this place gets packed, especially when tour groups roll through.

Staff are very helpful. Multiple people mention getting good local advice and assistance with vehicle problems.

Lake Eyre Flights And Access

Wright’s Air runs scenic flights from the adjacent airstrip. Currently as of 2025 starting at around $390 per person it’s spectacular. The timing worked out perfectly for recent visitors who have seen the lake full. We’ve been to William Creek loads of times but never done the flight as Amanda is not good with heights. We did a helicopter flight at Kings Canyon on a recent trip so I’m hopeful of getting her on a plane over Lake Eyre next time we’re there.

Many people use William Creek Hotel Campground as base camp for the rough drive out to Halligan Bay. Makes sense – leave your caravan here and take just the vehicle for the challenging 60km track to Lake Eyre’s edge.

William Creek Hotel Accommodation Campground Entrance

What You Need to Know About William Creek Hotel Campground

• Register at the hotel first, pay upfront, then find your spot. The system works well enough. Unpowered sites behind the main area offer better value and more space, especially important when the wind picks up and everything gets dusty.
• Campfires are allowed, which is good because evenings can get cold. The camping area has some wind protection, though you’re still in open country where weather happens fast.
• Dogs are welcome, both in camp and surprisingly in the hotel dining room. That’s unusual for outback pubs and makes this place more appealing for people travelling with pets.

William Creek Hotel Driving School Dave Could do With A Lesson!

Why William Creek Hotel Campground Works So Well

After hours of corrugated roads and dust, William Creek Hotel Campground delivers what you actually need – clean facilities, reliable services and genuine outback character. Whether you’re just passing through or using it as base for Lake Eyre exploration, it does the job.

The William Creek Hotel accommodation options work for people who want a break from camping without losing the authentic outback feel. After 130-plus years in business, they’ve earned their reputation as an essential Oodnadatta Track stop.

This isn’t about luxury – it’s about reliable services in unreliable country. Sometimes that’s exactly what matters most.

William Creek Hotel Some New Stubby Holders

Kathleen Creek campsite is a popular free camp site on the Oodnadatta Track. It’s about 84 kilometres from Oodnadatta heading towards Marla. The creek runs right alongside the track making it easy to spot.

Kathleen Creek Campsite Location And Info At A Glance

Cost: Free
Type: Free Camping / Bush Camping
Location: -27.204822°, 134.752916°
Pet Friendly: Yes
Distance From Marree: 489km
Distance From Oodnadatta: 84km
Distance From Marla: 170km

Kathleen Creek Camp Site Oodnadatta Track On Google Earth

Finding Kathleen Creek Campsite

There’s no sign telling you where to turn – you just pull off when you see the creek. You can camp on either side, east or west. Most people don’t drive too far in, maybe 100 to 500 metres at most. We’ve seen plenty of big caravans and motorhomes get in here without no trouble.

Recent roadworks have made access much better than it used to be. Still, you wouldn’t want to attempt this after heavy rain. The ground would turn into a real mess.

What’s Available

There are no facilities here. No toilets, no bins, no water taps. You need to bring everything with you and take it all away again. The ground is mostly flat and there’s usually some shade from the trees along the creek.

The creek itself sometimes has water in it but after dry spells it’ll have little to nothing in it. Sometimes there’s enough water for a quick wash or even a swim on a hot day. Other times it’s completely dry. Either way the trees are always there providing habitat for lots of birds.

Choosing Your Spot

• We’ve camped on the western side of the creek (the eastern side had more evidence of cattle).
• You can camp close to the road and still get nice creek views.
• If you want more privacy the tracks continue further along the creek with plenty of options.
• Even when there are several groups here there’s enough space for everyone.

Birds And Animals

The bird life here is fantastic, especially when there’s water around. We’ve seen budgerigars, wood ducks, various pigeons and plenty of other species. The constant bird chatter really adds to the peaceful atmosphere.

Dingoes and wild dogs visit regularly, particularly at night when they come down to drink. We’ve heard there are dog baits in the area so keep your pets close. You might also spot some feral cats and mice around the camp.

Flies are a problem during the day but they disappear once the sun sets. That’s pretty standard for this part of the country.

Kathleen Creek Campsite Oodnadatta Track

Campfires

Finding firewood can be hit or miss. Sometimes there’s plenty of dead wood lying around, other times you’ll struggle to find enough for a small fire. Don’t take more than you need – other people will be coming after you.

On our visit here we found a nice little stack of firewood and with some kindling that had been left by previous users of the Kathleen creek campsite. It was a nice surprise. We often do the same before leaving a camp and it was nice to have had the favour returned.

Things You Should Know

When it’s dry, the ground is solid and good for camping. After rain, expect mud and the potential of getting your vehicle bogged if you’re not careful.

There’s no mobile phone coverage here. You’ll need Starlink if you want a connection.

Why People Keep Coming Back To The Kathleen Creek Campsite

This Kathleen Creek campsite on the Oodnadatta Track captures everything good about outback travel. It’s quiet, clean, and feels genuinely remote. The creek setting with trees along the banks means lots of bird activity.

Most folks rock up planning just the one night but then don’t want to leave. You know how it is – you get settled in, the birds are going off, maybe there’s water trickling in the creek, and suddenly you’re thinking “why did I only book one night here?” That’s what happens at Kathleen Creek.

Of course it’ll only stay this good if people behave responsibly. Clean up your mess, put your fire out properly, don’t leave toilet paper lying around.

Halligan Bay Campsite has very basic facilities. The small campground is on Lake Eyre (Kati Thanda). Lots of people prefer the overflow sections for better views and space. The camping experience here changes dramatically depending on lake water levels – in August 2025 there’s plenty of water making it an exceptional time to visit but this isn’t always the case.

Halligan Bay Campsite Location And Info At A Glance

Cost: $22.30 Per Vehicle + National Park Entry Fee Also Applies
Type: National park Camping (Booking Required)
Location: -28.7648370, 136.9377810
Address: Halligan Bay Track, South Australia
Bookings URL: https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/parks/kati-thanda-lake-eyre-national-park/booking/73145
Pet Friendly: No
Distance From Marree: 261km
Distance From Oodnadatta: 272km
Distance From Marla: 470km
Distance From William Creek: 64km

Camping On Lake Eyre Kati Thanda

Halligan Bay Campsite Reality

Don’t expect luxury. The main camping area is small – basically an open field that some describe as resembling a car park. Most experienced campers prefer the overflow areas, particularly the western end which offers better views and more space. Sites are generally flat and easy to set up on.

The eco-toilets are hit and miss. Some visitors find them acceptable, others describe them as unusable due to smell. National Parks signage is reportedly faded and barely readable. There’s no water available so come completely self-sufficient.

Fees are $21.60 per night and yes the rangers do show up from time to time to check.

Halligans Bay

When There’s Water

• Lake Eyre with water is something special. Recent visitors describe walking out 200-700 metres onto the salt to reach the water’s edge, depending on levels.
• The contrast between the white salt and the water is incredible.

When There’s No Water

• Reviews from dry periods paint a different picture. Without water, you’re looking at endless salt flats and potentially lots of flies. Some visitors during dry times found the experience disappointing compared to other salt lakes like Lake Gairdner in the Gawler Ranges.

Getting To Halligan Bay Campground

Halligan Bay Campground sits inside Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park and you’ll need a 4WD to get there. The access track starts from a turn-off south of William Creek.

The drive from William Creek takes about an hour and fifteen minutes on a good day, longer if conditions are rough. Road quality varies enormously depending on recent weather and maintenance. Some travellers report freshly graded sections that make for easy driving, while others encounter severe corrugations, potholes, and sandy patches that’ll shake your fillings loose.

Recent visitors mention the first 70% of the track being in decent condition, with the final stretch getting rougher. A few have made it in regular 4WDs with lowered tyre pressures, but most recommend a proper 4WD vehicle. Several reviews mention people towing caravans, though not without consequences – blown tyres and damaged equipment seem common for those attempting it.

The landscape changes dramatically on the drive in. You’ll pass through gibber plains, areas of different vegetation, and fascinating hill formations before reaching the vast expanse of the lake.

Halligan Bay Campground Seen From Google Earth

The Route To Halligan Bay Campsite

Drive about 7 kilometres south from William Creek and look for the Halligan Bay track heading off to the east. This track runs for roughly 64 kilometres to the campground. Budget at least 2.5 hours for the drive – could be longer if conditions are rough.

Step-by-Step Directions

Starting from William Creek, head south along the main track that leads toward Lake Eyre. After approximately 7 kilometres, you’ll see the turn-off for Halligan Bay track on your left (heading east). Follow this track for the full 64 kilometres until you reach the campground at Halligan Bay.

The Experience

Weather can be extreme here. The site is completely exposed with no wind protection so expect it to be rough on windy days. The remoteness is part of the appeal – you’ll often have the place to yourself or share it with just one or two other groups. As you’d expect the campground gets comparatively busy when there is water in Lake Eyre.

Road Conditions – What to Expect

• Every review mentions road conditions and they vary wildly:
• Some sections are freshly graded and easy
• Corrugations range from mild to severe
• Potholes in white bulldust areas can cause damage
• Sandy sections require careful driving
• Washouts appear after rain
• Many experienced travellers recommend taking your time, lowering tyre pressures, and being prepared for equipment damage. Stories include lost damaged tyres, damaged caravans and various bits falling off vehicles.

Road Into Halligans Bay

Planning Your Visit

Check current conditions before heading out. Lake water levels fluctuate dramatically – what you see in photos might not reflect what you’ll find. Road conditions change after rain and not for the better.

Bring everything you need including water, food, toilet paper, and be prepared for basic facilities. If the toilets are unusable, have your own arrangements sorted.

Many visitors suggest this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, particularly when there’s water in the lake. The drive might be rough and the facilities basic, but being able to camp at Australia’s lowest point beside this iconic lake makes it worthwhile for most people.

Just manage your expectations – you’re not going to a resort, you’re experiencing one of Australia’s most remote and changeable landscapes.