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Major city · Australia

William Creek

One night, not two: fuel and eat before you arrive, take the Lake Eyre flight, then leave early. No sealed road in, so 4WD or a tour flight only.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

William Creek is a pub, a dirt airstrip and about ten residents on the Oodnadatta Track, in the South Australian outback between Marree and Oodnadatta. There is no sealed road in. You come for the Lake Eyre scenic flight, one beer at the pub and one night's sleep, then you leave. Fuel and food here cost far more than at Marree or Coober Pedy, so plan around that.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
AUD
Best months
Apr–Sep
avoid Dec–Feb (extreme heat, 40 °C (104 °F)+); avoid the track after heavy rain
Airport
WLC
Nights
1
Rules in force · 7
  • Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
  • Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
  • Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
  • Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
  • Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
  • Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
  • Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for William Creek000 ▾
  • Police, fire, ambulance000
  • From mobiles112

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about William Creek, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • BeerBeer at the pubA$8–12 (≈ US$6–8)
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekA$20–40 (≈ US$14–30)
  • Budget bedCamping at the pub, a night, per personA$25 (≈ US$17)
  • Mid-range bedBasic motel room at the pub, a night, per roomA$200 (≈ US$140)
  • High-end bedBasic motel room at the pub, a night, per roomA$280 (≈ US$190)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$120 (≈ US$80) · Mid A$200 (≈ US$140) · High A$350 (≈ US$250)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Lake Eyre scenic flightsThe Oodnadatta TrackWilliam Creek Hotel (the pub)Planes taxiing across the main street
Airports
WLC William Creek airstrip (Unsealed strip beside the town; used by scenic-flight operators and air tours. No scheduled airline service.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    37°C (99°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    36°C (97°F)

  3. Mar

    not flagged

    33°C (91°F)

  4. Apr

    Best

    28°C (82°F)

  5. May

    Best

    22°C (72°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    18°C (64°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    18°C (64°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    21°C (70°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    26°C (79°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    30°C (86°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    34°C (93°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    36°C (97°F)

Best: Apr–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →

Warmest Jan (37°C (99°F)), coolest Jul (4°C (39°F) low), wettest May (3 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

William Creek: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

37°C (99°F)

21°C (70°F)

2 rd

Feb

36°C (97°F)

20°C (68°F)

2 rd

Mar

33°C (91°F)

17°C (63°F)

2 rd

Apr

28°C (82°F)

13°C (55°F)

2 rd

May

22°C (72°F)

8°C (46°F)

3 rd

Jun

18°C (64°F)

5°C (41°F)

3 rd

Jul

18°C (64°F)

4°C (39°F)

3 rd

Aug

21°C (70°F)

6°C (43°F)

3 rd

Sep

26°C (79°F)

10°C (50°F)

3 rd

Oct

30°C (86°F)

14°C (57°F)

3 rd

Nov

34°C (93°F)

17°C (63°F)

3 rd

Dec

36°C (97°F)

20°C (68°F)

2 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Everything is within a few minutes' walk: the pub, the airstrip and the old railway alignment. You do not need a vehicle in town. You do need one to get here — the Oodnadatta Track is unsealed and can close after rain.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Lake Eyre (Kati Thanda) viewpoint

caution

Door to door: Half a day or more

4WD only, off the Oodnadatta Track; ask at the pub for current conditions

Do not attempt alone or without a 4WD and local advice. Travellers have died here after getting stuck.

Marree

go

Door to door: About 3–4 h

Oodnadatta Track south, unsealed

Better fuel and food prices; the last proper services before the track.

Coober Pedyovernight

Door to door: About 4–5 h

Track east then the sealed road via William Creek access

Opal town with underground stays; a full day's drive, so sleep there.

Oodnadatta

go

Door to door: About 3–4 h

Oodnadatta Track north, unsealed

Continues the track north; check conditions first.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

William Creek Hotel (the pub)

The only beds in town: basic motel rooms plus camping. Book ahead in the Apr–Sep season.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
A$120–180 (≈ US$80–120) excl. bed
Mid
A$180–300 (≈ US$120–200) excl. bed
High
A$300 (≈ US$200)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Basic motel room at the pub1 × 1 night × A$200A$200
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × A$200A$400
Scenic flight over Lake Eyre2 × A$400 · checkA$800
Fuel, per litre (premium over Marree)2 × A$3 · checkA$6
eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$25A$50
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeA$146
Trip total≈ A$801 per person per day, bed includedA$1,602≈ US$1,100

2026 estimate in Australian dollars; fuel and scenic flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Beer at the pubA$8–12 (≈ US$6–8)
Pub mealA$25–40 (≈ US$17–30)
Takeaway food across the roadA$10–20 (≈ US$7–14)
Fuel, per litrefar above Marree or Coober PedyA$2.50–3.50 (≈ US$2–3)
Scenic flight over Lake Eyredepends on route and durationA$250–600 (≈ US$170–400)
eSIM or data SIM, about a weekA$20–40 (≈ US$14–30)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Remote and small: the real risks are heat, distance and the unsealed track closing after rain. Carry water, fuel up before you arrive, and never take the Lake Eyre side trip alone.
  • No sealed road reaches William Creek. The Oodnadatta Track is dirt and can be closed by rain — check road conditions before you commit.
  • Fuel here is the most expensive on the track. Fill up at Marree or Coober Pedy and carry what you need.
  • Do not drive the Lake Eyre side trip without a 4WD and local advice. Travellers have died after getting stuck out there.
  • Phone coverage is limited and the town generator is switched off at night. Tell someone your plan and carry water.
  • Summer heat is dangerous: 40 °C (104 °F)+ days, long distances between help.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
000
From mobiles
112

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

William CreekWilliam Creek

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance000
  • From mobiles112

Embassy

The US has an embassy in Canberra and consulates in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth; the UK, Canada and New Zealand have high commissions in Canberra. Check the address before you travel.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Fuel, per litre: A$2.50–3.50 (≈ US$2–3)
  • Scenic flight over Lake Eyre: A$250–600 (≈ US$170–400)
  • Pub meal: A$25–40 (≈ US$17–30)

Say or show

  • Thank you — Thank you
  • How much is it? — How much is it?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
  • Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet?
  • Is the track open? — Is the track open?
  • I need help — I need help

Phone coverage is limited and the generator is off at night. Carry water and tell someone your plan.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for William Creek. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Apr–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (extreme heat, 40 °C+); avoid the track after heavy rain · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 4 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for WLC: scenic-flight operators, airstrip access and the pub's room and camping rungs.
  2. Walking cluster with rescue anchors: the pub, the airstrip, the old railway alignment.
  3. Place pages with verified cutoffs (pub kitchen, scenic flights) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Rain and heat fixtures so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to Australia

Sources

Ask about William Creek

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