Google search today says the Halls Creek caravan park is "permanently closed". There is mention of a change of ownership.
We were hoping to base ourselves there in August, while we went to the Purnululu national park as the Bungle Bungle caravan park is also permanently closed, and has been for some time.
The alternative is to base at Kununarra....four and a half hours away.
Also, the drive from Kununarra to Fitzroy Crossing is 647 kms...6hr 48 mins if you can't stay at Halls Creek.
I suggest that you need 3 days + to see Purnululu NP, so look for a new plan?
Maybe skip it until you are set up differently rather than spoil it completely?
Cheers,
Peter
"Access to the park by road is via Spring Creek Track, from the Great Northern Highway approximately 250km south of Kununurra, through Mabel Downs cattle station to the tracks end at the Purnululu National Park Visitor Centre. The track is 53 km long and is usable only in the dry season (about April 1 to December 31), and only by 4WD high clearance vehicles and off-road trailers. Safely navigating it takes approximately three hours. It is a scenic drive with lots of creek crossings and winding through the ranges. "
When they say "off-road trailer", they mean just that, a trailer. The track (and it IS a track), is not graded, EVER, and is BLO...DY rough. I would not take any van down there, even my off-road van, let alone the one shown in your ID photo. I took a bus/truck ride down this track some years ago when the park was open. NEVER would I take my MUX down there.
Their website lists the possibility of staying at a caravan park a few KM down the bitumen from the track turn-off. I stayed there some years ago and it seemed OK.
"Access to the park by road is via Spring Creek Track, from the Great Northern Highway approximately 250km south of Kununurra, through Mabel Downs cattle station to the tracks end at the Purnululu National Park Visitor Centre. The track is 53 km long and is usable only in the dry season (about April 1 to December 31), and only by 4WD high clearance vehicles and off-road trailers. Safely navigating it takes approximately three hours. It is a scenic drive with lots of creek crossings and winding through the ranges. "
When they say "off-road trailer", they mean just that, a trailer. The track (and it IS a track), is not graded, EVER, and is BLO...DY rough. I would not take any van down there, even my off-road van, let alone the one shown in your ID photo. I took a bus/truck ride down this track some years ago when the park was open. NEVER would I take my MUX down there.
Their website lists the possibility of staying at a caravan park a few KM down the bitumen from the track turn-off. I stayed there some years ago and it seemed OK.
Maybe this is an option for you.
Thanks Bookleaf. Weren't intending to take our van to the lodge, rather leave it at the Halls Creek van park and drive back. Wether that is a safety concern, I'm not sure.
Another choice is the Warnum Roadhouse caravan park which is about 200km past Kununurra, powered site and amenities, its a fairly basic roadhouse caravan park but I would be happier staying there than the Halls Creek caravan park even if it was open.
There is a spot called Carolines Pool east of Halls gap off the Duncan Road. Fabulous spot.....-18.226703°, 127.759543°.......https://www.google.com/search?q=caroline+pool+wa&rlz=1C1ONGR_en-GBAU1140AU1140&oq=caroline+pool+wa&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOdIBCDY5ODJqMGo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
-- Edited by jade007 on Wednesday 15th of January 2025 02:33:19 PM
Another choice is the Warnum Roadhouse caravan park which is about 200km past Kununurra, powered site and amenities, its a fairly basic roadhouse caravan park but I would be happier staying there than the Halls Creek caravan park even if it was open.
Thanks Meredith, that sounds like our best option. I called the local pub at Halls Creek, and they said one of the park owners died. They were unsure if it would reopen.
When they say "off-road trailer", they mean just that, a trailer. The track (and it IS a track), is not graded, EVER, and is BLO...DY rough. I would not take any van down there, even my off-road van, let alone the one shown in your ID photo. I took a bus/truck ride down this track some years ago when the park was open. NEVER would I take my MUX down there.
All in the eye of the beholder. :)
Hundreds of vehicles go in there every year towing vans. The "rules" limit vans to single axle.
The key to driving in and out without damage is to drive at a speed appropriate to your vehicles and the road on the day. The same applies to every vehicle on every road, every day.
