Wolfe Creek Crater

Traditional Owners

The crater is known as “Kandimalal” in the Jaru language. It is recognised in oral traditions, personal experience, knowledge, art, and song by Jaru and other Aboriginal people. Jaru Elders refer to several stories relating to the crater. One refers to the passage of two rainbow snakes, which formed the nearby Wolfe Creek and Sturt Creek as they crossed the desert. In the Dreamtime, one snake emerged from the ground, forming the circular crater.

In 1999, John Goldsmith recorded a story about a “star” that fell from the sky and became buried in the ground, forming the crater. According to Jaru Elder Jack Jugarie, one day, the crescent moon and the evening star passed very close to each other. The evening star became so hot that it fell to the ground, causing an enormous explosion, flash, dust cloud and noise. This frightened the people and a long time passed before they ventured near the crater to see what had happened. When they ventured to the crater, it was realised that this was the site of where the evening star had fallen to the Earth. The Jaru people then named the place “Kandimalal” and is prominent in arts from the region.

Another story relates to the sinkholes in the centre of the crater. One day, a Jaru man entered the crater and saw water in the sinkholes. He entered a sinkhole to discover a passage that went several kilometres underground to emerge at a nearby creek. After a considerable trek, he emerged into daylight. It is said that because of the link from the crater sinkholes and the creek, the crater floor never floods. This story is recounted with particular delight, noting the risk of snakes in the sinkholes and the darkness of the underground passages, highlighting the man’s bravery.