Nestled in the heart of Western Australia’s Kimberley region, Halls Creek is a small town with a rich and captivating history. Once the epicentre of Western Australia’s first gold rush, Halls Creek offers visitors a chance to step back in time and explore the legacy of this pivotal era in Australian history. From abandoned gold mines to fascinating historical landmarks, a visit to Halls Creek is a journey through time that tells the story of fortune, hardship, and exploration in the rugged outback. Here’s your guide to discovering the gold rush history of Halls Creek.The Discovery of Gold: The Birth of a BoomtownHalls Creek owes its origin to the discovery of gold in 1885 by Charlie Hall, a prospector who struck gold while travelling along the Kimberley Track. This discovery sparked Western Australia’s first major gold rush, as thousands of hopeful prospectors flocked to the area in search of fortune. The original settlement of Old Halls Creek grew rapidly, becoming a bustling town almost overnight, filled with miners, merchants, and adventurers.Although the gold rush only lasted a few years, the discovery forever changed the region, leaving behind a rich legacy of historical sites and stories that continue to attract visitors today.Image © Tourism Western AustraliaOld Halls Creek: A Ghost Town of the Gold Rush EraFor a glimpse into what life was like during the gold rush, a visit to Old Halls Creek is a must. Located about 15 kilometres from the modern town of Halls Creek, Old Halls Creek was the original settlement established during the gold rush. Today, it stands as a ghost town, with only a few remnants of its once-thriving community still visible, including stone buildings, abandoned mine shafts, and crumbling walls.