Rush to see rare Aussie phenomenon sparks major safety warning
South Australia's Department of Environment reported last week that 600 to 1000 gigalitres of water are flowing into Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre in South Australia from western Queensland, after a 2,000 kilometre band of rain swept across the country in March.
The deluge saw parts of the Queensland outback go underwater, with residents cut off for weeks. Now the water is spilling into Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, which has only filled to capacity three times in the past 160 years.
The full inundation is expected to breathe life back into the salt lake's crust, its wildlife, and the surrounding vegetation. As floodwaters arrive, they trigger a remarkable transformation — rare and dormant species burst into life, and others are drawn to the lake in spectacular numbers.
Speaking to Yahoo News on Friday, an SA National Parks and Wildlife Service spokesperson said the best way to see Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre "and the hundreds of species of birdlife that it attracts", is from the air.
"But visitors can witness the spectacle of the lake from dedicated viewing points within Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park," they said.
"The new management plan for the park, which was introduced in February this year, restricts recreational access to the lakebed, including visitors entering the lakebed on foot. All other recreational activities, including swimming, driving, boating and landing aircraft, are already restricted under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972."
Sitting 15 metres below sea level, Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre is Australia's lowest point and spans an immense 9,500 square kilometres. It is co-managed by the South Australian government and the Indigenous Arabana people, whose deep cultural ties to the region help guide its protection.
With the return of water, brine shrimp hatch from long-dormant eggs in the soil, providing food for fish swept in by the floods. Meanwhile, millions of waterbirds, including breeding species that migrate from as far as China and Japan, flock to the lake to feed, nest, and raise their young.
Viewing the rare event can be done from setting up your base at Halligan Bay Point Campground, which sits along the lake's edge. More than 10 hours' drive north of Adelaide, the site is 4WD access only. The site is flat and exposed, offering only basic amenities such as toilets and picnic shelters. For those seeking an alternative, camping is also available at Muloorina Bore, located north of Marree.
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National Parks and Wildlife Service District Ranger Travis Gotch said visiting Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre is a "unique experience", but it also requires caution, especially when camping at the remote location.
"Know where you're staying, drive to the conditions and make sure that you have enough food, water and resources to fully enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime trip," Gotch said.
"Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre is a special place. It deserves to be seen, but also to be preserved. Visitors can help by staying on marked tracks, taking all litter home and respecting the cultural significance of the lake and surrounds.
"Water will start to find its way into the north lake in early May, and there will be varying water levels for up to six months. The best times to visit would be between May and October."
Amy Barham from tour operator Outback Spirit told Yahoo News the water levels are expected to swell higher than in 1974, which was a huge flood year for Lake Eyre. "Lake Eyre flooding, historically, is usually every three to four years," Barham had earlier said.
"This year is set to have the most substantial water fill we've seen in the last 15 years." For the Arabana people, the lake is considered to be "sacred" and "dangerous to visit without the guidance of cultural authority". Swimming, driving off designated tracks, and boating were already prohibited when a fresh set of recreational bans came into force earlier this year, preventing visitors from walking on the lake bed.
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