Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre is in a huge catchment area of about 1,200,000 square kilometres. While mostly dry, it fills partially after significant rain events. According to the National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia, the lake has only been completely filled to capacity three times between 1860 and June 2025.
It was the site of a land speed record by Donald Campbell in 1964.
With the rain of 2025-6, it gave us a rare opportunity to see the Lake Eyre and the Channel Country at its best.
Flight path between William Creek and Birdsville.
See Marree in the centre, south of the lake, and Arkaroola bottom right.
Thursday August 13th
We drove from Coober Pedy to William Creek and flew to Birdsville across Lake Eyre. There had been some concern that recent rain might have left the Oodnadatta Track impassable, but APT head office gave us the go ahead, and apart from a few deep puddles we made it fine.
4WDs in William Creek
William Creek pub
Several small planes needed to fly 22 people acoss Lake Eyre
Another chance to act as co-pilot, in a Cessna 210
Dulhunty Island on Lake Eyre, a favourite spot for pelicans
Coopers Creek flowing into the north of Lake Eyre
Warburton River
Coopers Creek flowing into Lake Eyre from Queensland
Four young pilots to fly us from Birdsville back to William Creek, over the Channel Country and then Lake Eyre. We were very fortunate that the Lake was relatively full, and the country was very green. Such things occur rarely. See the ABC video below, shot on 26 Jun 2026.
Colourful wild flowers create a rainbow effect
Sand dunes in the Simpson Desert
Many pelicans on Dulhunty Island
Marree Man. He needs a haircut, as his outline is becoming obscured
Marree Man in 1998. He is about 2.7 km tall with a perimeter of 28 km.
The drive along the Oodnadatta Track did not exactly go to plan. We got bogged in a deep spot. Barefoot passengers failed to push the coach out, and we were rescued after about three hours by an SES/Fire-truck.
SES truck to the rescue.
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