Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre Flooding in 2023

South Australia’s Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre is a beautiful outback enigma and today, Outback Spirit has announced departures for its Lake Eyre & Wilpena Pound Adventure – a 7-day small-group touring adventure that takes in the spectacular sights of Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre as it is brought to life in flood.

The magic of Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre is when the lake floods, opening up networks of channels, streams and floodplains that converge in Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park, bringing a plethora of wildlife and a painter’s palette of colour. It doesn’t happen annually , though – this year is something special. Lake Eyre is set to come to life as the floodwater that drenched northwest Queensland last month slowly moves towards the inland salt pan. And with that water, comes life – birds, fish and frogs are the first to find the rarely-there water, and they do so in large numbers. From an aerial perspective, it’s the colours that take centre stage, shifting with the light and the landscape, in an ever-changing kaleidoscope of beauty.

Outback Spirit’s Lake Eyre & Wilpena Pound Adventure is a 7-day touring programme that takes in incredible views of Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre from the air via light-aircraft touring in turboprop planes that are perfect for lower-level flying , and at ground-level in comfortable Mercedes Benz coaches as the water brings new life to this parched region.

Luke Walker, Executive General Manager for Outback Spirit, says. “Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre is quite the sight as it comes to life with some help from Mother Nature in the form of rain. We’re thrilled that we have the opportunity to share this breathtaking spectacle with our guests this year, taking in the natural phenomenon from above and on land throughout our carefully crafted 7-day touring itinerary.”

The first Lake Eyre & Wilpena Pound Adventure departs on 1 July 2023, with further tours departing weekly.. This intimate, small-group adventure caters for a maximum of 26 people, who will travel in five-star, all terrain Mercedes-Benz luxury coaches and modern aircraft led by an expert two-person crew of tour driver and tour director, with all meals included.

Departing from and returning to Adelaide, the Lake Eyre & Wilpena Pound, 7-day small-group adventure includes the following highlights:

• Two mesmerising scenic flights
• Visit the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Gardens
• Fly over Lake Eyre and follow the water all the way up to Birdsville
• Marvel at Goyder Lagoon and the Simpson Desert from the air
• Travel the infamous Oodnadatta Track to William Creek
• Visit Birdsville and enjoy lunch at the iconic Birdsville Hotel
• Follow the Old Ghan Rail Line and visit the historic Coward Springs siding
• Take a guided walk through the tranquil Pound Gap into Wilpena Pound
• Visit the Old Wilpena Station precinct, one of South Australia’s oldest pastoral settlements.

 The 7-day Lake Eyre & Wilpena Pound tour is priced from $5,495*

* Terms & Conditions apply.