Lake Eyre Information

Lake Eyre Information

This huge, remote and arid 1,349,251-hectare park (includes Elliot Price Conservation Park) incorporates Lake Eyre north and south, as well as a portion of the adjoining Tirari Desert. Lake Eyre Basin, the watershed of Lake Eyre, is one of the largest internal drainage systems in the world and overlies the Great Artesian Basin.

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Normally dry, Lake Eyre is an extensive ‘salt sink’, deriving its mineralisation from countless years of floodwater evaporation. Lake Eyre has had water in it a number of times in the last century but has filled to capacity only three times in the past 150 years. The most extensive flooding occurred in 1974 after exceptional rains in inland Australia. Prolific bird life abounds when the lake is flooded.

Vegetation is generally sparse with cane grass and scattered clumps of mulga and acacias on the red sand dunes. Nitre-bush, Samphire, Needlebush and native Willow are also present. The unique Lake Eyre Dragon is a highly specialized lizard, which has adapted to live on the margins of salt lakes.

Day visitor access to Lake Eyre north is available via a Public Access Route through Muloorina Station to Level Post Bay (eastern side of lake). There is a private campground on Muloorina approximately 40 kilometres from Lake Eyre. Camping and day visiting is also available at Halligan Bay (western side) via a Public Access Route, which runs from the Oodnadatta Track for a distance of 67 kilometres. Entry and camping fees apply. Good views of Lake Eyre south are available from the Oodnadatta Track, five kilometres south of Curdimurka (approximately 90 kilometres from Marree). No permit is required for this area.

The park remains largely inaccessible and travellers must be well prepared. Tracks are suitable for four wheel drive vehicles only and reserves of fuel, water and food must be carried.

The best time to visit is between April and October. Following inland rains, roads can be closed due to flooding.

Entry and camping fees apply. Permits are available from the William Creek Store, a self-registration bay near the turn off to Halligan Bay and Marree's Outback Roadhouse. Call the Desert Parks Hotline on 1800 816 078 for further information.

Driving on the surface of Lake Eyre is not permitted. Vehicles can easily get bogged or overturn in the soft salt-encrusted mud. In this remote area, a vehicle stranding can be a lie-threatening situation.