Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park

Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park (formerly Lake Eyre National Park) is in the Outback region of South Australia. The park is huge and has an area of 13,488.37 km² (5,207.89 sq mi), about the size of several tiny European countries, but with very little human impacts. The park's main feature is Lake Eyre or Kati Thanda, which is the Australia's largest salt lake.

It is one of the continent's most important reserves of Australasian wildlife.

Understand

Get in

By scenic flight

Scenic flights are an easy way to see the lake. Flights are available from Coober Pedy and from William Creek.

By car

If you drive to see Lake Eyre in flood, you have to plan the logistics carefully. If you have visions of driving to the water's edge, parking and looking out over the lake, then think again. Lake Eyre is shallow, even when in flood. Much of the lake is only 20-30 cm in depth. As you approach the lake, the land becomes boggy a fair distance from what you may consider to be the edge of the water. Higher points of land to view over the lake a few and far between, although you may find an earth mound here and there.

The roads leading to the lake are remote country. Roads have a tendency to be boggy. People have died on these roads after becoming bogged. Take the precautions surrounding remote country travel, and be prepared to turn around rather than take risks.

A 4wd is necessary to access the lake. The Oodnadatta track passes close to Lake Eyre South, and parts of the lake there are accessible by 2wd. However, you may need to get out and walk the last few kilometres as you approach the lake edge. Take care.

Fees and permits

Bookings have to be made via the SA Parks website which can be found here. Most of the time, you'll need to pay $12, although this can vary.

Get around

Your only hope for getting around is via car or via the scenic flight although the scenic flight isn't for getting around the park.

See

The lake is famous for flamingoes and other birds and the lake itself which you can get from an aerial flight. Photography also is something that any keen photographer shouldn't miss here. Apart from that, not much.

Do

There are zero bushwalking trails in this park, and it is not a good idea to walk on the lake due to its cultural significance by the Indigenous Arabana people.

Buy, eat and drink

If you venture into the park in your own vehicle, whatever you need you will need to take with you. There is nothing available within the park. This includes all supplies and water.

Sleep

• 1 Halligan Bay Campground, No address (70 km east from William Creek on the lake edge). Campground which includes toilets and two picnic shelters. (updated Dec 2021)
• 2 Muloorina Station, Muloorina Rd, Muloorina. Privately owned campground. Separate fees apply. (updated Dec 2021)

Stay safe

Take precautions for remote area travel.

Go next

• Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert National Park is Australia's largest national park, even larger and more remote than Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park