2026 LAKE EYRE AIR SAFARI

Lake Eyre flooding is rare. Here’s what you can expect if you join our 30 May or 20 June air safari in 2026.

Lake Eyre – Kati Thanda, is a vast salt lake located in central Australia and forms the lowest point on the continent. Lake Eyre normally appears as a dry, white salt pan, however, during rare flooding events, it transforms into a large inland sea. These floods are driven by rainfall occurring hundreds or even thousands of kilometres away in Queensland and parts of the Northern Territory. Water flows through a network of rivers collectively known as the Lake Eyre Basin river system, that includes Cooper Creek, the Diamantina River, and Georgina River.

Major floods occur only a few times each century, with smaller partial fillings happening more frequently. These events depend heavily on monsoonal rains and tropical weather systems in northern Australia. Recent historic big fills into Lake Eyre were in 2000 & 2010 with the largest filling being 1974. Locals in the catchment area are telling us that this year could be on par with 1974, maybe not quite as big but right up there. The amount of rainfall in central Australia has brought the centre alive like never before, it’s green as far as you can see. It is going to be one of the best years to get on a flight with Travel West out of Brisbane and let Graham talk you through two days of pure unbelievable history with amazing sights.

With so much water left over in Lake Eyre from 2025, inflows from the Warburton River to the north and Cooper Creek from the east it’s no wonder Lake Eyre is going to be at near record levels since the biggest filling in 52 years. When heavy rainfall fills upstream rivers, water travels slowly across flat floodplains, often taking months to reach the lake. This delayed flow means Lake Eyre flooding can occur long after rainfall has ceased in distant regions.

The western river systems that feed into Lake Eyre are unique due to their ephemeral nature. Unlike permanent rivers, these systems do not flow continuously. Instead, they rely on seasonal rainfall and can remain dry for extended periods. When floods do occur, the rivers spread widely across the landscape, forming intricate channels and wetlands known as the Channel Country.

Even if you’ve flown over Lake Eyre from William Creek or Marree, seeing Lake Eyre flying from Brisbane with Travel West is a whole different experience. You’ll fly over the Darling Downs and the Channel Country and hear from Graham about all the river systems that feed into the amazing Lake Eyre Basin. He may even buy you a nice cold drink when we stop at the iconic Birdsville Hotel!

Lake Torrens also has heaps of water for us to have a look at as we fly south towards Wilpena Pound and onto Port Augusta for the night.  The Flinders Ranges are so green after all the rain in the area you may never see it like this again.

In conclusion, Lake Eyre flooding is a rare but transformative event driven by distant rainfall and complex river systems. The western rivers that feed the basin are vital in sustaining ecosystems and shaping the landscape. Together, they illustrate the dynamic and interconnected nature of Australia’s inland environment and 2026 is going to be a fabulous year to join Graham on a 2-Day Lake Eyre Package from Brisbane. Departures 30 May and 20 June 2026.