Lake Eyre’s Flooding - How to See The Rare Natural Wonder

The Lake Eyre flooding event of 2025 is the biggest in 50 years

As of August 2025, Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre is experiencing its most significant flooding in over half a century. This is a once-in-a-generation event, fed by sustained rainfall across Queensland and the Channel Country, transforming the usually dry saltpan into a vast inland sea teeming with life and colour.

 
Is there water in Lake Eyre now? Can you still visit?

There is, and it’s spectacular. With floodwaters peaking now and expected to remain through November 2025, this is one of the longest and fullest flooding periods on record. You absolutely can visit, and this is the moment to do it. Birds are arriving en masse, desert wildflowers are blooming, and the dramatic contrast of water against the outback’s red earth is something you truly have to see for yourself.

 
What’s the best time to visit?

While the flooding may last into late 2026, August to November 2025 is peak viewing season. The lake is currently at its fullest, the surrounding landscapes are at their most vibrant, and wildlife activity is at a high. As temperatures rise and water levels gradually recede, the scenery will change, still beautiful, but different. If you want to see Lake Eyre at its most alive, go sooner rather than later.

 
Our Top Tours for Seeing Lake Eyre While It's Flooding

4 Day Tour | Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre Flight & Flinders Ranges Small Group Eco Tour

This small-group eco-adventure is a standout. Departing Adelaide, you’ll travel by 4WD through the Flinders Ranges, Quorn, Bunyeroo and Brachina Gorges, Clare Valley, and Warrens Gorge in search of Yellow-Footed Rock Wallabies.

The highlight is a six-hour scenic flight over Wilpena Pound, the Painted Hills, and Lake Eyre at its fullest. Days are filled with guided walks, wildlife encounters, and campfire evenings, while nights are spent at Wilpena Pound Resort. Meals are included, the group size is intimate, and the pace balances adventure with comfort. A classic South Australian wilderness experience.

7 Day Tour |  Adelaide to Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre Small Group Eco Safari

For a fuller immersion, this week-long safari explores Coober Pedy, Arkaroola, the Oodnadatta Track, Wilpena Pound, and Lake Eyre. Travel in a luxury 4WD with expert guides, stay in unique accommodations like Coober Pedy’s underground motels and Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, and choose optional scenic flights over the lake and Painted Hills.

A true outback safari with comfort and character.

14 Day Tour | Outback South Australia & Kangaroo Island

This premium, all‑inclusive journey is the most complete way to experience South Australia in one sweep. Over 14 days you’ll travel from Adelaide through the Flinders Ranges to Arkaroola and Coober Pedy, take scenic flights over Lake Eyre and the Painted Hills, and then slow down for three nights on Kangaroo Island.

Expect a guided walk into Wilpena Pound, the Ridge Top 4WD at Arkaroola, time along the historic Oodnadatta Track, and a Penfolds Magill Estate visit en route back to the city.

On Kangaroo Island you’ll head out on a marine safari, meet sea lions at Seal Bay, and explore Flinders Chase National Park, from Remarkable Rocks to Admiral’s Arch. With 4‑star stays, expert guides, and meals included throughout, it’s a polished two‑week itinerary that stitches together the outback’s drama with the Island’s coastal wildlife.

APT Touring | 7 Day Tour | Lake Eyre & Flinders Ranges 

A 7-day Lake Eyre and Flinders Ranges is a mid-length tour option, combining iconic outback towns with standout experiences. From Adelaide, you’ll travel through Port Augusta, Quorn, and the legendary Oodnadatta Track before arriving at Marree and Birdsville. The highlight is a Signature Scenic Flight over Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre, where floodwaters create vast mosaics of pinks and blues across the salt flats.

Other inclusions range from sunset drinks in the Simpson Desert to a stay at the famous Birdsville Hotel, a walk into Wilpena Pound, and fine dining in the Clare Valley.

With internal flights included, hand-picked stays like Wilpena Pound Resort, and APT’s signature level of service, this is a streamlined way to see the lake in flood while still covering plenty of South Australia’s most iconic landscapes.

8 Day Tour | South Australian Outback Adventure

For travellers who want a mix of South Australia’s outback drama and cultural colour, AAT Kings offers an eight-day journey that threads together the highlights with an accessible pace. Starting in Adelaide, you’ll explore the city and taste your way through Clare Valley wines before heading deep into the Flinders Ranges.

Enjoy evening star gazing, where astronomy tours reveal clear night skies. The adventure continues north to Marree and the Oodnadatta Track, with a flight over Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre and the extraordinary Anna Creek Painted Hills. T

wo nights in Coober Pedy provide a chance to experience its quirky underground lifestyle, from opal mines to subterranean hotels, before the tour loops back through Port Augusta, Woomera, and the Barossa Valley.

With a balance of natural wonders, Indigenous stories, and regional food and wine, this is a rounded introduction to the South Australian outback.

10 Day Tour | Intrepid South Australia Outback

For travellers looking for a small-group journey with a deeper cultural and community focus, Intrepid’s 10-day South Australia Outback Adventure offers a more immersive take on the region.

Starting in Adelaide, you’ll journey north through Woomera, Coober Pedy and William Creek, following the legendary Oodnadatta Track. There’s the chance to take an optional scenic flight over Lake Eyre, plus a picnic lunch on its shores to soak in the sheer vastness of this inland sea.

Along the way, you’ll visit the Farina ghost town, the mound springs of Wabma Kadarbu, and enjoy a local history walk in Marree. Cultural immersion comes at Iga Warta, where you’ll stay on Country with the Adnyamathanha people, learning about bush foods, stories, and traditions around the campfire.

Nights in Arkaroola and Wilpena Pound balance out the experience with wilderness hikes, star-filled skies, and authentic First Nations tours of Sacred Canyon.

The adventure finishes in the Clare Valley with a tasting at a local vineyard. With a focus on community, culture, and off-grid experiences, this is an excellent choice for those who want to connect with the outback on a more personal level.

Ready to Go? Don’t Wait Too Long.

This isn’t a sight that sticks around. Lake Eyre’s floodwaters rise and recede on nature’s schedule, and while this flooding is expected to continue into late 2026, 2025 is when the lake is at its most dramatic. Our tours are timed to make the most of the season, with expert operators who know how to get you there safely, and in style.

If seeing this rare spectacle is on your list, now is the time to lock it in. Our local travel agents can tailor a trip to suit you.