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- SA National Parks Guide
Find a Park > Browse by region > Flinders Ranges & Outback > Lake Eyre
Lake Eyre National Park
Come and experience the stark wildness and timeless landscape of Australia's largest salt lake at Lake Eyre National Park.
Covering an area 144km long and 77km wide, Lake Eyre is an extensive salt sink which derives its mineralisation from the evaporation of floodwaters over thousands of years. Water from its three-state catchment area covers the lake about once every eight years. The lake has only filled to capacity three times in the last 150 years.
Seasonal rainfalls attract waterbirds such as Australian pelicans, silver gulls, red-necked avocets, banded stilts and gull-billed terns. When the lake floods it becomes a breeding site for enormous numbers of waterbirds, especially species that appear to be tolerant of salinity.
The best way to see Lake Eyre and take in its vastness is from the air. Scheduled scenic flights provide spectacular views across the park and showcase the seasonal wildlife.
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Location |
Lake Eyre National Park is located 60km east of William Creek. Access is via the Oodnadatta Track, or the Halligan Bay or Level Post Bay Public Access Routes. |
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Opening hours |
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. |
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Fees |
Vehicle entry and camping fees apply. A Desert Parks Pass is available for this park. |
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Contact us |
Desert Parks Hotline - 1800 816 078 |
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Facilities |
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Flora species |
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Important information |
Access may be restricted due to local road conditions. Please refer to the latest Desert Parks Bulletin for current access and road condition information. Ensure your vehicle is roadworthy and that you are carrying appropriate spare parts - including a strong jack, and if possible two spare wheels. Carry adequate supplies of fuel, food and water in case you get stranded. Carry appropriate communications such as a satellite phone, EPIRB and UHF radio. Notify a responsible person of your travel plans including arrival times and dates - contact them when you arrive at each notified stopover. If you break down do not leave your vehicle. This park may be closed on days of extreme fire danger. All wood and solid fuel fires are prohibited from 1 November to 31 March. Gas fires are permitted other than on days of Total Fire Ban. |
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Boating |
Written permission is required from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for boating on Lake Eyre. An entry permit or Desert Parks Pass does not allow boating on Lake Eyre. Any applications for permission to use the lake for boating will be assessed against safety, land access, and cultural heritage issues. Lake Eyre is culturally sensitive to the Arabunna people, and the cultural heritage issues that relate to recreational activities such as boating are currently being worked through. Although the Arabunna prefer that no-one walks on the lake because of their spiritual beliefs, walking on the lake's edge is permitted providing no damage to the local environment occurs. |
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Further information |
Lake Eyre National Park Brochure (593kb pdf) |
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