Australia National Parks - SA Outback

South Australia Outback - Lake Eyre National Park

Lake Eyre National Park is about as far away from it all as you are likely to get in Australia or, for that matter, in most other countries of the world. The 1,349,251 ha of the Park is largely inaccessible, a stark, inhospitable wilderness where a vehicle breakdown can quickly develop into a life threatening situation.

Standing on the shore of the normally dry salt lake, many people experience an emotional response, sometimes fear, sometimes wonder or a sense of personal insignificance. This is a timeless, disorientating landscape, particularly when the horizon is lost in a shimmer of heat. Despite its vast size, Lake Eyre North, which includes the Elliot Price Conservation Park, is rarely seen by visitors except from passing aircraft.

Lake Eyre National Park covers an area of 1,349,251 ha. Water from its three-State catchment area covers the lake about once every eight years on average. It has filled, or had water in it a number of times in the twentieth century, including 1956, 1971, 1974, 1976, 1989 and 1997. Lake Eyre has filled to capacity only three times in the past 150 years. The most extensive flooding occurred in 1974 when the lake filled to capacity with up to 34 cubic kilometres of water.

Location

There are two access tracks to Lake Eyre National Park. One turns off the Oodnadatta Track approximately 7 km south-east of William Creek and runs to Halligan Bay via Armistice Bore and ABC Bay, a distance of 64 km. The second runs 94 km north from Marree to Level Post Bay via Muloorina Station. Both tracks cross pastoral properties and are suitable for 4WD vehicles only

Further Information

Webpage: Lake Eyre National Park

South Australia Dept of Environment and Heritage
1 Richmond Road,
Keswick SA 5035
Phone: 61 (8) 8204 1910