Australia’s largest inland lake is experiencing one of its rarest and most spectacular floods in decades, and Kati Thanda - Lake Eyre local and pilot Trevor Wright is ensuring APT guests have a front row seat to a once in a lifetime spectacle.

What’s happening at Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre right now?

This season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in decades. Every major catchment feeding the lake is wet, local rains have filled surrounding creeks, and the lake already has a depth of about 1.9 metres. Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre has a north and south lake and both of these have massive amounts of water in them now. The current water is just from local rainfall over the coming months we will start to see the floodwaters from Central Australia and southwest Queensland flow into the lake. Conditions are reminiscent of the record-breaking 1974 flood, making it a rare opportunity for visitors to see the lake near its full glory.

Where does all the water come from?

The lake is fed by an enormous 1.2-million-square-kilometre catchment across Queensland and the Northern Territory, one of the largest inland drainage systems in the world. In a typical year, almost all of the water flows from these upstream regions, but this season, local rainfall has contributed significantly, adding to the lake’s spectacular rise.

What is it like to see the lake from the air?

Flying over the lake at sunrise is breathtaking. The water can become perfectly smooth, reflecting the sky and clouds like a natural mirror. When conditions are right, the lake even turns bright pink, and the combination of white shores and endless blue skies creates a surreal, almost otherworldly landscape.

Does it ever lose its magic, having flown here for decades?

The lake never loses its magic. The patterns, colours, and water levels are constantly evolving, so every flight reveals something new. Even after thousands of flights, each visit shows a slightly different view, making every experience unique.

What kind of wildlife can visitors see during flood years?

Floods transform the desert into a rich habitat for birds and other wildlife. Hundreds of thousands of pelicans, ducks, swans, and other waterbirds gather around the creeks and inlets, while follow-up rains bring bursts of wildflowers and patches of green across the desert. Visitors are essentially flying over a living, breathing inland sea.

How rare is this opportunity?

Very rare. Major fills only happen every couple of decades, and completely filling the lake has occurred only a few times in the past 160 years. These events depend entirely on rainfall across vast parts of inland Australia, so when it happens, it’s an opportunity not to be missed. This year is unusual as we have experienced so much local rainfall over 1.5 times our annual average in a month and that has meant that we are off to a very wet start before the floodwater comes through the catchment.

Why is an aerial tour the best way to experience it?

The scale of Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre is impossible to appreciate from the ground. Spanning 9,500 square kilometres, which is about the size of Greater Melbourne, the patterns of floodwater, congregations of wildlife, and vivid colours are best viewed from the air. Only a flight can capture the full magnitude and beauty of this inland sea.

Why should people book a tour now?

The lake is constantly changing as water arrives and evaporates, so timing is everything. With this season’s rare combination of upstream flows and local rains, the lake is displaying conditions that may not be seen again for years. Visitors who book now can witness the lake at one of its most spectacular moments.