Anyone who studied Aussie geography at school has probably heard of Lake Eyre. Officially called Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, meaning ‘great lake’ in the language of the Traditional Arabana Land Owners, this mammoth body of water is the largest lake in Australia and among the top ten salt lakes globally when fully flooded – something that happens only rarely.
Earlier this year, Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre flooded for the fourth time in 160 years, transforming its crystallised salt pan into a stunning canvas of peachy pink and orange hues. This rare spectacle is one of the world’s most surreal natural phenomena – here’s everything you need to know about it.
Where is Lake Eyre?
Set deep in the Australian Outback, Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre is located around 650 kilometres north of Adelaide in South Australia. It’s both the country’s lowest geographical point and its largest salt lake.
How big is Lake Eyre?
At full capacity, Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre spans 9,500 square kilometres, measuring around 144 kilometres in length and up to 77 kilometres wide, with waters reaching depths of up to six metres.
When will Lake Eyre fill again?
Australia’s largest lake is actually rarely a lake – most of the time, it’s a shimmering crystallised salt pan with little to no water. But after heavy rainfall, which happens roughly three or four times a century, it fills out dramatically, becoming a breeding site for thousands of waterbirds, fish and wildflowers.
Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre most recently flooded in May 2025, following months of record-breaking rainfall that began in Queensland. The heavy rains swelled rivers flowing toward the lake, finally reaching it at the start of May. This marked only the fourth time in 160 years that Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre has flooded, and the most water it’s held in six years. Famously fickle, it’s hard to predict when the lake will fill next.
Why is Lake Eyre pink?
As the floodwaters begin to evaporate, Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre can take on a stunning pinkish-orange hue, thanks to pigments produced by salt-loving algae that live in the lake. The result is a surreal landscape that looks like something straight from a Pinterest board. Your best bet at seeing this natural wonder is from above on a scenic flight.
How to get to Lake Eyre?
Witnessing the pink-and-orange spectacle is a once-in-a-lifetime experience – but getting to Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre isn’t easy. You’ll need to fly from Adelaide to Coober Pedy, then drive five hours across rugged outback roads. To make the journey easier, we recommend joining a guided flight tour.
When is the best time to visit Lake Eyre?
The best time to visit Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre is during the cooler months from April to October, when the lake is more likely to fill with water following rainfall from northern Queensland.