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It might not be raining men right now, but Australia’s largest lake is about to get very, very wet. Deep in the South Australian Outback, Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre flooded for just the fourth time in 160 years last year. Now, record-breaking rainfall is setting the stage for another extraordinary flood year, with experts suggesting the lake could even reach full capacity in 2026.
Spanning 9,500 square kilometres, Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre is among the ten biggest salt lakes globally when fully flooded – a feat not seen in four decades.
When the floodwaters arrive, the normally arid outback transforms into a shimmering inland sea. Rivers, channels and floodplains converge across Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre National Park, igniting the desert with colour and life, while attracting prolific birdlife to its extraordinary landscape.
In 2025, Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre experienced its largest water fill in decades – but 2026 could bring an even bigger spectacle. After record rainfall across Queensland, the Northern Territory and Outback South Australia, experts suggest the lake could fill to full capacity this season – a rare event that has only occurred three times in its 160-year history.
Water is already flowing steadily toward the salt lake, with forecasts indicating the levels could even surpass the record depth of six metres from 1974.
The best way to witness this rare natural spectacle is from above. Guided flights are now available to book for the upcoming season, including with small-group operators like Outback Spirit and APT. See you in the sky!