National park · Australia
Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park
Go only if you have a 4WD, a desert-ready kit and a reason to see the lake: drive in from William Creek or Marree, camp at Halligan Bay, and take a scenic flight over the water if it is in flood; skip the drive if rain is forecast.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
13,488 km²5,208 sq mi
approximate
Established
1985
Best months
May–Aug
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 13,488 km²5,208 sq mi
- About 13,488 km²; the park boundary includes Lake Eyre North and South and surrounding desert (check).
- Established
- 1985
- Best months
- May–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park protects Australia's largest salt lake and the desert around it: about 13,488 km² of gibber plains, dunes and salt pan in the South Australian outback, with no walking trails and no water. Most years the lake is a dry white pan; in the irregular flood years it fills from the north and turns into a breeding site for pelicans and other waterbirds. The park is reached by 4WD from William Creek or Marree, or seen from a scenic flight out of William Creek or Coober Pedy. The nearest comparable parks are Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert, further north and even more remote, and Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges to the east.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteFormerly Lake Eyre National Park; renamed Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park in 2012.
Size and age
13,488 km²5,208 sq mi · national park since 1985
About 13,488 km²; the park boundary includes Lake Eyre North and South and surrounding desert (check).
Why go
- Kati Thanda (Lake Eyre) is Australia's largest salt lake and one of the driest places on the continent; when it floods, it becomes a breeding site for waterbirds.
- The park is huge and almost empty of people: 13,488 km² of gibber plains, dunes and salt pan with no walking trails.
- Scenic flights from William Creek or Coober Pedy are the only practical way to see the lake's scale and colour.
- The Oodnadatta Track and the Birdsville Track run near the park, so the drive is part of the outback experience.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecAvoid
- JanExtreme heat, 40°C+; roads can be closedExtreme heat, 104°F+; roads can be closed
- FebExtreme heat; flash flood risk
- MarStill hot; rain possible
- AprCooling; good for driving
- MayMild days, cold nights; clear skies
- JunCool and dry; best for 4WD
- JulCold nights, clear days; peak outback season
- AugMild; wildflowers start
- SepWarming; wildflowers on dunes
- OctHot; check road conditions
- NovHot; storms possible
- DecExtreme heat; remote travel risky
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterbirds on flood years (pelicans, ducks, terns)All year · Only when the lake floods; most years it is dry. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Desert birds and reptilesApr–Sep · Active in the cooler months; watch from the vehicle. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Wildflowers on dunesAug–Oct · After good winter rain. | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From William Creek
4WD track east to Halligan Bay, 70 km; sandy and rough, no fuel or water.4WD track east to Halligan Bay, 43 mi; sandy and rough, no fuel or water.
2–3 h
From Marree
Via the Oodnadatta Track to William Creek, then the Halligan Bay track; or south from Marree to Muloorina and the lake edge.
3–5 h
From Coober Pedy
Scenic flight, or drive via the Oodnadatta Track to William Creek.
4–5 h drive; 1–2 h flight
From Adelaide
Drive via Port Augusta and the Oodnadatta Track; long remote stretch, fuel at Marree and William Creek.
10–12 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Eyre North | The main salt pan, usually dry; when flooded it fills from the north. | View from the air or from the edge; walking on the lake is prohibited. |
| Lake Eyre South | Smaller pan near the Oodnadatta Track; sometimes reachable by 2WD. | View from the track; do not walk on the salt. |
| Halligan Bay | Campground and lake-edge access on the western side. | 4WD only; camp with a booking. |
| Muloorina Station | Private land and campground near the southern edge. | Fees apply; respect station rules. |
Sketch map
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (vehicle) | Free | vehicle | No entry fee for this park; check current status with Parks SA (check). |
| Halligan Bay Campground | Free | night | Camping is free but must be booked online with Parks SA (check). |
| Scenic flight from William Creek | AUD 250–600 | person | 2026 estimate; 1–2 hour flights over the lake; prices vary by operator and route. |
| Scenic flight from Coober Pedy | AUD 400–900 | person | 2026 estimate; longer flights, often including the Painted Hills. |
| Muloorina Station campground | AUD 10–20 | person | 2026 estimate; privately run, fees apply. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Camping at Halligan Bay permit or guide
Scenic flight permit or guide
Park rules
- Walking on the lake
- Prohibited; the salt surface is fragile and the mud is dangerous.
- 4WD
- A 4WD is required for the Halligan Bay track and most lake access; 2WD only on parts of the Oodnadatta Track near Lake Eyre South.
- Water and fuel
- Carry all water and fuel; there is none in the park.
- Fires
- Check fire bans; no fires on total fire ban days.
- Drones
- Check Parks SA rules before flying; permission may be required (check).
Where to stay
In the park
Halligan Bay Campground
Basic campground with toilets and picnic shelters; no water; book with Parks SA.
Near the park
Muloorina Station
Private campground near the southern edge; fees apply.
Near the park
William Creek
Hotel, campground and fuel; the main base for scenic flights.
Near the park
Marree
Small town with accommodation and fuel on the Oodnadatta Track.
Safety
Remote roads and bogging high
Extreme heat high
No phone signal high
Flash floods medium
Accessibility
- The park is remote and unsealed; there are no paved paths or accessible trails.
- Scenic flights are the most accessible way to see the lake for visitors with limited mobility, but check with the operator.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on tracks; the gibber plains and dunes recover slowly.
- Do not walk on the salt lake; it damages the surface.
- Carry out all rubbish; there are no bins.
- Use a licensed scenic flight operator that follows park rules.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park?
There is no entry fee for the park itself. Camping at Halligan Bay is free but must be booked with Parks SA. Scenic flights cost roughly A$250–600 per person from William Creek (2026 estimate).
What are the best hikes in Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park?
There are no walking trails in the park, and walking on the lake is prohibited. The main activities are 4WD driving, camping at Halligan Bay and scenic flights.
When is the best time to visit Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park?
May to August is best: mild days, cold nights and dry roads. Avoid December to February because of extreme heat. Flood years, which are irregular, bring waterbirds and green desert.
Do I need a 4WD to visit the park?
Yes for the Halligan Bay track and most lake access. Parts of the Oodnadatta Track near Lake Eyre South can be done in a 2WD in dry weather, but you may need to walk the last few kilometres.
Can I walk on Lake Eyre?
No. Walking on the lake is prohibited because the salt surface is fragile and the mud is dangerous.
How do I see the lake if I don't have a 4WD?
Take a scenic flight from William Creek or Coober Pedy. Flights are the easiest way to see the lake's scale and colour.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go