Lake Eyre Spectacular

5 Day Tour

$3395 per person (twin share) 2025
Contact us for Senior discount.
Single supplement $330

Departure dates 2025

28th May – 3 seats left
25th June – 3 seats left
2nd July – 12 seats left
23rd July – 5 seats left
13th August – 7 seats left
3rd September – 9 seats left
17th September – 15 seats left

Highlights

1 hour scenic flight over lake Eyre with Wright’s Air and stop at the lake’s shore, Clare Valley, Flinders Ranges, Wilpena Pound, Brachina Gorge, Oodnadatta Track, Coober Pedy, Breakaways and guided tour of the Arid Lands botanic Gardens.

About Lake Eyre

An extraordinary natural spectacle is unfolding in the heart of South Australia—one that promises to be nothing short of breathtaking. As floodwaters from Queensland journey south, they are set to transform the vast salt flats of Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre into a shimmering inland sea—possibly the most significant filling in over 15 years.

In recent weeks, torrential rains have sent powerful surges down Warburton Creek and Cooper Creek, flooding remote towns and flowing swiftly into the lake basin. As the floodwaters dissolve the salt crust, the landscape undergoes a dramatic metamorphosis—revealing a stunning, glassy expanse that captivates all who see it. This rare event is a magnet for nature lovers, bird watchers, and photographers eager to witness the desert come alive.

Lake Eyre is Australia’s largest Salt Lake and one of its most elusive wonders, having reached full capacity only three times in the past 160 years. Stretching 144 kilometres long and 77 kilometres wide, and resting 15.2 metres below sea level, it becomes a vibrant oasis during flood events. The surrounding desert bursts into colour—hues of pink, orange, and green dance across the landscape—while thousands of waterbirds, including pelicans and banded stilts, arrive in a stunning display of nature’s instinct and timing.

This year’s floodwaters cover a catchment of 1.2 million square kilometres—17% of Australia’s landmass—draining in from as far afield as Mount Isa, Alice Springs, and Longreach. It’s one of the most awe-inspiring hydrological events on Earth.

Don’t Miss This Rare Opportunity

The best way to truly experience this marvel is by joining a guided tour. Gekko Safari offers an unforgettable 5-day adventure, including a scenic flight over the lake—offering breathtaking aerial views of this natural masterpiece. While direct access to the lakebed is restricted to preserve its cultural and ecological importance, you’ll enjoy spectacular vistas from designated viewing points.

Moments like this don’t come often. Be among the few to witness Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre in full bloom—a surreal landscape where sky meets water, life returns to the desert, and memories are made to last a lifetime.

Secure your place now—nature’s masterpiece is waiting.

Itinerary

Adelaide / Flinders Ranges (includes lunch & dinner)

Pick up from your Adelaide CBD accommodation or central bus station at approx 7.00 am and head north to the Clare Valley which is well renowned for its excellent wines, with time to visit Seven Hills grounds, the oldest winery in the region established by the Jesuits in 1851.

We travel to Melrose, a lovely little town nestled in the foothills of the Flinders Ranges where we stop for lunch. Driving further north we arrive at Quorn which became the junction of the Sydney-Perth and Adelaide-Darwin railway systems in 1917.

After visiting Jeff Morgan’s Wilpena panorama in the town of Hawker, we arrive late afternoon in time to see the sunset over the Ranges as kangaroos come out to feed. Tonight enjoy a relaxing meal, o/n en-suite accommodation in the Flinders Ranges.

Flinders Ranges / Marree (includes breakfast, lunch & dinner)

After breakfast we take a walk along the beautiful Wilpena Creek framed by huge river red gums, where we can see the mystical heart of the Flinders Ranges with stunning views of this magical land.

Continuing our journey exploring Brachina and Bunyeroo gorge we discover their priceless geological treasures, crystal clear water holes and an abundance of flora and fauna including the rare yellow footed rock wallaby.

After lunch we head to the Parachilna Hotel for a coffee stop before travelling into the desert country up the Oodnadatta Track. We follow the old Ghan railway line and arrive at Lyndhurst to explore the ochre cliffs.

Late afternoon we arrive at Marree, a town at the junction of the famous Birdsville Track which is still populated by descendents of Afghan cameleers and with a rich history as a staging post for the large camel trains carrying goods in the early days.

O/n en-suite accommodation in Marree. You will be staying in an ensuite cabin and be welcomed with the friendly hospitality of the outback.

Marree / Coober Pedy (includes breakfast, lunch & dinner)

We start the day with a visit of the Arabanna Aboriginal Centre (if open) with its display of art, weapons and local information. Back on the Oodnadatta track we explore artesian spring’s ecosystem, arriving at the shores of Lake Eyre, to marvel at this inland sea.

This is followed by lunch at William Creek. We then enjoy a captivating scenic flight over Lake Eyre North, the best way to fully enjoy the vastness of this amazing place. We then head for the opal capital of the world, Coober Pedy.

We will travel past the famous dingo fence and through the world’s largest cattle station, Anna Creek, before arriving in Coober Pedy.

O/n hotel en-suite accommodation. These original basic dwellings have now been developed to a point where luxurious underground homes and hotels, known as dugouts, have been planned and built.

Coober Pedy to Woomera (includes breakfast, lunch & dinner)

This morning we start with a guided tour explaining the history of Coober Pedy and a 20 minutes award-winning documentary presented in an underground theatrette on three panoramic screens. We will learn about the opal industry including an opal cutting demonstration.

This will be followed by visiting an underground dugout home and the Serbian underground church. We then head out to the breakaways reserve, a colourful land formation derived from the evaporation of an inland, ancient, Australian sea.

We return to Coober Pedy for lunch via the dog fence and the moon plains.

Heading along the Stuart Highway, with tracts of desert scenery stretching out as far as the eye can see.

We stop at Glendambo and then arrive at Woomera which was one of the world’s busiest launch site for testing rockets and missiles during the 1950’s and 1960’s. O/n Roxby Downs accommodation.

Woomera to Adelaide (includes breakfast & Lunch)

This morning we depart for Port Augusta, situated on the quiet waterways at the head of the Spencer Gulf.

On arrival we will enjoy a 1 hour tour of the Arid Lands Botanic Gardens. The Garden showcases a diverse collection of arid zone habitats in a picturesque setting of more than 250 hectares.

After lunch we head south and stop at Port Germein, once an important transport hub for the surrounding districts following the opening of its jetty in 1881 – at the time known as the longest jetty in the Southern Hemisphere (1680m, about 100,000 bags of wheat were loaded per year).

We arrive in Adelaide at around 6.30pm and drop you off at your hotel.

Bookings & Enquiries

Now is the moment to seize the opportunity and immerse yourself in the splendour of the outback as it flourishes. Contact Gekko safari to book a tour of a life time!

Phone us: 0423 483 780

Email us: admin@gekkosafari.com.au