Scenic Flight: Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, Channel Country and William Creek Half Day Tour
When it rains in large areas of Queensland, floodwaters within the Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre basin catchment area converge in the Channel Country and breathe life into the vast floodplains while making their way to the magnificent Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre!
This water makes a remarkable journey originating from the far northern reaches of the Diamantina River before flowing through Birdsville before it makes its way towards the Goyder Lagoon. After turning this wetland into an oasis of green interspersed by thousands of finger-like channels, the water makes its way into the Warburton River traversing the Simpson Desert before reaching its final destination of Lake Eyre.
Covering almost 10,000 square kilometres, Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre is a spectacle from the air no matter what the season but when flooded, becomes a bucket list opportunity. The inflowing water, which is measured in cubic kilometres, completely transforms the usually dry and arid area into something that has to be seen to be believed.
The tiny outpost of William Creek in remote South Australia is the closest settlement to Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre and while its population is miniscule, its lure as a bucket list destination for tourists is impressive. William Creek and the iconic William Creek Hotel is the perfect landing spot for us to stretch our legs, enjoy a complementary bite to eat and refreshment before continuing on the return leg of our extremely popular Half Day Tour.
Memories - Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre in Flood 2025
Points of Interest
Inclusions
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$1295 pp for departures with 4 or more people
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$1395 pp for departures with 3 people
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$1595 pp for departures with 2 people
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Duration: approx 5 - 5.5 hours
Flight time 4 hours with 1 hour ground time
Flight Route Details
Your flight departs Birdsville and takes you west over Big Red and the QAA line where it turns south to follow the Eyre Creek. You will overfly Alton Downs Station before arriving overhead the breathtaking green floodplains of Goyder Lagoon. From here we overfly Clifton Hills station before traversing the seemingly endless parallel sand dunes of the Simpson Desert, the largest of its kind in the world. We cross the Kallakoopah Creek before joining the Warburton River which sweeps dramatically through the Tirari Desert as it arrives at the northern end of Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre.
The continuation of the Warburton River flows through the centre of Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre North and is known simply as the Warburton Groove. We follow this channel to the south into Belt Bay which is the deepest point and lowest point below sea level in Australia.
After a couple of circuits of the area we head west to the quirky little town of William Creek on the Oodnadatta Track and Old Ghan Railway Line. We land here for a short break and some morning or afternoon tea. After a little stroll through the town which is situated in the middle of Anna Creek Station, the largest station in the world, we reboard the aircraft for the second leg of the flight.
We fly back over Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre taking in the where the Cooper Creek intersects the eastern shoreline. From here we fly over the patterns of the Sturt Stony desert before finding ourselves once again in the remarkable channel country of the Goyder Lagoon where thousands of finger-like channels breathe life into a vast area that is an oasis for an abundance of wildlife. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for Camels, Cattle, Dingos, and large flocks of migratory birds as we continue northwest to pick up the southern delta of the Diamantina River wedged between the contrasting Simpson Desert and Sturt Stony Desert. We continue to follow the Diamantina River past Pandie Pandie Station and the Birdsville Racecourse, home of the famous Birdsville Races before landing and taxiing back to the Birdsville Hotel to celebrate your flight and the sheer magic of Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre.
How to Book
Bookings can be made any number of ways including:
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Submitting our online booking form below.
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Email your booking request to bookings@birdsvillehotel.com.au.
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In person at the Birdsville Hotel reception.
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By phoning hotel reception on 07 4656 3244.