Explore Lake Eyre, Channel Country, and Wilpena Pound by air and see Australia’s outback in total comfort on this 2-day adventure!

When Queensland’s outback receives a soaking, attention shifts to Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre in South Australia, where one of nature’s most extraordinary transformations unfolds. As Australia’s largest salt lake, it draws travellers worldwide to witness the rare and mesmerising Lake Eyre flooding phenomenon. The floodwaters embark on a 1000-kilometre journey, creeping at a pace slower than a leisurely walk before finally settling in Belt Bay, the country’s lowest point at 15.2 metres below sea level.

Lake Eyre has only flooded four times in modern history, but the landscape is always breathtaking. For Graham Reid of Travel West, the journey to Lake Eyre is just as compelling as the destination itself. I joined him on a Lake Eyre scenic flight, a two-day outback aerial adventure from Brisbane to Port Augusta, covering 4000 kilometres of Channel Country and South Australia’s Flinders Ranges.

Boarding the plane in Port Augusta

Where is Lake Eyre?

Lake Eyre, officially known as Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre, is located in the remote heart of Outback Australia, in the northeastern region of South Australia. As the country’s largest salt lake and one of its most iconic natural wonders, Lake Eyre is surrounded by the vast and vibrant Channel Country—a network of intertwining rivers and floodplains that flow across Queensland and South Australia. The lake lies approximately 700 kilometres north of Adelaide and transforms into a shimmering oasis when seasonal floodwaters reach its basin. This rare phenomenon makes Lake Eyre scenic flights and Channel Country by air tours a bucket-list experience for travellers eager to witness Australia’s stark, dramatic beauty.

Lake Eyre Scenic Flights A 2-Day Adventure Across Australia’s Channel Country

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Plan Your Trip to the Departure Point – Brisbane

This flight leaves from Brisbane. Here are some helpful links:

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Outback Icons by Air Discover Lake Eyre, Wilpena Pound & Channel Country
Birdsville Pub
Have a drink at the Birdsville Pub

Day 1: Brisbane to Birdsville to Lake Eyre

Stepping aboard the high-winged Aerlink ATR72-500 aircraft, I realised this wasn’t your usual flight. Designed for low-altitude flying, the plane offered uninterrupted views of the unfolding landscapes, perfect for spotting the green veins of Channel Country post-flood. The aircraft was also remarkably quiet—ideal for listening to Graham’s engaging commentary peppered with fun facts and tales of outback Australia.

As we departed Brisbane, the rich dark soils of the Darling Downs gave way to solar and wind farms before the outback’s iconic rusty red hues took centre stage. Below, the Channel Country flood landscapes came alive, a testament to nature’s artistry.

After three hours, we landed in Birdsville, an outback town famous for its legendary Birdsville Hotel. A Carlton Dry at the pub’s Front Bar was a must (and the only way to properly experience this icon), though I resisted crossing the white line that signals it’s your shout! Nearby, the Birdsville Bakery—renowned for its curry camel pies—had sadly closed early, leaving me dreaming of a second chance to try one.

Back in the air, the Lake Eyre travel experience reached a crescendo as the shimmering white expanse of the lake came into view. From above, Lake Eyre looks like a giant spill of salt against the red sands, its channels and islands revealing ancient waterways and hidden stories. It’s an awe-inspiring moment, made even better by Graham’s narration.

Travel West Lake Eyre Channel Country flight I

Day 2: Port Augusta to Wilpena Pound and Beyond

After an overnight stay at The Standpipe Motor Inn in Port Augusta, I was ready for another day of discovery. A short morning circuit around town gave us a glimpse of Port Augusta’s highlights before we boarded the plane for a detour over the Flinders Ranges.

Here, the majestic Wilpena Pound, a natural amphitheatre of mountains, unfolded beneath us. According to Aboriginal legend, it was formed by two giant serpents that overindulged at a ceremonial feast and couldn’t move. The Wilpena Pound aerial tour offered a perspective of this stunning landscape that left everyone onboard amazed.

Next, we flew over the Marree Man, the world’s second-largest geoglyph, etched into the desert near Lake Eyre South. This mysterious 4.2-kilometre-tall figure of an Aboriginal hunter holding a woomera remains a subject of intrigue. Who created it? No one knows for sure, but locals suspect it was American soldiers stationed in Woomera.

After a buffet lunch at Charleville Airport, the final leg of our journey back to Brisbane began. High clouds blanketed the sky, offering a serene backdrop for reflection on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure. The contrasts of shimmering salt flats, Channel Country flood landscapes, and the vibrant greens of a rejuvenated outback painted a picture of Australia’s untamed beauty.

Fly Over Lake Eyre and Wilpena Pound
Travel West Lake Eyre Channel Country flight
Port Augusta airport

Plan Your Adventure

For those inspired to witness Lake Eyre and the Channel Country by air, Travel West runs regular two-day tours from Brisbane, including unforgettable Wilpena Pound scenic flights. Prefer a ground-level perspective? Their tag-along tours let you explore the rugged beauty of outback Australia at your own pace.

Visit Travel West for more information.

Caption: Deb and Graham Reid, Travel West

Deb and Graham Reid Travel West