Floodwaters breathe life into South Australia

The world's largest salt lake, Lake Eyre in South Australia is once again bursting into life as Queensland floodwaters flow along normally dormant creeks and rivers to reach Australia's lowest point, 15 metres below sea level.

Located 700 kms from Adelaide, Lake Eyre, which has only filled to the brim three times in the last 160 years, last saw water in 2000 when it became half full.

Normally inhospitable to wildlife, when flowing with water Lake Eyre is transformed into Australia's largest lake, a wildlife oasis brimming with flora and fauna. Pelicans, gulls and terns follow the water, whilst camels and other wildlife are drawn by the water's scent.

Yellow-bellied fish and fingerlings have started to appear providing birds with a feast. Plants are springing up around the water's edge and should Lake Eyre become 80% full it is likely that 85 different species of birds will descend on the area making this one of the most spectacular places to visit in Australia in the next couple of months.

Nature loving travellers have the rare and unexpected opportunity of seeing a lake reborn as numerous local operators offer a selection of tours, expeditions and flights to witness this rare phenomenon which is expected to last for another two or three months before the lake turns back into a saltpan:

- Wrightsair (wrightsair.com.au) has charter flights affording fantastic views of the prehistoric river systems that enter the lake, forming a magnificent pattern of colour.

- Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary (arkaroola.com.au) in the Flinders Ranges has two daily, four-hour aerial tours that include flying over the Marree Man.

- Wilpena Pound Resort (wilpenapound.com.au) itself located next to a natural phenomenon, Wilpena Pound - a natural amphitheatre 17kms long and 7kms wide - has a range of flights to Lake Eyre including a four-hour tour with lunch at William Creek - South Australia's smallest town, and a two-day tour with an overnight stay in Birdsville. Customised flight options are available on request.

- Rawnsley Park Station (rawnsleypark.com.au), offering award-winning eco-villa accommodation in the Flinders Ranges, has a five-hour 'Lake Eyre Explorer' tour.

- Chinta Air Tours (chinta.com.au) has a two-day 'Outback Experience' tour that starts and ends in Adelaide and includes a night at Coober Pedy's Desert Cave Hotel, William Creek and Ceduna - Australia's oyster capital.

- Banksia Adventures (banksia-adventures.com.au) has a three-day tour from Adelaide that includes the Clare Valley wine region, the Flinders Ranges and a one-day scenic flight to Andamooka, William Creek and Lake Eyre. Two nights are spent at Wilpena.
- The Prairie Hotel (prairiehotel.com.au), Parachilna (population seven) has a variety of trips, both overland and aerial.

- Heading Bush Outback Adventures (headingbush.com), established by 5th generation South Australian Mick Murdoch, has overland expeditions from Adelaide.

For information on flight and tours from the UK contact these selected tour operators:

- Audley Travel (audleytravel.com)
- Austravel (austravel.com)
- Bridge & Wickers (bridgeandwickers.co.uk)
- Flight Centre (flightcentre.co.uk)
- Net Flights (netflights.com)
- Tailor Made Travel (tailor-made.co.uk)
- Travelmood (travelmood.com)