Visiting Lake Eyre

      "The Lake protects itself from overuse by killing the careless""

If you plan to visit the Lake please ensure your vehicle is adequately prepared and that you have enough food and water for your intended length of stay PLUS emergency provisions. Visiting the Lake during the summer months is not recommended. Temperatures in the high forties can kill even when water is available. A cross on the Halligan Bay track near Armistice Bore marks the place of death of Gabriele Grossmueller who died walking out after her four wheel drive became bogged in December 1998. For your own benefit read the inquest.

The only reliable safety net is the one you build yourself. Before you leave ring a reliable friend/relative. Arrange a time to ring back when you are back in civilization. Advise them how many days late you may be before they should contact the authorities.

Road conditions deteriorate rapidly with heavy rain. It's best to wait a few days for it to dry out. Always take care - a washaway, bull dust patch or another vehicle WILL be around one of the next corners. The local tourist industry makes it's living out of repairing vehicles driven too fast over rough roads by city drivers trying to fit too much holiday into too short a holiday. Slow down and enjoy.

Lake Eyre has only three public access points:

Location Access Vehicle
Lake Eyre South - Oodnadatta Track Approx midway between Marree & William Creek the Lake can be seen from the track and several parking areas are provided Conventional vehicle (if the Track is open to them)
Lake Eyre North - Level Post Bay Drive on Muloorina Station Public Access Route 100km from Marree 4WD
Lake Eyre North - Halligan Bay Drive 70km along Anna Creek Station Public Access Route from 7km South of William Creek Officially designated as 4WD to Northwest Head (ABC Point camping area), 4WD along Lake edge to Halligan Bay

* Any vehicle will get there if the roads dry and you can handle corrugations, dust holes and ruts. If you bend it it's your fault.

Public Access Tracks normally allow camping within 50m of the track but not near Station infrastucture such as bores, dams & buildings.
For those travelling to Level Post Bay Muloorina has a beautiful camping area adjacent to a bore filled waterhole. New toilets have been provided - the cost? - a $2 donation to the RFDS!