South Australia's Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre is a beautiful outback enigma and today, Outback Spirit has announced departures for its Lake Eyre & Wilpena Pound Adventure – a 7-day touring programme that takes in the spectacular sights of  Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre as it is brought to life in flood.

The magic of Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre is when the lake floods, opening up networks of channels, streams and floodplains that converge in Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park, bringing a plethora of wildlife and a painter's palette of colour. It doesn't happen often, though – this year is something special. Lake Eyre is set to come to life as the floodwater that drenched northwest Queensland last month slowly moves towards the inland salt pan. And with that water, comes life – birds, fish and frogs are the first to find the rarely-there water, and they do so in large numbers. From an aerial perspective, it's the colours that take centre stage, shifting with the light and the landscape, in an ever-changing kaleidoscope of beauty.

Outback Spirit's Lake Eyre & Wilpena Pound Adventure is a 7-day touring programme that takes in incredible views of Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre from the air via light-aircraft touring, and at ground-level in comfortable all-terrain Mercedes Benz vehicles as the water brings new life to this parched region.   

Luke Walker, Executive General Manager for Outback Spirit, says. “Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre is quite the sight as it comes to life with some help from Mother Nature in the form of rain. We're thrilled that we have the opportunity to share this breathtaking spectacle with our guests this year, taking in the natural phenomenon from above and on land throughout our carefully crafted 7-day touring itinerary.”

The first Lake Eyre & Wilpena Pound Adventure is scheduled to depart on 1 July 2023, with further tours departing weekly from this date. This intimate, small-group adventure caters for a maximum of 26 people, who will travel in five-star, all-terrain Mercedes-Benz luxury vehicles and modern turboprop aircraft led by an expert two-person crew of tour driver and tour director, with all meals included.

Departing from and returning to Adelaide, the Lake Eyre & Wilpena Pound, 7-day/6-night experience includes the following highlights:

• Two mesmerising scenic flights
• Visit the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Gardens
• Fly over Lake Eyre and follow the water all the way up to Birdsville
• Marvel at Goyder Lagoon and the Simpson Desert from the air
• Travel the infamous Oonadatta Track to William Creek
• Visit Birdsville and enjoy lunch at the iconic Birdsville Hotel
• Follow the Old Ghan Rail Line and visit the historic Coward Springs siding
• Take a guided walk through the tranquil Pound Gap into Wilpena Pound
• Visit the Old Wilpena Station precinct, one of South Australia's oldest pastoral settlements.

The 7-day Lake Eyre & Wilpena Pound tour is priced from $5,495

To learn more about Outback Spirit and Lake Eyre packages, or to book your experience, visit here.

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Media contact | Giselle Whiteaker | public.relations@journeybeyond.com 

About Outback Spirit 

Headquartered in Albury, New South Wales, Outback Spirit takes guests on immersive tours to Arnhem Land, the Kimberley, Cape York and the Gulf, Pilbara, Central Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania. Outback Spirit offers multi-day adventure tours and luxury short stays, traversing remote and spectacular lands across the country. For more than 20 years, its experienced and expert team has transported guests in comfortable, all-terrain 4WD Mercedes-Benz touring coaches to Australia's most luxurious safari camps and wilderness lodges in some of the most breathtaking locations.  

Working closely with Traditional Landowners and Indigenous communities — employing Aboriginal guides to ensure guests learn from those who know it best — Outback Spirit takes great pride in supporting Indigenous businesses and community initiatives. Honoured to be showcasing areas of pristine wilderness, Outback Spirit takes its commitment to the environment seriously, maintaining eco-certification and providing support to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy. Visit outbackspirittours.com to learn more. 

About Journey Beyond 

Australia's leading experiential tourism group, Journey Beyond, part of the Hornblower Group, is privileged to operate 13 brands spanning the country, connecting guests to the land, and to each other. Headquartered in Adelaide, Journey Beyond formed in 2016 and now comprises tourism brands including: iconic trains The Ghan, Indian Pacific, Great Southern and The Overland; premium small-group outback operator Outback Spirit; eco-luxe lodge Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef; aquatic adventures Cruise Whitsundays, Rottnest Express, Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures, Darwin Harbour Cruises and Journey Beyond Cruise Sydney; and our tallest members, Melbourne Skydeck and Eureka 89.  

The Journey Beyond Travel Club unlocks exclusive member-only offers, priority access, special benefits and last-minute upgrade offers. With our pillars of Rail Expeditions, Touring/Cruise, Camps and Lodges, and Attractions, a Journey Beyond holiday is comprehensive from start to finish. Visit journeybeyond.com and join us as we take the amazing and turn it into breathtaking.  www.journeybeyond.com