The incredible downpours that were experienced in Outback Queensland earlier this year have been so sustained and significant that water has flowed south at rates not seen since the significant flood of 1974. Per the recent NASA satellite image below from 22 March, 2026, the Lower Warburton Lakes are already full via the Warburton Groove which flows into Lake Eyre, which in turn has resulted in Madigan Gulf filling to a depth of 1.5m and rising and Belt Bay filling to a depth of 2m and rising. Cooper Creek and the Barcoo River are also experiencing minor flooding from North of Longreach which will ultimately spill into Lake Eyre also.
Lake Eyre has only completely filled three to four times in the past 160 years, making this natural wonder rarer than many astronomical events. To put this in perspective, you’re more likely to see Halley’s Comet twice in your lifetime than witness Lake Eyre at full capacity!
Due to the earlier flowing of the Diamantina and Georgina Rivers and Eyre Creek which are all currently in moderate flood, the entire surrounding region has continued to green to a remarkable degree including Goyder Lagoon, which continues to fill. Turning this wetland into an oasis of green interspersed by thousands of finger-like channels, the water brings with it life to an area previously arid and barren. So remarkable has the deluge been in early 2026, many speculate that the massive floodwaters, coupled with local rains, will translate to a transformation of the region not experienced since the record floods of 1974. Lake Eyre is a spectacle from the air no matter what the season, whether the lake is full, filling or dry as the surrounding plains and salt flats stretch out below as far as the eye can see, simply magnificent! However, with these unprecedented rainfalls and flooding waters that continue to move ever south, the Miracle of Lake Eyre and the regeneration of Mother Nature is set to be simply breathtaking this year.
This year, Bill Peach Journeys features a number of Air tours which include spectacular aerial ‘flightseeing’ of the Miracle of Lake Eyre in flood:
Lake Eyre & the Flinders Ranges Air Tour
Gulf To Gulf Air Tour
Great Southern Air Tour
