Australia's Lowest Point: Lake Eyre (Kati Thanda)

The lowest point on the Australian continent is Lake Eyre (Kati Thanda) in South Australia, at 15 meters (49 ft) below sea level.

Lake Eyre Basics

• Location: 28°22'S, 137°22'E — Simpson Desert region
• Type: Endorheic (closed) salt lake — terminal basin
• Area: 9,500 km² (max flood) — Australia's largest lake when full
• Two basins: Lake Eyre North (8,430 km²) + Lake Eyre South (1,260 km²) connected by Goyder Channel
• Depth: Typically dry (salt crust); max ~6m (1974, 2011 floods)

Hydrology: Boom & Bust

• Catchment: 1.2M km² (1/6 Australia) — Channel Country rivers (Diamantina, Georgina, Cooper Creek)
• Flood frequency: Minor 2–3 yr; major 6–8 yr; complete fill ~3×/century
• Water source: Queensland monsoon rains → slow flow (months) down dry channels
• Evaporation: 3,500 mm/yr >> rainfall (125 mm) → rapid drying

Ecology: Desert Bloom

• Dry: Salt crust (halite, gypsum); brine shrimp cysts dormant
• Flood: Explosion — algae, invertebrates, fish (bony bream), 100k+ waterbirds (pelicans, banded stilts, silver gulls)
• Breeding events: Triggered by flood; colonies of 50k+ pairs

Cultural Significance

• Arabana people: Traditional owners; Kati Thanda = "meeting place"
• Native Title: Recognized 2012; co-management with SA Gov't
• European: Eyre (1840), Sturt (1845) — thought it inland sea
• Land speed records: 1964 (Campbell, Bluebird CN7, 648 km/h)

Other Australian Low Points

• Lake Frome (SA): -6m
• Lake Torrens (SA): -5m
• Coongie Lakes (SA): -3m
• All in Lake Eyre Basin — connected in mega-floods