Day 8, Tibooburra to Marree
Photo: Shimmering salt flats of Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre
Lake Hope
Survey details
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Date
Wednesday 7 October 2026
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Author
John Porter
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Project
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Observers
John Porter (NSW DCCEEW), Heath Dunstan
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Pilot
Thomas Clark
Returning to survey band 6, we continue our previous day’s journey west. Many of the shallow claypans and canegrass swamps are holding water, and there are moderate numbers of waterbirds as we work our way across the survey band; mainly Grey Teal, Wood Duck, Black Duck, Pink-eared Duck, spoonbills, herons, and ibis.
Heading further west, we arrive at Lake Hope and Cooper Creek, with many of the large swamps and lakes that it fills holding plenty of water.
The main channel is no longer flowing, and in some places its waters are brackish and becoming clear, which enables submerged aquatic plants to flourish
Cooper Creek
Cooper Creek
Cooper Creek
There are large numbers of waterbirds, particularly in the lower reaches of Cooper Creek: mostly Grey Teal, Black Duck, Pink-eared Duck, Hardhead, Coot, Pelicans, cormorants, gulls, terns, and Darters
Further west, we finally arrive at Kati Thanda / Lake Eyre, which is only partially full. Its waters are receding rapidly and becoming more saline as warmer temperatures have arrived
The vast main body of the Lake has few waterbirds – just a few Banded Stilts, Silver Gulls and terns
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