Latest news with #TrevorWright
The Advertiser
5 days ago
- The Advertiser
Lake flood spectacle a magnet for wildlife, tourists
Millions of birds and tens of thousands of tourists are predicted to flock to Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre as floodwaters put on a once-in-a-generation spectacular. Floodwaters from Queensland's record-breaking autumn rain are flowing into the usually dry 9500sq km salt lake in South Australia, from the Warburton, Cooper and Diamantina river systems. Pilot Trevor Wright, who owns Wrightsair in William Creek, said it is the biggest flood he'd seen in his 32 years there, "and I have no hesitation in saying that we're going to see a sight with the lake we haven't seen in many decades". What really struck Mr Wright and others was the volume of water and its speed. "This is really different from anything we've had in the past, because it's been a much later season, temperatures have dropped dramatically, so you're not getting the evaporation rate caused by heat or wind and (the lake) will hold water much better." There were hundreds of tourists in William Creek, which is 820km north of Adelaide, "and I think there'll be tens of thousands of people coming up here to experience it", Mr Wright said. Floodwaters cover the lake once every eight years on average, but it has only filled to capacity three times in the last 160 years. The largest recorded filling of the lake was in 1974 when it reached a depth of 6m, and Mr Wright believed this event could rival it. He said the Cooper Creek flow rates at the Nappa Merrie Bridge, near the Queensland border, had reportedly surpassed the 1974 flow rates, before the recording equipment stopped operating. Amid an explosion of life and vegetation, the filling lake is a magnet for migratory birds including pelicans, cormorants, ibises, egrets, spoonbills, ducks and native hens. "The fishing will be incredible," Mr Wright said. The lake could potentially host an estimated 5.5 million birds, including 55 varieties of wading birds, and Mr Wright believed there was potential for three nestings of pelicans, which hadn't been seen since 1974. "What it will do for the bird life, plant life, insects, everything, is incredible, and it'll last into next year." Locals were excited because they had been expecting a dramatic downturn this year, he said. "No one expected this much rain and it's a godsend," he said. As much of southern Australia battles drought, Mr Wright said he "really feels for" the farmers. "There's just such a disparity," he said. Mr Wright has employed eight extra pilots to help handle the influx of tourists, and he's also bought the Cessna Caravan which adventurer Dick Smith used to twice circumnavigate the globe. A new management plan for Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park, released in February, bans recreational access to the lakebed, including walking. Visitors can view the lake from the air and at areas such as the Halligan Bay Point Campground. Traditional owners, the Arabana people, were granted native title over land covering most of the lake in 2012. Millions of birds and tens of thousands of tourists are predicted to flock to Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre as floodwaters put on a once-in-a-generation spectacular. Floodwaters from Queensland's record-breaking autumn rain are flowing into the usually dry 9500sq km salt lake in South Australia, from the Warburton, Cooper and Diamantina river systems. Pilot Trevor Wright, who owns Wrightsair in William Creek, said it is the biggest flood he'd seen in his 32 years there, "and I have no hesitation in saying that we're going to see a sight with the lake we haven't seen in many decades". What really struck Mr Wright and others was the volume of water and its speed. "This is really different from anything we've had in the past, because it's been a much later season, temperatures have dropped dramatically, so you're not getting the evaporation rate caused by heat or wind and (the lake) will hold water much better." There were hundreds of tourists in William Creek, which is 820km north of Adelaide, "and I think there'll be tens of thousands of people coming up here to experience it", Mr Wright said. Floodwaters cover the lake once every eight years on average, but it has only filled to capacity three times in the last 160 years. The largest recorded filling of the lake was in 1974 when it reached a depth of 6m, and Mr Wright believed this event could rival it. He said the Cooper Creek flow rates at the Nappa Merrie Bridge, near the Queensland border, had reportedly surpassed the 1974 flow rates, before the recording equipment stopped operating. Amid an explosion of life and vegetation, the filling lake is a magnet for migratory birds including pelicans, cormorants, ibises, egrets, spoonbills, ducks and native hens. "The fishing will be incredible," Mr Wright said. The lake could potentially host an estimated 5.5 million birds, including 55 varieties of wading birds, and Mr Wright believed there was potential for three nestings of pelicans, which hadn't been seen since 1974. "What it will do for the bird life, plant life, insects, everything, is incredible, and it'll last into next year." Locals were excited because they had been expecting a dramatic downturn this year, he said. "No one expected this much rain and it's a godsend," he said. As much of southern Australia battles drought, Mr Wright said he "really feels for" the farmers. "There's just such a disparity," he said. Mr Wright has employed eight extra pilots to help handle the influx of tourists, and he's also bought the Cessna Caravan which adventurer Dick Smith used to twice circumnavigate the globe. A new management plan for Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park, released in February, bans recreational access to the lakebed, including walking. Visitors can view the lake from the air and at areas such as the Halligan Bay Point Campground. Traditional owners, the Arabana people, were granted native title over land covering most of the lake in 2012. Millions of birds and tens of thousands of tourists are predicted to flock to Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre as floodwaters put on a once-in-a-generation spectacular. Floodwaters from Queensland's record-breaking autumn rain are flowing into the usually dry 9500sq km salt lake in South Australia, from the Warburton, Cooper and Diamantina river systems. Pilot Trevor Wright, who owns Wrightsair in William Creek, said it is the biggest flood he'd seen in his 32 years there, "and I have no hesitation in saying that we're going to see a sight with the lake we haven't seen in many decades". What really struck Mr Wright and others was the volume of water and its speed. "This is really different from anything we've had in the past, because it's been a much later season, temperatures have dropped dramatically, so you're not getting the evaporation rate caused by heat or wind and (the lake) will hold water much better." There were hundreds of tourists in William Creek, which is 820km north of Adelaide, "and I think there'll be tens of thousands of people coming up here to experience it", Mr Wright said. Floodwaters cover the lake once every eight years on average, but it has only filled to capacity three times in the last 160 years. The largest recorded filling of the lake was in 1974 when it reached a depth of 6m, and Mr Wright believed this event could rival it. He said the Cooper Creek flow rates at the Nappa Merrie Bridge, near the Queensland border, had reportedly surpassed the 1974 flow rates, before the recording equipment stopped operating. Amid an explosion of life and vegetation, the filling lake is a magnet for migratory birds including pelicans, cormorants, ibises, egrets, spoonbills, ducks and native hens. "The fishing will be incredible," Mr Wright said. The lake could potentially host an estimated 5.5 million birds, including 55 varieties of wading birds, and Mr Wright believed there was potential for three nestings of pelicans, which hadn't been seen since 1974. "What it will do for the bird life, plant life, insects, everything, is incredible, and it'll last into next year." Locals were excited because they had been expecting a dramatic downturn this year, he said. "No one expected this much rain and it's a godsend," he said. As much of southern Australia battles drought, Mr Wright said he "really feels for" the farmers. "There's just such a disparity," he said. Mr Wright has employed eight extra pilots to help handle the influx of tourists, and he's also bought the Cessna Caravan which adventurer Dick Smith used to twice circumnavigate the globe. A new management plan for Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park, released in February, bans recreational access to the lakebed, including walking. Visitors can view the lake from the air and at areas such as the Halligan Bay Point Campground. Traditional owners, the Arabana people, were granted native title over land covering most of the lake in 2012. Millions of birds and tens of thousands of tourists are predicted to flock to Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre as floodwaters put on a once-in-a-generation spectacular. Floodwaters from Queensland's record-breaking autumn rain are flowing into the usually dry 9500sq km salt lake in South Australia, from the Warburton, Cooper and Diamantina river systems. Pilot Trevor Wright, who owns Wrightsair in William Creek, said it is the biggest flood he'd seen in his 32 years there, "and I have no hesitation in saying that we're going to see a sight with the lake we haven't seen in many decades". What really struck Mr Wright and others was the volume of water and its speed. "This is really different from anything we've had in the past, because it's been a much later season, temperatures have dropped dramatically, so you're not getting the evaporation rate caused by heat or wind and (the lake) will hold water much better." There were hundreds of tourists in William Creek, which is 820km north of Adelaide, "and I think there'll be tens of thousands of people coming up here to experience it", Mr Wright said. Floodwaters cover the lake once every eight years on average, but it has only filled to capacity three times in the last 160 years. The largest recorded filling of the lake was in 1974 when it reached a depth of 6m, and Mr Wright believed this event could rival it. He said the Cooper Creek flow rates at the Nappa Merrie Bridge, near the Queensland border, had reportedly surpassed the 1974 flow rates, before the recording equipment stopped operating. Amid an explosion of life and vegetation, the filling lake is a magnet for migratory birds including pelicans, cormorants, ibises, egrets, spoonbills, ducks and native hens. "The fishing will be incredible," Mr Wright said. The lake could potentially host an estimated 5.5 million birds, including 55 varieties of wading birds, and Mr Wright believed there was potential for three nestings of pelicans, which hadn't been seen since 1974. "What it will do for the bird life, plant life, insects, everything, is incredible, and it'll last into next year." Locals were excited because they had been expecting a dramatic downturn this year, he said. "No one expected this much rain and it's a godsend," he said. As much of southern Australia battles drought, Mr Wright said he "really feels for" the farmers. "There's just such a disparity," he said. Mr Wright has employed eight extra pilots to help handle the influx of tourists, and he's also bought the Cessna Caravan which adventurer Dick Smith used to twice circumnavigate the globe. A new management plan for Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park, released in February, bans recreational access to the lakebed, including walking. Visitors can view the lake from the air and at areas such as the Halligan Bay Point Campground. Traditional owners, the Arabana people, were granted native title over land covering most of the lake in 2012.
West Australian
5 days ago
- West Australian
Lake flood spectacle a magnet for wildlife, tourists
Millions of birds and tens of thousands of tourists are predicted to flock to Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre as floodwaters put on a once-in-a-generation spectacular. Floodwaters from Queensland's record-breaking autumn rain are flowing into the usually dry 9500sq km salt lake in South Australia, from the Warburton, Cooper and Diamantina river systems. Pilot Trevor Wright, who owns Wrightsair in William Creek, said it is the biggest flood he'd seen in his 32 years there, "and I have no hesitation in saying that we're going to see a sight with the lake we haven't seen in many decades". What really struck Mr Wright and others was the volume of water and its speed. "This is really different from anything we've had in the past, because it's been a much later season, temperatures have dropped dramatically, so you're not getting the evaporation rate caused by heat or wind and (the lake) will hold water much better." There were hundreds of tourists in William Creek, which is 820km north of Adelaide, "and I think there'll be tens of thousands of people coming up here to experience it", Mr Wright said. Floodwaters cover the lake once every eight years on average, but it has only filled to capacity three times in the last 160 years. The largest recorded filling of the lake was in 1974 when it reached a depth of 6m, and Mr Wright believed this event could rival it. He said the Cooper Creek flow rates at the Nappa Merrie Bridge, near the Queensland border, had reportedly surpassed the 1974 flow rates, before the recording equipment stopped operating. Amid an explosion of life and vegetation, the filling lake is a magnet for migratory birds including pelicans, cormorants, ibises, egrets, spoonbills, ducks and native hens. "The fishing will be incredible," Mr Wright said. The lake could potentially host an estimated 5.5 million birds, including 55 varieties of wading birds, and Mr Wright believed there was potential for three nestings of pelicans, which hadn't been seen since 1974. "What it will do for the bird life, plant life, insects, everything, is incredible, and it'll last into next year." Locals were excited because they had been expecting a dramatic downturn this year, he said. "No one expected this much rain and it's a godsend," he said. As much of southern Australia battles drought, Mr Wright said he "really feels for" the farmers. "There's just such a disparity," he said. Mr Wright has employed eight extra pilots to help handle the influx of tourists, and he's also bought the Cessna Caravan which adventurer Dick Smith used to twice circumnavigate the globe. A new management plan for Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park, released in February, bans recreational access to the lakebed, including walking. Visitors can view the lake from the air and at areas such as the Halligan Bay Point Campground. Traditional owners, the Arabana people, were granted native title over land covering most of the lake in 2012.
Perth Now
5 days ago
- Perth Now
Lake flood spectacle a magnet for wildlife, tourists
Millions of birds and tens of thousands of tourists are predicted to flock to Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre as floodwaters put on a once-in-a-generation spectacular. Floodwaters from Queensland's record-breaking autumn rain are flowing into the usually dry 9500sq km salt lake in South Australia, from the Warburton, Cooper and Diamantina river systems. Pilot Trevor Wright, who owns Wrightsair in William Creek, said it is the biggest flood he'd seen in his 32 years there, "and I have no hesitation in saying that we're going to see a sight with the lake we haven't seen in many decades". What really struck Mr Wright and others was the volume of water and its speed. "This is really different from anything we've had in the past, because it's been a much later season, temperatures have dropped dramatically, so you're not getting the evaporation rate caused by heat or wind and (the lake) will hold water much better." There were hundreds of tourists in William Creek, which is 820km north of Adelaide, "and I think there'll be tens of thousands of people coming up here to experience it", Mr Wright said. Floodwaters cover the lake once every eight years on average, but it has only filled to capacity three times in the last 160 years. The largest recorded filling of the lake was in 1974 when it reached a depth of 6m, and Mr Wright believed this event could rival it. He said the Cooper Creek flow rates at the Nappa Merrie Bridge, near the Queensland border, had reportedly surpassed the 1974 flow rates, before the recording equipment stopped operating. Amid an explosion of life and vegetation, the filling lake is a magnet for migratory birds including pelicans, cormorants, ibises, egrets, spoonbills, ducks and native hens. "The fishing will be incredible," Mr Wright said. The lake could potentially host an estimated 5.5 million birds, including 55 varieties of wading birds, and Mr Wright believed there was potential for three nestings of pelicans, which hadn't been seen since 1974. "What it will do for the bird life, plant life, insects, everything, is incredible, and it'll last into next year." Locals were excited because they had been expecting a dramatic downturn this year, he said. "No one expected this much rain and it's a godsend," he said. As much of southern Australia battles drought, Mr Wright said he "really feels for" the farmers. "There's just such a disparity," he said. Mr Wright has employed eight extra pilots to help handle the influx of tourists, and he's also bought the Cessna Caravan which adventurer Dick Smith used to twice circumnavigate the globe. A new management plan for Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park, released in February, bans recreational access to the lakebed, including walking. Visitors can view the lake from the air and at areas such as the Halligan Bay Point Campground. Traditional owners, the Arabana people, were granted native title over land covering most of the lake in 2012.
The Guardian
08-05-2025
- Climate
- The Guardian
Flood waters pour into Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre in rare spectacle ‘supercharged by climate change'
A pulse of flood water has surged into Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre in what could be the most significant top-up in a generation. The sacred site of the Arabana people is home to rivers and creeks that drain towards the second largest salt lake in the world. Its surrounding basin sprawls across 1.2m sq km , or just under one-sixth of Australia's landmass. After months of record-breaking rainfall and widespread flooding across inland Queensland, dark, serpentine channels of flowing water have reached the South Australian outback. The downpours that engulfed Queensland forced some residents in remote communities to evacuate and cut others off for weeks. The flood zone covered an expanse four times the size of the UK. The water coursing south through inland river systems will dissolve the usually salty crust to produce an inland sea. Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre contains the country's lowest point, at 15.2 metres below sea level. Sign up to get climate and environment editor Adam Morton's Clear Air column as a free newsletter Trevor Wright, an outback pilot and owner of Wrightsair who has flown over the region since 1992, said he had never seen anything like it. 'It's amazing in the sheer volume and speed at which [the flood water is] travelling over the countryside,' he said. With cooler temperatures forecast, Wright said he expected the water to persist for months due to slow evaporation. 'We're starting to see a lot of birdlife and a fair few wild animals heading down towards the water,' he said, listing camels, dingoes and feral pigs among the early arrivals. The pilot acknowledged 'catastrophic' environmental damage in Queensland, but said it was incredible to see the subsequent impact of the flood water, with native vegetation beginning to flourish and animal populations expected to boom. From a bird's-eye view, the water appears like a dark ribbon moving across the desert – a rare spectacle of cool tones in the hot, arid region. Images taken by Paul Hoelen overlooking the northern part of the lake reveal a kaleidoscope of blue, green, yellow and silver. The aerial photographer has documented the region for more than a decade and was among the first to capture the flood waters continuing their slow march toward Lake Eyre's vast salt pan. Sign up to Clear Air Australia Adam Morton brings you incisive analysis about the politics and impact of the climate crisis after newsletter promotion Hoelen said it could be the largest flood event at the lake this century. The photographer said he expected the event to unfold in bursts of colour, movement and life before an inevitable, 'poetic' drying out. 'There will be many faces to this,' he said. 'It's an explosion of the cycle of life and death, and we're only at the first act.' While the spectacle is captivating, experts warned of the ecosystem's fragility. Dr Helen Scott-Orr, a former inspector general of biosecurity and chief veterinary officer of New South Wales, said the flood waters would temporarily create a 'feast' for animals – including frogs, fish and migratory birds such as pelicans – but die-offs were likely when evaporation set in. 'This extraordinary display of nature has been supercharged by climate change,' she said.
