In 2005, we took a plane over Lake Eyre as it was extremely difficult to get to by car. As you can see there was no water, just a huge expanse of salt and sand.You are struck by just how large it is, and how unendingly flat is the landscape. In 2010 and 2011 there were heavy rainfalls in Queensland, and the lake filled up. I would very much like to get some water samples when the water has evaporated to saturating salt concentrations, and turns red from halophilic archaea. MDS.