This huge dead lake is 400 km north of Port Augusta in one of the most parched regions of Australia. Most of the time the lake is nothing more than a vast salt flat. It was here, in 1964 that Donald Campbell successfully tried for the world land speed record. He eventually reached a speed of 652.37 kph (over 400 mph).

The lake itself is a unique geographical phenomenon. It is situated between two large deserts – the Sturt Stony Desert to the east, and the equally forbidding Simpson Desert to the north. The lake has a catchment area of over one million square kilometres, which extends well into the Northern Territory and Queensland. Yet despite this, only a trickle of water seeps into the lake.

When the floods do come, this entire wilderness region is momentarily transformed. Desert foliage sprouts, flowers bloom in profusion, large flocks of birds fly in, and the surrounding shores are alive with the croaking of frogs. According to the biologists, these frogs exist for the rest of the time underground in a state of hibernation, retaining sufficient water beneath their skin to keep them alive. A likely story, but can you think of a better one?

The best way to see the lake is to make it up to Maree, 380 km north of Port Augusta, where they run flights over the lake (www.marreelakeeyreflights.com.au/lake-eyre-flights). Beyond Maree the track is only suitable for 4WD.