At 15 metres below sea level and Australia’s lowest point, Lake Eyre has only filled to the brim three times in the last 150 years. In 2000 the world’s largest salt lake became half full, a rare wonder which was mirrored last year when floodwaters flowed along the normally dormant creeks and rivers to breathe life into the dry lake once more. The 2009 Lake Eyre flood peaked at 1.5 metres deep in late May, a quarter of its maximum recorded depth of 6 metres.

Heavy rains in Queensland and New South Wales over Christmas and New Year coupled with good summer rains in the South Australian Outback this year have led to a repeat of the impressive phenomenon. The usually dry Outback is also looking surprisingly verdant and green. Visit between now and September to catch the spectacle before floodwaters recede.

One result of this extraordinary event is prolific birdlife returning to the vast inland sea, making it a veritable birding paradise. With a lot of water laying on the ground it is not uncommon to see red-necked avocets, grey teals and black-tailed native hens. Other birds taking advantage of the conditions in varying habitats are the brown songlarks, inland dotterels (with chicks), orange and crimson chats and red-backed kingfishers, which are all being seen readily within the area, more so than this time last year.

Lake Eyre's water levels were also the focus of attention in 1963 but for a very different reason. British speed record breaker, Donald Campbell chose Lake Eyre as the location for his land speed record breaking attempt as the track offered 450 square miles of hard baked salt lake, untouched by rain for the previous 20 years. He arrived in late March with a view to a May attempt, but was greeted by rain. By late May, the rain was torrential and the lake was flooded. Undeterred, Campbell and his team returned to Lake Eyre in 1964 and on 17 July he set the record of 403.10 mph (648.73 km/h) for a four-wheeled vehicle (Class A), 'Bluebird'. He later broke the water speed record on Lake Dumbleyung near Perth in Western Australia, on the 31 December 1964, at a speed of 276.33 mph (444.71 km/h). He remains the only person to set both world land and water speed records in the same year.

Visitors can marvel at the reborn lake for another three or four months with the following scenic flights and expeditions.

Wrightsair (www.wrightsair.com.au ) has charter flights affording fantastic views of the prehistoric river systems that enter the lake, forming a magnificent pattern of colour.

Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary (www.arkaroola.com.au ) in the Flinders Ranges has two daily, four-hour aerial tours that include flying over the Marree Man.

Wilpena Pound Resort (www.wilpenapound.com.au ) itself located next to a natural phenomenon, Wilpena Pound - a natural amphitheatre 17kms long and 7kms wide - has a range of flights to Lake Eyre including a special three night package offering a scenic flight followed by the opportunity to explore the region at ground level with a half day 4WD tour.

Rawnsley Park Station (www.rawnsleypark.com.au ), offering award-winning eco-villa accommodation in the Flinders Ranges, has a five-hour 'Lake Eyre Explorer' tour.

Chinta Air Tours (www.chinta.com.au ) offers charter flights over Lake Eyre. Options include one day, two days or three day tours. The ‘Ultimate Lake Eyre Experience’ is a four day tour which explores Lake Eyre, and the creeks and rivers which feed into the Lake. The highlight is a 4WD tour led by a traditional Aboriginal elder.

Banksia Adventures (www.banksia-adventures.com.au ) has either a single day scenic flight or a three day Lake Eyre and Flinders Ranges experience.

The Prairie Hotel (www.prairiehotel.com.au ), Parachilna (population seven) has a variety of trips, both overland and aerial.

Heading Bush Outback Adventures (www.headingbush.com ), established by 5th generation South Australian Mick Murdoch, has overland expeditions from Adelaide including a flight over Lake Eyre.

APT Touring (Tel 0845 603 6738 www.aptouring.co.uk) is offering a six-day 'Lake Eyre and Flinders Ranges' tour with August, September and October departures priced £1,705 per person. This price includes accommodation, most meals, transfers and sightseeing as detailed, but does not include international flights.