Lake Frome Lake

Ephemeral salt lake in South Australia, flat saltpan

East of South Australia lies Lake Frome, a mostly dry salt pan within a protected plain. Photographers, 4x4 drivers and scientists visit the stark playa and surrounding arid landscapes.

Main image

Lake Frome at a Glance#

About Lake Frome#

Lake Frome is an endorheic salt lake in the remote arid interior of South Australia. It forms a broad, flat salt pan that is typically dry for long periods and fills episodically after significant rainfall.

The surface is a wide, level salt crust and the lake is noted for its stark, open character rather than developed visitor facilities; it is visited mainly by those undertaking remote outback travel. Wildlife is sparse and the surrounding terrain is arid pastoral and conservation land.

The lake is a natural landform in South Australia’s interior and has long been part of the region’s arid landscape; it has not supported permanent settlement and has been managed as remote pastoral and conservation country.

Lake Frome sits in eastern South Australia in a sparsely populated, arid zone; access is by unsealed outback tracks and it lies within a large, remote pastoral and conservation region.

How to Get to Lake Frome#

Drive: Lake Frome sits hundreds of kilometres from Adelaide. Access is via unsealed outback tracks off the Stuart and Barrier Highways; a high-clearance 4x4 is essential. Visitors should obtain maps and permits from South Australia National Parks before travelling.

Tips for Visiting Lake Frome#

  • If attempting to visit Lake Frome, obtain permits and up-to-date track information from South Australia National Parks-this is remote desert country.
  • Use a high-clearance 4x4 and carry extra water and a satellite communication device; mobile coverage is unreliable.
  • Respect cultural restrictions-some parts of the lake lie within Indigenous protected areas.

Best Time to Visit Lake Frome#

Best in cooler months for safe overland travel; the lake is an immense, reflective salt pan most of the year and becomes treacherous in summer heat.

Autumn-Spring (Apr-Oct)
April-October · 10-25°C (50-77°F)
Cooler temperatures make overland travel more comfortable; the salt surface is more accessible.
Summer (Nov-Mar)
November-March · 30-45°C (86-113°F)
Extreme heat and flash-flood risk-avoid unless experienced and well-prepared.

Weather & Climate near Lake Frome#

Climate

Lake Frome's climate is classified as Hot Desert - Hot Desert climate with hot summers (peaking in January) and cool winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 7°C to 33°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall.

Air Quality: AQI 33 Good
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
33°
Warmest Month
7°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January - 22° - 33° 28° 19 mm - - 4.6 m/s - -
February - 22° - 33° 27° 22 mm - - 3.6 m/s - -
March - 19° - 30° 24° 10 mm - - 3.7 m/s - -
April - 14° - 26° 20° 7 mm - - 2.9 m/s - -
May - 10° - 22° 16° 14 mm - - 3.1 m/s - -
June - 8° - 18° 13° 22 mm - - 4.0 m/s - -
July - 7° - 18° 12° 16 mm - - 4.0 m/s - -
August - 8° - 20° 14° 16 mm - - 4.0 m/s - -
September - 11° - 23° 17° 7 mm - - 3.4 m/s - -
October - 15° - 26° 20° 10 mm - - 4.2 m/s - -
November - 18° - 29° 24° 9 mm - - 4.2 m/s - -
December - 21° - 32° 26° 9 mm - - 4.0 m/s - -