Lake Mackay
Lake Large ephemeral salt lake straddling desert regions
A remote salt lake on the edge of central Australia, Lake Mackay has broad salt crusts and desert surrounds. Overland travelers and aerial sightseeing flights come for its stark patterns and isolation.
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Lake Mackay is a large ephemeral salt lake in central Australia, located across the boundary area of the Northern Territory and Western Australia. Its broad, flat salt-pan surface is typical of major interior Australian salt lakes.
The lake is largely dry for long periods and forms a salt crust when its basin dries; after heavy rains the shallow basin can flood into a wide shallow lake. The surrounding landscape is arid spinifex and desert country and the lake is remote.
The lake and its basin are part of traditional lands of local Aboriginal peoples and feature in Indigenous place names and country narratives.
Geographically the lake lies in the central desert region of Australia, well inland from the coastal regions, and is surrounded by flat arid plains and sand ridges.
- Indigenous name and extent: Also known by its Pintupi name, Wilkinkarra, and straddles the border area between the Northern Territory and Western Australia.
Tips for Visiting Lake Mackay #
- Visit in the cooler months (roughly April-September) for more comfortable conditions and safer overland travel; the area is extremely remote so try to combine with a planned outback itinerary.
- Lake Mackay sits on Indigenous lands and large stretches are subject to access restrictions-check with Northern Territory/Western Australian land councils and obtain any required permits before attempting overland access.
- Because there are few or no roads and no visitor facilities nearby, consider a scenic flight from Alice Springs or regional air operators for the best perspective and to avoid long, difficult 4WD tracks.
Best Time to Visit Lake Mackay #
Visit during the Australian dry season (autumn-spring) when temperatures are milder and access is most reliable.
Weather & Climate near Lake Mackay #
Lake Mackay's climate is classified as Hot Desert - Hot Desert climate with very hot summers (peaking in January) and mild winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 9°C to 40°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the hottest month with highs of 40°C and lows of 26°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm).
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February
February is hot with highs of 38°C and lows of 24°C. The wettest month with 75 mm of rain.
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March
March is hot with highs of 36°C and lows of 23°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm).
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April
April is warm with highs of 33°C and lows of 20°C. Light rainfall.
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May
May is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 15°C. Light rainfall.
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June
June is cool with highs of 25°C and lows of 10°C. Light rainfall.
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July
July is the coolest month with highs of 24°C and lows of 9°C. Almost no rain.
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August
August is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 11°C. The driest month with just 3 mm.
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September
September is mild with highs of 31°C and lows of 15°C. Almost no rain.
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October
October is warm with highs of 36°C and lows of 20°C. Light rainfall.
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November
November is hot with highs of 38°C and lows of 23°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm).
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December
December is hot with highs of 39°C and lows of 24°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm).
