Kati Thanda - Lake Eyre National Park - SA

Hi All, My wife and I are keen to see Lake Eyre while it's got plenty of water and want to travel in that direction in our 4x4 campervan sometime between now and August. Our plan is to travel from Brisbane in our campervan to wherever we have to to find a flight over lake Eyre. We're pretty new to 4X4 and campervanning but have done a trip to Melbourne and back (not off-road) to iron out any bugs. We followed that up with a 4x4 training course and then a trip to Fraser Island and Teerwah beach camping, for sand driving experience. We think we have all we need for the Lake Eyre trip but would not do it alone and would like to know if anyone (preferably with experience) would like to travel in that direction in the next couple of months. The rig is a Toyota Land Cruiser RV with slide-on camper that has already been across the Simpson Desert a few times (with previous owners). Any comments or advice would also be appreciated Ian and Chris

G'day all, a news.com.au release IT is the biggest land trade of modern times, a little Outback town in South Australia for 71,000sq km of desert country. At 11.30am (CST) today, a hearing of the Federal Court of Australia, at Finniss Springs Station near Lake Eyre, will officially award the Arabana People the entire lake and the areas between Oodnadatta, Coober Pedy and Marree, under a native title claim. Under the consent order of the Federal Court, the native title claim over the township of Marree, population 70, will be lifted to complete the swap, which has been 14 years in the making. The chairman of the Arabana Aboriginal Corporation, Aaron Stuart, said the significance of today's Federal Court hearing could not be underestimated and Lake Eyre and the land surrounding it was being returned to the care of its rightful owners. "Lake Eyre is a sacred and significant place to all Arabana people," he said. "We care for that land and the lake and we want to see the land protected. This does not mean that we object to tourists ... we are happy to share our country." The invitation to share Lake Eyre, however, is not extended to boat users who have sailed on the lake during rare times of flood. And the native title claim also gives the Arabana people negotiating powers with mining giants for facilities, services and royalties. "We are happy for people to come and enjoy this land and the lake, swim in it and see its beauty, but we do not want boats on the lake," Mr Stuart said. "We want the site protected and we want the whole of the lake protected ... we also worry about safety with boats." Mr Stuart said the Arabana people got back Finniss Springs Station, once a mission site, and a long-term pastoral lease on the property which would be central to plans to establish tourism operations and a community. They have also been given eight blocks in Marree, which will become Crown land. Marree Hotel publican Phil Turner said: "Historically, the recognition of the native title is incredibly significant and is a point in history. "I think if there's any concern it's that there's a general lack of understanding among all people about what it all means," he said. Mr Stuart said ceremonies such as today's, expected to be attended by up to 300 people, were a great step in the process of reconciliation. By Byran Littlely From: The Advertiser May 22, 2012 12:00AM