Lake Gairdner National Park

Lake Gairdner National Park is a remote protected area in South Australia's Far North, centred on Lake Gairdner, one of Australia's largest endorheic salt lakes. Located northwest of the Gawler Ranges, the park encompasses vast white salt pans, surrounding arid plains and low ranges. Established in 1991, it is notable for its stark, expansive salt surface, wilderness character, and use as a venue for annual land-speed record attempts.

Visitors can expect a vast, flat white salt pan stretching to the horizon surrounded by arid semi-desert plains and low stony ranges. The park is extremely remote with no developed visitor infrastructure. Access is via long unsealed 4WD tracks. The main experience is viewing and walking on the dry salt crust when conditions are dry, photography of the stark landscape, and experiencing isolation and silence. There are no shops, water or shade facilities.

Lake Gairdner was named in 1857 by explorer Stephen Hack after Gordon Gairdner of the Colonial Office. The surrounding region has a history of pastoral leases and exploration of South Australia's arid interior. The national park was proclaimed in 1991 to protect the lake system. Since 1990 the dry salt surface has been used for Dry Lakes Racers Australia Speed Week, hosting land-speed record attempts.

The lake and surrounding arid country form part of the cultural landscape of Aboriginal peoples of the Gawler Ranges region, including Kokatha and Wirangu groups. The area is valued for its natural heritage as a large intact endorheic salt lake system and wilderness character.