The stark beauty of Lake Eyre featured by Australia Post
Monday, 04 April 2011
Lake Eyre, the centre of the vast Lake Eyre Basin, located 700km north of Adelaide in the deserts of central Australia, is the subject of a new stamp issue which will be available from the 4 April 2011.
There are four stamps which include one domestic rate stamp - The dry (60c) and three international rate stamps - New growth ($1.55), Bird life ($2.25) and In flood ($3.10).
"The unique landscape of Lake Eyre and its surrounding areas is a well-known Australian landmark. This vast and changing environment has been beautifully captured in these stamp designs. It reminds us of the power of nature to dramatically transform a dry landscape bringing new growth and abundant bird life," said Australia Post Philatelic Manager, Michael Zsolt.
A great salt lake of tectonic origin, Lake Eyre lies asymmetrically in the south-western corner of the closed inland drainage basin in the heart of the Australian continent. With an area of 1,140,000 square kilometres Lake Eyre Basin is one of the largest areas of internal drainage in the world. Some parts of Lake Eyre are 15.2 metres below sea level making it the lowest point in Australia.
During the dry season there is usually some water, however Lake Eyre is primarily characterised by great salt pans. On the rare occasions that it fills to capacity, Lake Eyre becomes the largest salt lake in Australia.
Water covers the lake on average about once every eight years and has filled to capacity only three times in the last 150 years. During the rainy season the rivers from the northeast in outback Queensland flow towards the lake. The recent high rainfall sent flood water into the Diamantina, Georgina and Cooper Creek catchments of the Lake Eyre basin.
The higher rainfall has filled the vast floodplains around Lake Eyre creating wetlands brimming with life. In drought there is usually no sign of bird life and their return remains a mystery for scientists. Pelicans have returned to rivers and waterholes all around Lake Eyre to breed, as have many other species of waterbirds, including cormorants and ibis. Gulls, Red-necked Avocets, Banded Stilts and Gull-billed Terns can also be seen.
Dong Uong of the Australia Post Design Studio designed the stamp issue. His other most recent stamp designs were Merry Christmas (2009) and the tulips design in For Special Occasions (2010).
The stamp issue products for Lake Eyre are a first day cover, stamp pack, set of four maxicards, self-adhesive sheetlet of 5 x $1.55 stamps and a self-adhesive sheetlet of 5 x $2.25 stamps. This stamp issue is available at participating Australia Post retail outlets, via mail order on 1800 331 794 and online at the Australia Post shop from 4 April 2011 while stocks last.
