Tourists stranded by Outback downpour enjoy flooded William Creek

OVERSEAS tourists in South Australia’s north have been stranded by the state’s unusual tropical storms — but they’re not complaining.

Stranded Outback tourists roll with the flow

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EXTREME heat, sand and flies were the expectation but overseas tourists in South Australia’s north have been stranded by the state’s unusual tropical storms.

Up to 80mm of rain has fallen in the outback in the past 24 hours, causing creeks to run for the first time in years and roads to be closed across the region.

Tourists make the most of flooding at William Creek. Picture: TREVOR WRIGHT

The William Creek Hotel — 166km from Coober Pedy — hosted more than 40 trapped tourists on Wednesday night.

Owner Trevor Wright — who also runs the outback airline WrightAir — said everyone was in good spirits and the pub was well stocked.

“Running out of beer is the least of our problems we’ll be out of food before beer,” he laughed.

“Some people could be here for a while though as it looks like more rain to come.

“I was in Ayers Rock yesterday and there were big storms — it’s a very unusual weather pattern.”

Traveller, Laura Kromann, 20 from Denmark was one of those enjoying the unexpected turn of events.

“I was a bit worried being stuck in nowhere and not being able to get anywhere but it’s a party now,” she said.

“We were expecting nothing but dust and heat and here we are swimming in the outback.”

Katie Ayers, 20, from Taunton in the UK said she had a few moments of concern before reaching William Creek.

Aerial view of the areas surrounding William Creek after the rains. Picture: Trevor Wright.

“Our van got stuck about 10km out and we had to sacrifice the trailer and leave in on the roadside,” she said.

“We piled all the gear in the van and managed to get her in one piece.”

Ms Ayers and the 12 other tour members will be flown out today but others will remain in William Creek for the weather to clear.

Senior forecaster, Tom Boeck, from the weather bureau said the unusual and sustained tropical air mass coming down from Northern Territory and Queensland would deliver more rain to the state and continue on into early next week.

“There are anecdotal reports of rainfall in the 40-80mm range in the region in the past 48 hours which is significant with more rain to come,” Mr Boeck said.

“It’s certainly unusual to have this length of humid tropical weather in early March”