For the first time in several years, water has begun flowing into Lake Eyre in South Australia's far north.

Torrential rain which fell in south-western Queensland in January has taken six weeks to reach the head of the lake.

William Creek pilot Trevor Wright says there has already been a big surge of interest from east coast tourists eager to witness the transformation of the desert and the burst of wildlife.

"Water is a major topic with everyone these days and I think people see this water that has fallen out in north-west Queensland, it's unique how it's just going down through this channel system through the swamps and then into the Lake Eyre," he said.

"I think they find it quite curious that in the dry heart of Australia there's a large amount of water heading down there."

He says visitors are eager to see the masses of wildlife that follow the water.

"Now the lakes up near Glengyle have filled up, 70,000 acre lakes, just the sheer area of freshwater that hasn't been seen for quite a few years," he said.

"I think the drought has definitely had an effect on native bird populations, there's no doubt about it, especially wading birds and that type of thing, I think it's taking a while for them to get out there."