The site contains the overflow floodplains and swamps associated with Cooper Creek between Windorah and Tanbarcattle stations. Major floods occur about once every five years. The floodplain lacks deep channels and is characterised by complex small-scale drainage networks that retain water for several months after flooding, so providing good waterbird habitat. Vegetation ranges from short forbs, grasses and sedges to tall tussock grass, extensive legume thickets, with bluebush, lignum and belalie swamps. The few small waterholes are fringed by lignum, belalie and coolibahs. The area has a desert climate with an average annual rainfall of about 290 mm.[1]