Lake Carnegie is north of the main region of gold fields in Western Australia.

It has a total area of approximately 5,714 square kilometres (2,206 sq mi),[7][8] making it one of the largest lakes in Australia.

In 1973 Tropical Cyclone Kerry crossed the northwest coast and moved southwest as far as the northern gold fields.

[10] Water entering the lake, unlike in more easterly playas of the Australian arid zone, does not come from well-defined river channels.

The lake area is bounded by Windidda, Yelma, Wongawel, Niminga, Carnegie and Prenti Downs pastoral leases, otherwise known in Western Australia as stations.