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Pink Lakes of Australia

Updated: Dec 9, 2023

Pink lakes are a spectacular phenomenon that can be seen right across Australia. Such lakes have their unique colour thanks to microorganisms that thrive in extremely salty conditions.


Photo Credit: Joel Bramley


Salt lakes typically don't go pink until the salt concentration is over 20%. That's over 5 times that of sea water! Spring and summer are normally the best times of year to see that gorgeous pink colour as water evaporates during the warmer months leading to an increase in salt concentrations.



Photo credit: Anne Morley


As salt concentrations increase, halophilic (salt loving) bacteria and algae such as Halococcus and Dunaliella salina produce red pigments that help protect them from the harsh sunlight common to such areas, giving both the saline water and the salt itself a pink hue. These organisms also thrive in the heat with some having optimum temperatures of 40 to 50 degrees Celsius.



Photo credit: James Smart


One great example of a pink lake here in Victoria is Lake Tyrrell. It's a shallow lake in the semi-arid Mallee region that produces perfect conditions for these salt loving species leading to some stunning colours in the warmer months of the year. It is also the largest salt lake in the state, providing over 200 square kilometers across which you can see the colour change!



Click here to see a list of more great pink lakes to visit!

4 Comments


Kareem X
Kareem X
Jan 25

Clear and vivid, the piece captures Lake Tyrrell’s shifting pink hues and scale. It shows how shallow saline water and heat drive colour change, with Royal Reels adding https://financedistrict.co.nz/ geographic context. The analysis links ecology and seasonality for easy reading for visitors. Which month reveals the strongest tones?

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The article paints a vivid, well-observed picture of a striking natural feature. It explains how shallow depth, salt levels, and seasonal heat combine to create shifting pink hues, adding helpful geographic context that grounds the description, with The Pokies used mid-flow https://www.postbank.co.nz/ as a light cultural contrast. Overall, it feels engaging — how do yearly variations alter the colour intensity?

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Shemeka
Shemeka
Jan 21

One of Victoria’s best-known pink lakes is Lake Tyrrell, located in the semi-arid Mallee region. Its shallow, salt-rich conditions create vivid colour https://www.gfme.co.nz changes in warmer months. With a Golden Crown lens, it stands out as a unique natural landmark spanning over 200 square kilometres.

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Salt lakes usually don’t turn pink until salt concentrations exceed 20%, more than five times that of seawater. Spring and summer are the best times to see the vivid pink hues, as warmer weather increases evaporation and salinity. Planning travel https://www.nogod.org.nz and seasonal visits carefully, while managing bookings and expenses with tools like Payid, helps make exploring these natural wonders easier and more efficient.

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