Lake MacDonnell, Eyre Peninsula, South Australia © Jaxon Foale
Australia's pink lakes
Australia is home to many beguiling natural attractions, but its extraordinary pink lakes have got to be seen to be believed.
A one and a half-hour flight from Perth, the gorgeous beach town of Esperance in Western Australia is within reach to not just one, but dozens of vibrant pink and rainbow lakes – ranging from pastel pink to sparkling orange and deep, moody red. The best time of year to marvel at the rainbow is from June to January, but you'll find intriguing hues in the lakes' waters all year-round. Take in this epic spectacle from the skies aboard a scenic flight with Fly Esperance, where you'll also get to witness the crisp white sand and rich blue coastline of Cape Le Grand National Park from above.
From its red cliffs to bright blue waters, Western Australia’s Coral Coast is known for having some of the most vividly-hued nature found anywhere in the country. Less than a six-hour drive north of Perth, Hutt Lagoon is one of the region’s highlights. Depending on the season, time of day and cloud coverage, this lake changes from red to pink or purple. Visit during mid-morning or sunset to catch the best of the lake's colourful spectrum. Cruise along George Grey Drive, or see the mesmerising marvel from the sky with Shine Aviation or Kalbarri Scenic Flights.
The pale pinks, oranges and yellows of Lake Eyre epitomise the vast landscapes of outback South Australia. Located a six-hour drive or 1.5-hour flight from Adelaide, the lake is usually a glistening white salt pan. It’s a stunning sight, but becomes a different kind of beautiful every few years as the lake floods with water. The flooding brings flourishing greenery, flocks of birds and a lake turned dreamy shades of pink and orange. This desert oasis is best experienced from the skies aboard a scenic flight with Wrightsair.
Less than a two-hour drive from Adelaide, Lake Bumbunga is not only one of Australia’s most accessible pink lakes but also one of the most photogenic. Its magenta shores draw amateur and professional photographers alike to capture hues of pink and white, which change with the salinity of the water. After you’ve snapped a few shots, drive less than an hour to reach the Clare Valley. Quench your thirst with a glass of the region’s signature riesling from cellar doors like Sevenhill Cellars and Eldredge.
Contrasting colours of pink, blue and green create the striking scene that is Lake MacDonnell. Located in South Australia’s breathtaking Eyre Peninsula, Lake MacDonnell is one of the country’s most intensely pink lakes, owing to its high salt concentration. Cruise along Watermelon Avenue, the ultra-Instagrammable road between the bubblegum-hued lake and the neighbouring blue-green waters. When you reach the end of the path, prepare to be rewarded with even more spectacular views at Cactus Beach.
Lake Hart, set in the seemingly endless outback of South Australia, is as beautiful by night as it is by day. This shallow pink lake has a high salt concentration that creates salt crystals under the pastel water. Its isolation in the outback makes way for incredible star-gazing, but the lake is equally impressive as the salt sparkles in the sun. The pastel dream is one of many treasures you can spot onboard the Indian Pacific; a world-class train journey between Sydney and Perth.
The Murray-Sunset National Park brings starry nights and rugged landscapes, but its most intriguing drawcard is the Pink Lakes. Sprinkled on the wild landscape of north-west Victoria, about a five-hour drive from Melbourne, these lakes change from brilliant pink to glistening white, and tend to be at their most vibrant on cloudy days. Plan to spend more than a day here; you’ll find great walking tracks ranging in difficulty as well as picturesque campgrounds nearby.
