Seeing pink? You’re not the only one.
Dotted throughout regional Western Australia, South Australia, Northern Territory, and Victoria, you may find lakes that look decidedly not blue. Part of their charm is that they are never the exact same colour two days in a row. If you time your visit right, when the lakes are full of water with the sun beaming, the surface can strike a vivid, bright pink hue. It makes for a stunning walk or picnic location, not to mention a very pretty Instagram post and addition to your photo album.
With so many to choose from, we’ve rounded up ten of our current favourites. Add these coloured lakes to your road trip and prepare to be wowed. Most of them require some driving time to reach, so we’ve got great recommendations about where you can book a nearby cabin at one of our G’day Parks.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Lake Warden, Esperance
Image Credit: @lands.unseen - Tourism Western Australia
This sprawling salt lake is set apart thanks to its surrounding flora, typified by saltwater paperbark trees and banksia. Birds flock to this natural phenomenon, which is also close to pristine beaches.
Your Nearest G’day Parks—Esperance Pink Lake Tourist Park
Hutt Lagoon
Image Credit: Tourism Western Australia
Depending on the day, the colour of this stunning lagoon near Port Gregory on Western Australia's Coral Coast could range from red to lilac. Hutt Lagoon takes up to a six-hour drive from Perth.
Your Nearest G’day Parks—Port Gregory Caravan Park
Lake Hillier
Circled by eucalyptus trees, this lake offers visitors a gorgeous contrast of bubblegum pink and green. Add in the white sand and ocean blue, and you’ve got a paint palette for the ages. This one is tricky to get to, located near Esperance, but you can take a scenic flight or boat tour.
Your Nearest G’day Parks—Esperance Bay Holiday Park
Rottnest Island Salt Lakes
Image Credit: Rottnest Island Authority, Osprey Creative
When taking the ferry out to Rottnest Island/Wadjemup, look out for the island’s 12 salt lakes which are ever changing colour. While you’re there, make sure to stop at the beachside Pinky’s Bar—it's only fitting after seeing so many of the pink lakes Australia has to offer!
Your Nearest G’day Parks—Discovery Resorts – Rottnest Island
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Lake MacDonnell
Image Credit: Riley M Williams - South Australian Tourism Commission
Sometimes called "watermelon avenue", this icon of the Eyre Peninsula is a travel blogger's dream. Drive nine hours from Adelaide, and you’ll find yourself on a one-of-a-kind, colour-blocked road with blue-green on one side, and pink on the other. Stay the night in Ceduna after the long, worthwhile drive to Lake MacDonnell.
Your Nearest G’day Parks—Ceduna Shelly Beach Caravan Park
Lake Bumbunga
Image Credit: Olivia Reynolds - South Australian Tourism Commission
This Clare Valley pink lake, complete with Lochie the Loch Eel monster, is a delight for the whole family. Because it’s often shallow, you can walk out into the lake. Lake Bumbunga makes for a great addition to your weekend Clare Valley trip, just two hours away from Adelaide.
Your Nearest G’day Parks—Discovery Parks - Clare
Lake Eyre
Image Credit: Grant Hunt Photography - South Australian Tourism Commission
Wait until this one has flooded with high water levels, and you’ll find the most spectacular shade of vibrant pink waiting. It’s a long, but scenic drive down the Oodnadatta Track in outback South Australia, so bring your ultimate road trip playlist and snacks (along with your camera).
Your Nearest G’day Parks—Opal Inn Caravan Park
Yorke Peninsula Salt Lake Trail
Credit: @Mitch.Toft - South Australian Tourism Commission
This is one for fans of history as well as nature, starting from Weaners Flat Reserve in Yorketown. The Yorke Peninsula Salt Lake Trail is full of beautiful pale pink lakes, as well as historic ruins of former townships and stone buildings in the surrounding areas.
Your Nearest G’day Parks—Stansbury Caravan Park
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Lake Amadeus
Image Credit: David Hill - Tourism NT
For the largest salt lake in the state, Lake Amadeus is located 50 kilometres’ distance from Uluru (also visible via a scenic flight). Changing by day between deep reds, dusty pinks, shimmering blue, and every shade in between, it’s a spectacular sight to behold.
Your Nearest G’day Parks—Discovery Resorts - Kings Canyon
VICTORIA
Dimboola Pink Lake
Credit: Anne Morely - Visit Victoria
Picnic beside the pink! Take a four-hour drive from Melbourne, followed by a short walk down to the salty lake. Stay in Dimboola or Horsham to make the most of your visit.
Your Nearest G’day Parks—Horsham Holiday Park
Of course, because these lakes change colour due to a natural phenomenon, there are some days when their pink hues are softer, or the water runs dry. In other words, due to factors like cloud cover and salinity levels, they don't stay the same pink colour all year round. Your best chance to catch the cotton-candy colours is when the sun is shining, and the region has experienced fresh rainfall. Plus, with a stay at one of our regional G’day Parks, you’re bound to find all sorts of treasures and beautiful scenery along the journey.
Turn pink on your next adventure, from Western Australia's Hutt Lagoon to South Australia's Lake MacDonnell! Download the G’day Parks app to locate your next pink lake destination today.
