Melbourne's naturally pink lake delights tourists
- Published
A lake in a Melbourne park has naturally turned pink, drawing throngs of admirers keen to snap a rosy picture.
The man-made salt lake in Melbourne's Westgate Park has turned a striking bright pink in recent weeks
The vivid shade is produced by lots of sunlight, low rainfall and warm temperatures
In those conditions, the lake's algae produces a red pigment called beta carotene
The result has seen tourists flock to the waters almost every summer since 2013
Some dress up and colour co-ordinate for their pictures against the pink background
However, authorities ask visitors not to get too close, as the water's high salt levels can irritate sensitive skin
On social media, people also warned others of a pungent "rotting eggs" smell
The lake's pink colour typically lasts through to late Autumn, until cooler temperatures restore it back to blue
The phenomenon can be seen in other pink lakes in Australia, Spain, Canada and Senegal
All photographs subject to copyright as marked.
- Published9 March 2017
- Published19 August 2013
