Melbourne's naturally pink lake delights tourists

A lake in a Melbourne park has naturally turned pink, drawing throngs of admirers keen to snap a rosy picture.

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Image caption, The man-made salt lake in Melbourne's Westgate Park has turned a striking bright pink in recent weeks

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Image caption, The vivid shade is produced by lots of sunlight, low rainfall and warm temperatures

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Image caption, In those conditions, the lake's algae produces a red pigment called beta carotene

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Image caption, The result has seen tourists flock to the waters almost every summer since 2013

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Image caption, Some dress up and colour co-ordinate for their pictures against the pink background

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Image caption, However, authorities ask visitors not to get too close, as the water's high salt levels can irritate sensitive skin

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Image caption, On social media, people also warned others of a pungent "rotting eggs" smell

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Image caption, The lake's pink colour typically lasts through to late Autumn, until cooler temperatures restore it back to blue

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Image caption, The phenomenon can be seen in other pink lakes in Australia, Spain, Canada and Senegal

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