Western Australia is a strange and beautiful place - as full of mystery as it is desolation. Kangaroos and wallabies bounce across the desert, massive cane toads croak from the riverbanks, and the forests echo with a cacophony of birds singing. Among the many peculiarities that abound in this land lies a lake known for its rather vivid properties.
Lakes are not defined by any particular shape or size, but on most maps they’re designated in blue. Let's dispel that myth right now. They come in many shades of sapphire, azure, turquoise, black, and sometimes even crystal clear. No two lakes are the same. Pink Lake, though, breaks the mold in the most spectacular fashion.
How is it Pink?
Do they fill it with dye? You might ask. Is it tainted by mineral runoff? No, neither. Pink Lake is naturally pink. Scientists have been debating for the years as to what exactly makes it so pink. It is generally accepted that like the Rainbow Lake in Colombia, a rare form of micro-algae (known as Dunaliella salina) is responsible for both the radiant color of the water and the high salt content. Even that explanation, though, doesn’t satisfy some experts and the scientific community still debates the true cause of this natural phenomena. It's a mystery we may never solve.
Where is It?
A neon body of water should be on anyone's bucket list, but getting there is an adventure all its own. The Pink Lake is in a pretty remote part of the country, in the far southern throws of Western Australia near the coast. Visitors are faced with two options: Get a flight from Perth to small airport of Esperance, the closest city (a ticket usually in the price range of $300-500), or rent an RV, camper van or car, and set out south along National Route 1 for the 7.5-hour drive. Enjoy the beautiful Australian scenery or take a detour through the bush.
We Recommend The Road Trip
Aside from the added experiences that road tripping exposes the traveler to, it is also really trouble-free in this part of Australia. The state has lots of beautiful parks and beaches outfitted with public barbecues. They are well maintained and make for awesome places to stop to throw some shrimp on the barbie in true Aussie fashion.
What Are You Waiting For?
So, if you find yourself in Western Australia hankering for something weird, wild, and wondrous to set your sights on, start planning the trip to Pink Lake. Unlike anywhere else on Earth, you can swim and floating in the highly saline water (just remember not to shave right before -- ouch). There's plenty to do in the area so it's well worth the drive: horse riding, cycling, fishing, scuba diving, whale-watching (May to October), windsurfing, abseiling, kayaking and 4WD drive tours.