pink lakes in south australia

Ah, the famous pink lakes of South Australia—nature's cheeky splash of colour in the otherwise arid landscape. The most iconic is Lake Hillier on Middle Island, boasting a vibrant bubblegum pink hue caused by the presence of the algae Dunaliella salina and halophilic bacteria. The colour is more pronounced in summer when the salinity soars above 25%. Another contender is Lake Eyre, which occasionally turns a subtle pink after heavy rains. If you're keen on a visit, the best time is during the warmer months when the spectacle is most vivid.

Don't expect to swim in them though; the salt concentration is lethal to the faint-hearted. For a more grounded experience, check out Tradingpost or CarShowroom for tours or local guides who can whisk you away on an adventure.