If Bolivia boasts of an extraordinary red lake, Lake Colorada, then Australia rivals it with an astonishing, bubble-gum pink colored lake. In fact, Australia has a couple of such pink lakes; Lake Hillier is the most famous of them.
Situated on Middle Island, off the southern coast of Western Australia, this oddly hued lake was first discovered in January 1802 by British explorer Matthew Flinders. When he climbed the highest peak on the island, he spotted this ?small lake of rose color?. Upon closer inspection, he noticed that the lake was saturated with large amount of salt. He even found crystallized salt near the lake?s shores, enough for him to load a ship and take back home.
The surrounding eucalyptus forest and the blue ocean, make the lake?s pink color pop even more. Even though there are other such lakes, like Pink Lake in Australia itself and Lake Retba in Senegal, none are quite like this one. While the causes behind the odd coloring of other pink lakes have been scientifically discovered, Lake Hillier?s tint remains a mystery. What further baffles scientists is unlike pink lakes whose color changes according to the temperature, Lake Hillier?s shade of pink doesn?t budge. Some attribute the lake?s color to the presence of Dunaliella salina microalgae, that have a pink, red, or salmon color. Others say it?s a reaction between the salt and the sodium bicarbonate found in the lake that causes its pink hue. The mystery remains unsolved.
Despite its color, the lake is perfectly safe and causes no harm to the human skin. While it would be fun to take a swim in this candy colored lake, tourists are unfortunately prohibited from swimming in it. Don?t be disheartened though. You can admire it from above! In fact, it looks much better seen from above and its pink color too appears starker. Scenic flight tours over the island is the most common method of seeing the lake. Those looking for a closer visit can take a cruise to the island to explore its forests and this isolated lake.
Lake Hillier is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Australia.
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Tags: Australia Lakes natural wonders Nature
