Everything you need to know about South Australia’s bright pink lakes

Courtney Spicer Courtney Spicer
hero media
Hidden away in the South Australian outback are some of the most spectacular, naturally pink lakes you’ll see.

Somehow these lakes have managed to stay overlooked by many tourists – who we can only assume haven’t been made aware of just how incredible these naturally bright pink lakes really are.

 

Scattered across South Australia’s outback, each of the lakes get their vibrant pink hues from a salt-loving algae that is attracted to the high salinity levels found in the water. While some of the lakes are still being used to harvest gypsum – a soft sulfate mineral used as a fertiliser – a number of old salt mines have been abandoned, leaving travellers to enjoy beautiful, undisturbed views of the incredible natural hue created in the water.

 

The vibrant colours of these lakes change according to the seasons, cloud cover, salinity levels in the water and the time of day, so while you might not always be guaranteed bubble-gum pink views, we can promise you stunning shades year-round. The ever-changing colours make each of these lakes an excellent location for budding photographers to capture the beauty of this natural phenomenon.

Which lakes should I visit?

Lake MacDonnell, Eyre Peninsula

 

How to get there:

 

Located about 860 kilometres from Adelaide, Lake MacDonnell is best accessed via plane from Adelaide airport to Ceduna and then a short 45 minute drive.

 

What else can I do there?

 

The closest town to Lake MacDonnell is the small township of Penong which is famous for its windmills and easy access to the popular Cactus Beach. Known as one of the best surf beaches in Australia for its excellent breaks and secluded location, this beach attracts keen surfers year-round.

 

Kati Thanda Lake Eyre, South Australian outback

 

How to get there:

 

One of the best ways to access Lake Eyre is via tiny outback town William Creek, which is roughly a 15 hour drive from Adelaide. That being said, we recommend that you plan an extended trip through the outback to take in the remote scenery on the way.

 

Alternatively, catch a quick 1.5 hour flight from Adelaide to Roxby Downs (Olympic Dam Airport) and hire a 4WD there to complete the approximately three-hour trip to the lake.

 

What else can I do there?

 

Despite its remote location, there’s plenty to do around Australia’s largest lake from exploring the expanses of the massive salt pan to taking in the views with a scenic flight. While you’re in the area, the William Creek Hotel, established in 1887, is a great place to stop for a drink, meal or even a night. As many visitors choose to visit Lake Eyre as part of a larger trip, we recommend you add the semi-nearby Coober Pedy to your itinerary to check out its underground hotels and even look for some opals to take home.

 

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

Lake Bumbunga, Clare Valley

 

How to get there:

 

Only an hour and 40 minutes’ drive from Adelaide, Lake Bumbunga is one of the most accessible pink lakes in South Australia.

 

What else can I do there?

 

Many tourists enjoy lunch at the popular Jitter Bean Oasis cafe on the Princes Highway during a visit to Lake Bumbunga. The wineries of the nearby Clare Valley are less than a 40-minute drive from this stunning lake, where visitors can enjoy award-winning wines, incredible food and take in the outdoors by walking or biking the nearby trails.

Lake Hart, South Australian outback

 

How to get there:

 

This beautiful lake is a five-and-a-half hour drive from Adelaide and just over an hour south of Roxby Downs, making it a worthwhile stop on your way to Lake Eyre. Otherwise, the lake can be glimpsed by passengers aboard The Great Southern Rail’s Ghan service.

 

What else can I do there?

 

There isn’t much else to be done in the area other than camping nearby to enjoy the lake-side views and the excellent stargazing opportunities. Many visitors use this beautiful lake as a stop along the way to Coober Pedy, Lake Eyre and Yulara.

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

Lake Albert, Murray River

 

How to get there:

 

Located less than two hours from Adelaide along the Princes Highway, Lake Albert is a must-see destination. Just off the highway there is a spot for travellers to pull over and take in the lake.

 

What else can I do there?

 

For an unforgettable experience at Lake Albert make sure to stay a night or two in the nearby town, Meningie. Here visitors can take in the surrounding landscape by walking, canoeing and fishing in the area and can also drive a 4WD along local tracks and the beach.

Want to see more stories from Australian Traveller in your Google search results?

  1. Click here to set Australian Traveller as a preferred source.
  2. Tick the box next to "Australian Traveller". That's it.
Courtney Spicer

Courtney Spicer

View profile and articles
Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre is about to flood for the first time in years
Outback South Australia

Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre is about to flood for the first time in years

Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre is rising – and so is demand to see it.

Read more
a luxury lodge in Arkaba Homestead, Flinders Ranges
Flinders Ranges

The 8 best Flinders Ranges accommodation for any budget

Hit the hay at these incredible stays.

Read more
an aerial view of Arkaroola Village
Flinders Ranges

What makes Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary so special

With a thriving colony of friendly yellow-footed rock wallabies, jaw-dropping lookout points and some of the clearest night skies on earth, this unique property stands alone even in the wild and ancient landscape of the Flinders Ranges.

Read more
Scenic Flight over Wilpena Pound in the Flinders Ranges
Flinders Ranges

7 Flinders Ranges tours that will enrich your experience

This sprawling mountain range is vast and filled with mystery, but the right tours can help unlock the secrets of an ancient and beguiling landscape.

Read more
hero media

No time to hibernate: experience the best of winter in NSW

    Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
    Continue
    Whales breaching, fires crackling and slow-cooked feasts that make the cold so cosy, one might wish it lasted longer. Winter is no time to stay at home in NSW.

    When the mercury drops, winter in NSW comes into its own. Beaches are quieter, the air is crisper and hearty food tastes even better when there’s ice on the windows.

    Winter here isn’t for hiding away. It’s for long walks, deep baths, deeper reds and the kind of fireside lounging that feels simultaneously indulgent and entirely deserved after a day of exploring. From whale-watching up north to moodily lit bushwalks and pastry pilgrimages, we’ve mapped out your new favourite season.

    a beach winter in nsw
    From coastal walks to tasty delights, winter in NSW is a time to get out and about.

    The Tweed

    In winter, the NSW north coast has a front-row seat to one of nature’s greatest migrations. From May to November, humpbacks cruise past the Tweed coast between Antarctica and the Great Barrier Reef. Spot them from the Cabarita Beach headland or get up closer with a boat cruise.

    Inland, find the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre, which is home to a rotating cast of big-name exhibitions (including Monet).

    Later, grab a table at Bistro Livi, where the modern Spanish menu features whipped salt cod on toast and spanner crab with curry butter and spelt flatbread. Stick around to poke through the artist studios and indie boutiques of M|Arts Precinct.

    visitors at Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre
    Browse the art. (Image: Destination NSW)

    The next day, jump aboard the Indigenous Lunch Cruise with Tweed Escapes. You’ll cruise upriver listening to yarns from local Indigenous guides, stop at the Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Museum and tuck into lemon myrtle-crusted snapper.

    Next, drive out to Farm & Co to pull apart some juicy smoked lamb shoulder with green olive tapenade while gazing out over the macadamia fields and avocado groves of this working farm.

    End the day at Mantra on Salt Beach where you’ll enjoy beach access, a heated rock spa and a lagoon pool.

    dining room at Bistro Livi
    Taste modern Spanish at Bistro Livi.

    Blue Mountains

    The cold season is hands down the best time to visit the Blue Mountains. Temperatures are perfect – sunny enough for hikes, and crisp enough at night for snuggling up.

    For a trip that equally soothes and stirs, start with a meditative meander through the national park’s eucalypts and Australian wildflowers. Brave the steepest passenger railway in the world, Scenic Railway, then hop the Skyway aerial cable car for unrivalled Three Sisters views.

    Thaw out at the Japanese Bath House in South Bowenfels. Soak in steamy outdoor onsens filled with natural mineral water and mountain views, wander the rose and zen gardens, or sip hot drinks in the tea house.

    group leader at Blue Mountains Stargazing
    Rug up for Blue Mountains Stargazing. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Afterwards, head to Ates in Blackheath, where everything revolves around a 150-year-old ironbark-fuelled oven – like the wood-roasted duck with nectarines and Szechuan spice. Or visit Tempus Katoomba, which leans experimental and sustainable, serving up dishes like braised fennel with cumin, spiced yogurt and Aleppo pepper.

    Rug up and head into the night with Blue Mountains Stargazing. Sessions are guided by astrophysicists, helping you understand what you’re looking at as you look into deep space.

    Wrap it all up at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains – MGallery Collection. There’s a whiskey bar in the basement (and crackling fires that make a dram taste even better), indoor and outdoor pools and a day spa. Kids will love the mirror maze and ice rink, too.

    dishes laid out on table at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains
    End the day with delicious meals at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Southern Highlands

    Good food and wine by the fire, experienced between sifting through second-hand treasures, is a winter vibe in Bowral.

    Start with a lap around Dirty Janes, an antique and vintage market. Recover from your shopping frenzy at Bendooley Book Barn, where floor-to-ceiling shelves and a roaring fire set the tone for an afternoon of red wine or hot coffee.

    When it’s time to eat, head to Hickory’s Restaurant & Bar, Peppers Craigieburn Bowral’s onsite restaurant. Try the crispy pork belly with Granny Smith crisps and apple gel, or ocean trout with wakame, lemon gel and pickled radish.

    couple looking through Dirty Janes in bowral
    Wander the antiques at Dirty Janes. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Another option, Onesta Cucina, does Italian with flair. For something more casual (with cocktails), Flour Bar swings between brunch and dinner, with an onsite bakery, over 400 wines and a hidden deli in the old bank vault.

    Later, clamber Mt Gibraltar, where trails wind through eucalypt forest to views over Bowral and Mittagong.

    Stay at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral, a century-old estate with open fires, elegant lounges and a nine-hole golf course.

    woman and her dog winter in nsw at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral
    Stay cosy at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral.

    Penrith

    Shake off winter inertia with an adrenaline boost out in Penrith. Kick things off with a kayak paddle on the Nepean River with Horizon Line, or head to Cables Wake Park, where cold-weather wetsuits take the edge off a wipeout.

    For something a bit more cruisy, opt for the Nepean Belle Paddlewheeler for slow-floating views and a hot cuppa.

    kayakers on the nepean river in penrith
    Head out on the Nepean River. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Refuel at Marcel Bar & Bistro, where reimagined European comfort food – like seafood risotto in bisque with little neck clams and Moreton Bay bugs – is king. Then check in at the Pullman Sydney Penrith, the area’s first international five-star hotel, to enjoy your well-earned rest.

    Pullman Penrith
    Set yourself up at Pullman Penrith.

    Start planning your NSW winter getaway at all.com.