Located in the far northwest corner of Victoria, about six hours from Melbourne, lies two lakes fit for a Barbie Dreamhouse.
Lake Crosbie and its smaller twin Lake Hardy are actually crystal clear in colour, but glow pink primarily in late summer. They’re made up of solid salt, but thanks to the presence of a red algae called Dunaliella salina, the lakes are given a brilliant rosy hue. The lakes are at their most pink after intense rain, which triggers the growth of the algae. Other times throughout the year the water is paler in colour, sometimes intensely white and clear.
There are plenty of nature trails to try around the lakes, including walks around Lake Hardy and Lake Becking. If you’re driving, Pioneer Drive will take you to plenty of scenic spots beside the lakes, or you can four-wheel it to the Mount Crozier Lookout or the old Mopoke Hut outstation. Be sure to check the road conditions before going as some roads are closed in wet weather.
You’ll be able to discover even more if you decide to camp too – there are campgrounds located at Lake Crosbie which come equipped with toilets, gas barbecues, fireplaces and picnic tables.
While the ‘grammable lake is great for photos, Parks Victoria advises you take caution when coming into contact with the water. Definitely bring water with you, as the salty water in the lakes is not suitable for drinking. Also, because it’s the bush, bring plenty of sun protection and insect repellent. Insects have been known to be very active around the lake in hot weather.