Pink Lake (Victoria)

Pink Lake (historically known as Lake Lochiel[1]) is a small, circular, salty pink lake on the Western Highway just north of Dimboola in Australia. Granville Stapylton, part of the explorer Thomas Mitchell's 1836 expedition into western Victoria, reconnoitered Pink Lake on 20 July 1836.[2]

Pink Lake
Pink Lake, 2015
Pink Lake Location in Victoria
Location	Dimboola, Victoria
Coordinates	36°25′05″S 141°57′40″E
Type	Salt lake
Basin countries	Australia
Max. length	2 km (1 mi)
Max. width	2 km (1 mi)
Surface area	45 ha (111 acres)
Surface elevation	250 m (820 ft)

The lake received its name from its distinctive pink colour.[3] The brightness of the hue varies according to the level of rainfall.[4] Until recently it was assumed that red algae created the pink hue; however, recent research reported by Australian Geographic describes the colour as result of a pigment produced by the Salinibacter ruber bacteria.[5] The lake along with Lake Crosbie, Lake Becking, Lake Kenyon and Lake Hardyis are part of the Murray-Sunset National Park and is managed by Parks Victoria.[6] A rest-stop overlooks the lake's basin.

Salt has been harvested from the lake since the 1860s and on average 20 tonnes a year are harvested by the Mount Zero Olive company working in conjunction with the Barengi Gadjin Land Council.[7] Commercial harvesting stopped in the 1970s but was resumed after negotiations between the Victorian State government, the Barengi Gadjin Land Council and the Mount Zero Olive Company in 2009.[8]