No, that’s not Photoshop. Westgate Park, located on the edge of the city in Port Melbourne, has turned a delicious shade of pink again.
This vibrant wetland and nature sanctuary sits under the Westgate Bridge. The pink hue is a natural phenomenon and happens in response to high salt levels, lots of sunlight and a lack of rainfall.
It turns pink due to the natural interaction of a harmless single-cell green alga called dunaliella salina, and another harmless halobacterium called halobacteria cutirubrum. The colour can intensify as the water evaporates in the summer heat and it produces a strong red pigment called beta carotene.
It’s not the first time this lake has turned pink. It usually happens in late summer. Luckily the pink colour has no impact on birdlife on the lake. If you’re going to visit the lake, Parks Victoria advises that you stick to the designated paths and avoid walking on the edge of the water, as it may be unstable. There’s no indication that the bacteria is dangerous, but it’s probably best not to come into contact with the water, just in case.
Check out some of the photos from when we visited.
Photograph: Graham Denholm
Photograph: Graham Denholm
Photograph: Graham Denholm
Photograph: Graham Denholm
You can check it out for yourself. Westgate Park is located at 4 Wharf Road in Port Melbourne. You can catch the 235 bus from the city to get there.