Pink Lakes trail
Murray-Sunset National Park
Length: 2.5km
Walk: 1.5 hours return
Track: Good
Grade: Gentle
Start: Pink Lakes picnic area
Finish: Pink Lakes picnic area
Nearby: Ouyen
Permits/Bookings: None required
Best time: late autumn–spring
The walk, beginning at the Pink Lakes picnic area, reveals why Victoria’s second largest national park is so popular. In spring, four of the park’s lakes – Becking, Crosbie, Roulton and Kenyon – turn a vivid pink. This effect is caused by the release of a red pigment called carotene by algae in the water. The brilliant colour is best viewed at dawn, in the late afternoon or under a cloudy sky.
The huge flatlands of Murray-Sunset National Park also provide refuge for some unusual plants and animals. It is home to Victoria’s largest flower, the Murray lily and Australia’s rarest bird, the black-eared miner. In this untouched wilderness, you will also find a diversity of habitats, including Murray River billabongs, wetlands, woodlands, semiarid sand dunes and salt pans.
Important tips
- Always carry extra water, wear strong and comfortable shoes, keep the sun off your face with a hat, and take a warm jumper and waterproof jacket.
- Never camp beneath a river red gum – they can drop their limbs in any weather.
- Take care when swimming. Submerged branches and dangerous currents can be hazardous.
