It may be possible to float in the saltwater lakes under the West Gate Bridge, but it’s not recommended. That doesn’t mean they’re not worth a visit.
Due to a naturally high salt concentration and recent weather conditions the three lakes in Port Melbourne’s Westgate Park have turned a shade of lipstick pink. The natural phenomenon only occurs in saltwater lakes in a handful of countries around the world. There are also some pink lakes in the Murray-Sunset National Park in north-west Victoria.
According to Parks Victoria, the red pigment is brought out during hot weather, when there is lots of sunlight and little rainfall. A statement on the Parks Victoria website said the ”natural interaction of a harmless, single-cell alga and halobacterium” was responsible for the change in colour. ”There is no indication the bacterium is dangerous, but we advise people not to come into contact with the water,” it said.
Friends of Westgate Park member Lyn Allison said the colour of the largest lake was most pronounced during Melbourne’s recent heatwave. ”The water level has been going down, which concentrates the salt a bit more. It was certainly exacerbated by the 40-degree heat, that’s when it went really quite red.”
Ms Allison said the lakes were ”quite smelly” at the moment. ”I wouldn’t be encouraging people to go swimming down there. It’s certainly on the nose.”
The lakes are expected to return to their normal colour in autumn.
