The ultimate Instagram backdrop: This mesmerising lake glows bubblegum pink - and it's hidden less than 20 minutes' drive from a bustling city
- A mesmerising lake filled with vibrant pink water is hidden in an industrial part of Melbourne close to the CBD
- Hundreds of Australians have been flocking to Westgate Park's main attraction to capture Instagram photos
- It is similar to WA's famous Hutt Lagoon, but at 20 minutes' drive from the city it's infinitely more accessible
- The pink hue is created by a specific balance of sunlight, heat, low rainfall and pigment-producing algaeAustralians searching for the perfect Instagram photo are travelling to an industrial part of Melbourne to pose in front of a lake filled with pink water.
Hundreds have been flocking to the lake, tucked away in Westgate Park less than 20 minutes' drive from the CBD, to capture content for their social media feeds.
The lake is strikingly similar to the better known Hutt Lagoon, a spectacular site six hours' drive north of Perth at Yalabathara that is quickly becoming a 'must-see' destination on Australia's west coast.
But at 6.3km from the bustling heart of Melbourne, Westgate Park offers a more accessible alternative.
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Australians hungry for the perfect Instagram photo are travelling to an industrial part of Melbourne to pose in front of this mesmerising lake filled with bubblegum pink water
Hundreds have been flocking to the lake, tucked away in Westgate Park less than 20 minutes' drive from the CBD, to capture carefully curated content for their social media feedsHowever you'll need to time your visit because the captivating hue isn't permanent.
The natural phenomenon only occurs with the right balance of salt, sunlight, high temperatures, low rainfall and algae, which produces a reddish-orange pigment called beta-Carotene that stains water pink.
Parks Victoria told the ABC Westgate lake first turned pink in December 2012, and has turned pink almost every summer since.
The colour is at its most vivid when the sun hangs directly over the water, from 10am until 2pm each day.
Westgate Park, 6.3 kilometres from Melbourne CBD
The natural phenomenon only occurs with the right balance of salt, sunlight, high temperatures, low rainfall and algae, which produces a reddish-orange pigment called beta-Carotene that stains water pink
The colour is at its most vivid when the sun hangs directly over the water, from 10am until 2pm each day
Photos of the lake have drawn stunned responses on social media, with one woman who visited last summer declaring she was 'in awe of its beauty'.
'Nature will never cease to amaze me,' said a second, while a third called it the best sight she has witnessed in Australia.
Many were incredulous that such a remarkable attraction existed in Melbourne.
One resident said she only recently discovered the lake despite living in the city for more than 20 years.
The lake in Westgate Park is strikingly similar to Hutt Lagoon (pictured), six hours' drive north of Perth at Yalabathara on the mid-Western Australia coast
Hutt Lagoon (pictured) is stained pink by the same natural phenomenon that occurs at Westgate Park
Others said they could hardly believe how vivid the colour was in real life.
Intrepid travellers willing to make the trek to Western Australia's more remote Hutt Lagoon can see the phenomenon from more adventurous vantage points than just the water's edge.
Thrill-seekers can take in the lagoon on one of several scenic flights that take off each day, while those who prefer to stay grounded can jump on a buggy tour that also takes in the nearby sand dunes and scenery.
Hutt Lagoon also contains the world's largest microalgae production plant and a commercial supply of brine shrimp, which is used as a specialty feed by prawn and fish farmers.
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