Melbourne's naturally pink lake delights tourists

[beyond]

A lake in a Melbourne park has naturally turned pink, drawing throngs of admirers keen to snap a rosy picture.

The man-made salt lake in Melbourne's Westgate Park has turned a striking bright pink in recent weeks

The vivid shade is produced by lots of sunlight, low rainfall and warm temperatures

In those conditions, the lake's algae produces a red pigment called beta carotene

The result has seen tourists flock to the waters almost every summer since 2013

Some dress up and colour co-ordinate for their pictures against the pink background

However, authorities ask visitors not to get too close, as the water's high salt levels can irritate sensitive skin

On social media, people also warned others of a pungent "rotting eggs" smell

The lake's pink colour typically lasts through to late Autumn, until cooler temperatures restore it back to blue

The phenomenon can be seen in other pink lakes in Australia, Spain, Canada and Senegal