Murray-Sunset

In the wider region around Murray-Sunset, the Pink Lakes combine striking colours with traces of salt mining. There is also a loop walk at Lake Hardy, floodplain landscapes with water activities, and driving routes through the Pink Lakes area. This lets you choose different focuses for your trip: nature watching, cultural history, a walk, or activities on the water and in a vehicle.

Pink Lakes: Colour and Salt History

Abandoned remnants of salt mines and salt heaps lie along the edges of the Pink Lakes. Operations ended in 1979; the remains make the area’s former use visible in the landscape. The Kline Loop Nature Walk explains the history of long-standing salt mining, the harsh conditions faced by workers, and life in a remote part of the state. Nature and history sit side by side here: the lakes are notable not only for their colour, but also for the traces of the work associated with them.

Lake Hardy is considered the pinkest of the Pink Lakes in Murray-Sunset National Park. The Pink Lakes show their colour in late summer, when algae release the red pigment carotene. How intense the colour appears depends on conditions. If you are interested in the natural processes behind this distinctive landscape, you will find a specific seasonal connection here rather than a promise of unchanging colour.

The region’s past also reflects different ways of life: the historic Shearers Quarters Cottage once served as sleeping quarters for men who drove livestock through the region. The Kline Loop Nature Walk, by contrast, focuses on salt mining and workers’ conditions. Together, these themes offer a glimpse into different aspects of life in the area in the past.

Nature Watching and Excursions

Murray-Sunset National Park is home to species including Malleefowl, Regent Parrot, Red-lored Whistler, and Mallee Emu-Wren; these species are native to the area. For nature watchers, they are a special reason to look out for birdlife as well. Sightings are not guaranteed, however. You can combine a focus on nature with other interests without making every activity the same kind of experience.

The loop around Lake Hardy is 1.7 kilometres long, rated Grade 3, and takes about 45 minutes. Its length and approximate duration give you specific guidance for planning your day. Pioneer Drive offers a different focus: the route crosses the Pink Lakes area from Lake Crosbie via Lake Kenyon to Lake Becking. For the Lake Hardy loop, the distance and estimated walking time are specified; for Pioneer Drive, the sequence of lakes is the main feature.

With a four-wheel-drive vehicle, you can drive to Mount Crozier Lookout or the old outpost at Mopoke Hut. This is a different excursion option from the loop walk or activities in the floodplains. Check current road conditions before setting out on these drives. That way, you can tailor your plans to each excursion and the vehicle specified for it.

Canoeing, boating, and fishing are possible in the floodplain landscapes around Walpolla, Lindsay, and Mulcra Island. These three activities offer different ways to spend time on the water. You can decide which suits your stay based on your interests; local conditions may affect access.

Getting There and Choosing a Holiday Rental

The Pink Lakes are on the Mallee Highway, 60 kilometres west of Ouyen. From there, a gravel road that is open year-round runs for 13 kilometres to the main campgrounds at Lake Crosbie. The Pink Lakes can also be reached from Linga via a gravel road in two-wheel-drive vehicles. Check current road conditions before setting out so your travel plans take the route into account.

When looking for a holiday rental, you can start by considering which experiences you want to shape your stay: the colours of the lakes and salt history, native birdlife, a loop walk, or activities on the water. The details for the Lake Hardy loop help you allow for an approximate time for an outing; the routes and access roads provide further guidance for planning excursions. Compare your planned activities with the location of a property before choosing your base. This helps you tailor your search to your travel group’s interests, rather than treating every excursion as the same kind of activity.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Shepparton, Bundoora, Longwood, Drung, Beaconsfield Upper, Terang, Pyramid Hill, Bullarto.

For the broader travel guide: Victoria.