The World’s Weirdest Natural Places

Published September 12, 2014
Updated February 27, 2018

Weirdest Natural Places: Lake Hillier

Hillier Rainbow

Image Source: I Started Something

Lake Hillier is located on an island in Australia’s Recherche Archipelago. It’s pretty big, but not incredibly so. It’s not very deep. It’s not a strange shape, nor does it have any rare, incredible creature living in it. It would be a perfectly average lake if not for one peculiar characteristic. It’s pink.

Weird Nature Action

Image Source: Inside Sport

That’s not because someone spilled something in there. Pink is its natural color. However, we can’t say for sure why. Most theories point to its high salt content and the various bacteria or micro-algae that live in the lake and create a dye that gives it its distinct coloration. Whatever it is, it appears to be harmless to humans. You can feel free to jump in for a dip.

Weirdest Natural Places Aerial

Image Source: World For Travel

In fact, Lake Hillier is not the only one. There is also the creatively named Pink Lake, likewise in Australia, as well as Lake Retba in Senegal (which also means “Pink Lake”). But unlike those two, the mysterious Lake Hillier retains its pink color year-round, no matter the temperature or environmental conditions.

Hillier Boats

Image Source: Seven Holiday Spot

Weirdest Natural Places Lake Hillier

Image Source: www.cntraveler.com

 

Next up: You’d count yourself lucky if you saw one a tenth the size of these…

author
All That's Interesting
author
A New York-based publisher established in 2010, All That's Interesting brings together subject-level experts in history, true crime, and science to share stories that illuminate our world.
editor
John Kuroski
editor
John Kuroski is the editorial director of All That's Interesting. He graduated from New York University with a degree in history, earning a place in the Phi Alpha Theta honor society for history students. An editor at All That's Interesting since 2015, his areas of interest include modern history and true crime.