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Lake Bumbunga
Lake Bumbunga
Lake Bumbunga
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Lake Bumbunga is a salt lake located in the Mid North of the state of South Australia, between the town of Lochiel and the farming locality of Bumbunga, approximately 1.5 hours' drive from Adelaide. It is a pink lake, with its colour due to certain algae.

Key Information

Salt has been mined there almost continuously since 1881, and it has become a tourist attraction, along with its "Loch Eel Monster" sculpture in the middle of it.

History

[edit]

The lake lies in the traditional lands of the Kaurna people.[2][3]

According to anthropologist Norman Tindale, the name Bumbunga derives from the word parnpangka in the local Aboriginal language (Kaurna), meaning "rain water lake".[4]

Description

[edit]
View looking east from Hwy 1 rest stop, late spring 2010

The lake is situated in the Mid North of South Australia, approximately 125 km (78 mi)[5] (1.5 hours' drive) from the state capital city, Adelaide.[6] Easily visible from Highway 1 for a distance of 10 km (6.2 mi), the 15-square-kilometre (5.8 sq mi)[7] Lake Bumbunga is a dramatic departure from the surrounding landscape due to its seasonal pink colouration and wide expanse.[8] The colour is due to a certain type of algae which tolerates its high salinity and produces pink pigment that helps it to take energy. The colour changes throughout the year; it is often pinker in spring than winter, owing to more fresh water bringing nutrients to the algae and increased sunlight compared to the winter months. Summers are dry and the water evaporates.[5]

The lake is the largest of a system of Quaternary Holocene saline lakes extending about 30 km (19 mi) north of Lochiel, draining an area to the east of the Barunga Range, where it merges with the Hummock Range. Salt is dissolved from saline mud produced when winter rain fills the lake.[9] Each summer a large portion of the lake dries up.[8]

Salt harvesting

[edit]
Salt harvesting at Lake Bumbunga in the late 1940s

Salt is precipitated from gypsum, are precipitated out at this stage.[further explanation needed] The water is then pumped into crystallising ponds, where common salt precipitates. The process is stopped before all the salt comes down in order to avoid contamination with magnesium and potassium salts. The final liquors, known as bitterns, are drained away from the salt, which is then harvested. At Lake Bumbunga, brine is pumped into three 25 hectare (62 acre) crystalliser ponds for refining.[9]

The potential of Lake Bumbunga's shallow waters for salt harvesting was recognised in 1868. Salt was harvested from the lake bed in summer months from 1881; two years later, output was 6.1 to 8.1 tonnes (6 to 8 long tons) per day. Evaporation pans, furnaces, tank and men's quarters were built at the northern end of the lake. Mining provided employment and other economic benefits for many years; the town of Lochiel, on the west bank of the lake, is said to have "developed slowly with the industry, its survival in the 20th century being almost totally dependent on the salt harvesting".[8][10] By 1910 there were at least three lease-holders scraping thousands of tons of salt from evaporation pans when the lake dried up – usually in December.[8] In 1913, the Australian Salt Company was incorporated and held all the lake leases until 1971, when the company became a wholly owned subsidiary of Cheetham Salt Company Limited – now Cheetham Salt Limited, Australia's largest producer and refiner of solar salt.[11][note 1]

Efficiency of transportation was improved in 1926 after a 9 km (5.5 mi)[12] branch line was built from the nearby Salisbury railway line,[13] enabling transport directly to Port Adelaide.[10][note 2] During World War II, when salt was need for munitions manufacture, employment rose from 30 to 100 workers, with three shifts a day, and two trains a week transported the product in bags.[14] In 1967, 1000 tonnes a day were harvested; at that time South Australia was producing 80 per cent of Australia's salt, although that soon decreased, with major expansion of solar salt production in Western Australia. Forty years later, average annual production was reported as 10,000 tonnes (11,000 tons).[9] From 1996 to 2012, the works closed and no salt was harvested.[14] With harvesting becoming practicable using only front-end loaders and trucks, the maintenance and salt works buildings became redundant and were demolished in 2000.[7][8]

Tourism

[edit]
"Loch Eel", visible from the northern approaches to Lochiel

The lake is a tourist attraction owing to its pinkness, with its popularity growing in recent years, attracting stops by tourist buses.[6]

A fibreglass sculpture named the "Loch-Eel monster" (wordplay on Lochiel, the nearest town, whose namesake is a forest in northern Scotland[6]) is visible in the middle of the lake. The backstory for the monster harks back to a time when bullock (ox) teams were common, in the late 1880s. The story goes that bullocks were walking over the lake when they were "spooked by some sort of monster, went to the wrong part of the lake... and gradually got sucked under and went down".[5] The original version of the monster was created from piles of old tyres, and locals called it the Loch Ness monster's cousin. After the head got stolen in 2017, work began on the fibreglass replacement.[6]

There is a walking trail around the lake for tourists.[5]

Other uses

[edit]

The lake has been used as background for advertising by R. M. Williams, Mercedes-Benz, Foxtel and others, as well as fashion shoots for the Adelaide Fashion Festival. Tim Minchin used Lake Bumbunga as a filming location for his TV series Upright,[6] with a cast of more than 50 people on the lake.[5]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Lake Bumbunga

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from Grokipedia
Lake Bumbunga is a hypersaline located in the Mid North region of , near the town of Lochiel and approximately 130 kilometres north of , spanning an area of about 15 square kilometres. The name 'Bumbunga' derives from the Indigenous , meaning 'rain water lake'. Renowned for its vibrant pink hues, particularly visible during dry seasons when evaporation concentrates salinity, promoting blooms of salt-tolerant microorganisms under sunlight, the lake's coloration results from pigments produced by salt-tolerant microorganisms, including the alga and halophilic bacteria such as species, which thrive in hypersaline conditions. Historically, Lake Bumbunga has been a significant site for salt extraction, with harvesting beginning in the summer of 1881 after initial recognition of its potential in ; by 1883, production reached 6 to 8 tonnes per day, and operations continued under companies like Cheetham Salt Ltd. until the main salt works closed in 2000, with cumulative production estimated at around 760,000 tonnes from 1940 to 2013. The lake's ephemeral nature—filling with winter rains and evaporating in summer to form salt crusts—supports this seasonal cycle, while its position in a closed basin enhances the hypersaline environment essential for the microbial communities responsible for its distinctive appearance. In recent decades, Lake Bumbunga has emerged as a major due to its photogenic bubblegum-pink shores, drawing visitors for , fashion shoots, and eco-tourism within less than two hours' drive from , often in conjunction with nearby wine regions. A key feature enhancing its appeal is the "Loch-Eel Monster," a whimsical metal resembling a installed in the lake in 2021, playfully nodding to the and visible from viewing platforms along the Augusta Highway. The lake's color can vary from white or blue during wetter periods to intense in dry seasons, underscoring its sensitivity to rainfall, evaporation, and climate patterns in the semi-arid region.

Geography

Location

Lake Bumbunga is situated in the Mid North region of , with geographic coordinates of 33°54′S 138°11′E. It lies between the town of Lochiel to the west and the rural locality of Bumbunga to the east, forming a key landmark in the Wakefield Regional Council area. The lake is approximately 125 km north of , the state capital, placing it within easy reach for day trips from the city. It straddles the boundaries of the popular and tourist regions, enhancing its appeal as a scenic stop along regional routes. Travelers can spot the lake's distinctive pink hues from 1 (also known as the Augusta Highway or B75), which runs parallel to its eastern edge. As part of a broader system of saline lakes, Lake Bumbunga is embedded in a of dry, flat plains surrounded by agricultural farmlands and the small of Lochiel. Access is straightforward by road, with the drive from taking under two hours via the . Nearby, the Lochiel South Rest Area provides convenient parking and shaded spots overlooking the lake, facilitating visits for motorists and tourists.

Physical features

Lake Bumbunga is an ephemeral occupying a shallow basin that spans approximately 15 km² at its maximum extent. The lake forms part of the broader Bumbunga Land System, a covering 85.5 km² dominated by the lake itself, associated lunettes, and higher-level flats. As a hypersaline endorheic feature, the lake experiences high rates driven by the arid of South Australia's Mid North region, with inflows limited to sporadic rainfall and seepage from a near-surface table. These dynamics result in concentrated brines that support salt crystallization, though specific measurements vary with levels. The surrounding terrain consists of flat, low-lying plains rising to modest elevations of 80–108 m, featuring a crusted salt surface during dry periods and subtle lunettes formed by wind-deposited sediments along the eastern and southern margins. Seasonal variations profoundly influence the lake's morphology and . In summer, intense leads to complete drying, exposing expansive salt flats and reducing the surface area to near zero. Winter rains partially refill the basin, restoring shallow waters—typically under 1 m deep—and expanding the lake's footprint, though it remains ephemeral and prone to rapid fluctuations. These cycles highlight the lake's integration into a larger system of saline lakes extending northward.

History

Indigenous significance

Lake Bumbunga lies within the traditional lands of the people, the Aboriginal custodians of the Adelaide Plains in . The Kaurna territory extends from the Light River in the north, encompassing the Mid North region where the lake is located, southward to Sellicks Hill and bounded by to the west and the to the east. The name "Bumbunga" derives from the word "parnpangka," which translates to "rain water lake," highlighting the lake's seasonal filling during wet periods and its role as a vital freshwater source in an otherwise arid landscape. This linguistic origin underscores the Kaurna's intimate knowledge of the local environment, where the lake served as a key gathering point for water resources amid the episodic rainfall patterns of the plains. Archaeological evidence from the Mid North region demonstrates Aboriginal occupation dating back thousands of years, with the lake likely functioning as a seasonal hub for resource collection in pre-colonial times. The people's connection to such water bodies reflects broader cultural practices tied to the land's cyclical , though specific oral traditions associated with Lake Bumbunga remain documented primarily through linguistic and territorial records.

European exploration and development

European settlement in the Mid North region of , where Lake Bumbunga is located, began in the early 1840s as part of broader pastoral expansion following the discovery of copper deposits at nearby in 1842 and Burra in 1845. Pastoralists established sheep and cattle runs across the area, including leases around the lake such as the 251-square-mile holding taken up by Captain John Ellis in 1845, with freshwater wells dug along the lake's edges to support grazing activities. The township of Lochiel, situated adjacent to the lake, emerged in this context, with the Lake View Hotel licensed in 1863 and the town formally surveyed in 1869 as part of the Hundred of Cameron, reflecting the gradual colonization of the region for and resource use. The potential of Lake Bumbunga's shallow waters for salt harvesting was first recognized during surveys in , leading to leases being taken up and formal evaporation works commencing on sections 646 and 652 in 1881. By 1883, production had reached 6 to 8 tonnes of salt per day through manual scraping of the lake bed during summer dry periods, supporting early exploitation amid the region's agricultural development. Multiple leaseholders operated by 1910, extracting thousands of tonnes annually when conditions allowed, which bolstered the local economy for farming communities around Lochiel by providing seasonal labor opportunities and contributing to infrastructure like roads and storage facilities. In 1913, the Australian Salt Company was incorporated, consolidating operations with refining works north of Lochiel and holding all lake leases by 1930 after a brief around 1922 and reformation in 1924. Transportation efficiency improved significantly in 1926 with the construction of a 8-kilometer (5-mile) railway from Bumbunga to the salt works at Lochiel, enabling the first run on of that year and facilitating bulk export to broader markets. Salt production peaked in the mid-20th century, averaging approximately 28,250 tonnes per year from 1940 to 1950, underscoring the lake's integral role in sustaining and for Lochiel's farming-dependent through expanded labor forces and related developments like the town's hall built in 1910-1911.

Ecology

Water chemistry

Lake Bumbunga maintains a hypersaline environment, with conductivity measured at up to 185 mS/cm, classifying it as extremely saline and far exceeding levels (approximately 5 mS/cm). The dominant ions include sodium and chloride from (NaCl), alongside significant magnesium and sulfate contributions, which are typical of inland Australian salt lakes where salts derive from dissolved sediments. The is alkaline, with a recorded value of 7.45. The lake's distinctive pink coloration arises from carotenoid pigments, such as beta-carotene, produced by the halophilic alga and red pigments from halophilic , which flourish in the hypersaline, often low-oxygen conditions. These pigments serve as a protective response to high light intensity and stress, imparting the vivid hue that becomes more pronounced during algal blooms triggered by optimal environmental conditions. The color intensity varies seasonally, intensifying with warmer temperatures and stable water levels that favor algal proliferation. Evaporation, driven by the region's arid climate with annual rainfall around 400 mm, concentrates dissolved salts and promotes the formation of (rock salt) crusts on the lake bed and margins, particularly during dry summers when water levels drop. Seasonal dilution occurs through winter rainfall and , temporarily reducing and altering concentrations before resumes the cycle. This dynamic interplay maintains the lake's hypersaline profile year-round. Groundwater inflows from surrounding aquifers further influence ion balances, introducing additional sodium, magnesium, and while contributing to overall volume in this . The arid setting amplifies evaporation rates, exacerbating salt accumulation and linking subsurface hydrology to surface chemistry.

Biological aspects

The extreme hypersaline conditions of Lake Bumbunga support a specialized but limited biological community, primarily composed of halophilic microorganisms adapted to high salt concentrations. The lake's distinctive pink hue results from blooms of the halophilic alga Dunaliella salina, which produces carotenoid pigments like beta-carotene to shield against ultraviolet radiation and osmotic stress. These blooms are most pronounced during periods of elevated and , contributing to the lake's seasonal color variations. Complementing the algae, halophilic bacteria such as species generate red archaeal pigments () that enhance the pigmentation and aid in energy harvesting under low-oxygen conditions. may intensify these blooms through increased evaporation and temperature, potentially altering color persistence and microbial dynamics. Faunal diversity is severely restricted by the lake's levels, often exceeding 100 g/L, precluding permanent populations. are sparse, but during wetter phases when dilution occurs, shrimps may inhabit the waters, demonstrating remarkable osmotic adaptations through ion regulation and accumulation. Waterbirds occasionally visit during these periods to forage on available prey, drawn by temporary increases in productivity. Flora around the lake margins consists of sparse, salt-tolerant halophytes suited to the alkaline, saline soils. (Halosarcia spp., now classified under Tecticornia) forms low shrublands along the shoreline, with succulent leaves enabling and salt excretion for survival in periodically inundated zones. Bluebush (Maireana spp.) and associated saltbush communities occupy slightly elevated lunettes and flats, providing and minimal habitat. Overall, remains low owing to the abiotic stressors, with aquatic invertebrate abundance notably scarce in surveys of similar regional wetlands. However, the microbial assemblages, including potential endolithic communities in salt crusts, play a pivotal role in cycling and the dynamics of algal blooms, offering insights into adaptations.

Economy

Salt production

Salt production at Lake Bumbunga commenced in the summer of , following recognition of the site's potential for salt harvesting in 1868, with initial operations yielding 6 to 8 tonnes per day by 1883 through manual scraping of dried lake beds. The Australian Salt Company took over leases in , expanding activities with pans and basic infrastructure at the northern end of the lake. Production grew steadily, averaging 28,250 tonnes annually during the and , supported by mechanical aids replacing early horse-drawn scoops. By the mid-20th century, output reached a peak of 1,000 tonnes per day in 1967, positioning as a dominant national supplier at over 80% of Australia's salt production. Cumulative extraction from 1940 to 2013 totaled approximately 760,000 tonnes, though operations faced challenges from fluctuating demand, leading to the closure of the main salt works in 2000 with limited activity until 2007, followed by suspension until resumption in 2012 with simplified methods focusing on viability amid reduced infrastructure needs. The primary method involves natural solar evaporation: winter rainfall dissolves salt from underlying saline mud, forming that is pumped into 25-hectare crystallizers at the lake's southern end for concentration during summer, yielding crystallized beds up to 7 cm thick harvested mechanically in January and February. The 1,500-hectare lake features an average 20 cm , thickening to 60 cm along eastern margins, enabling efficient collection without extensive pond systems. Operated today by Cheetham Salt Limited, the site includes basic on-site facilities for initial handling, with further processing at their plant; transport shifted from rail—via a dedicated 8 km spur line from Bumbunga opened in and closed in 1981—to road haulage in the late . Current annual output averages around 10,000 tonnes of high-purity (over 99.3%). Economically, Lake Bumbunga supplies industrial-grade salt for applications including de-icing, , and , bolstering regional GDP through employment and export to bulk markets. This sustained activity underscores the lake's role in South Australia's mineral sector, with total historical reserves exceeding 3 million tonnes.

Commercial applications

Lake Bumbunga has served as a picturesque backdrop for various media productions and advertisements, leveraging its distinctive pink hues and expansive salt pans. The lake featured prominently in R.M. Williams' 2019 spring/summer campaign, where the brand filmed scenes across the vast salt flats to showcase their new seasonal collection. Similarly, it hosted a photo shoot sponsored by Unley for the Fashion Festival in 2018, highlighting the lake's surreal landscape as inspiration for fashion elements. In television, the series Upright (2018–2022), created by and starring , utilized the site for key scenes, involving a cast of over 50 people and drawing attention to the location's visual appeal. The lake's photogenic pink landscape has also attracted branding opportunities in and promotion. It has been the setting for multiple fashion shoots, capitalizing on the lake's vibrant, dream-like colors. South Australian materials frequently feature Lake Bumbunga to promote the region's natural wonders, drawing visitors and professionals alike to its bubblegum shores for creative content. Beyond media, the lake offers potential for value-added applications in and health products, such as derived from its mineral-rich salt, though commercial development remains limited with sparse documentation of specific products. Historically, salt from the area has supported local , including management, providing supplementary resources for farming communities around Lochiel. These diverse uses contribute to economic diversification, generating through professional engagements and bolstering nearby businesses beyond primary salt extraction.

Tourism

Key attractions

Lake Bumbunga is renowned for its striking pink coloration, often described as bubble-gum hues along its shores, which attracts photographers, enthusiasts, and even high-end fashion shoots seeking its vibrant, otherworldly backdrop. This phenomenon creates a visually captivating that draws visitors eager to capture its surreal beauty. A prominent cultural draw is the Loch-Eel Monster sculpture, a 4-meter-high and 10-meter-long fibreglass installation depicting a playful sea creature inspired by the , erected in March 2021 as part of a local redevelopment project. It stands prominently in the lake's shallows near the main viewing platform, offering a fun, photogenic landmark that enhances the site's appeal. Visitors can access the lake via an elevated lookout point and a short interpretive walking trail, less than 1 kilometer in length, which provides close-up views of the shoreline and surrounding salt flats while allowing safe exploration of the terrain. The lake's appeal varies seasonally, with its pink tones most vivid after rainfall replenishes the water levels, contrasting sharply with the white salt crusts that dominate during dry periods like summer when leaves behind crystalline expanses.

Visitor facilities

Access to Lake Bumbunga is free, with no entry fees charged as of 2025. Visitors can park at the Lochiel , followed by a 200–300 m walk to the viewpoint along a designated track. Basic facilities include interpretive signage providing information on the lake's environment, history, and , picnic areas with shade and seating, and public toilets in nearby Lochiel, including accessible options for disabled visitors. Guided bus tours are occasionally available through local operators for those seeking structured visits. Regulations emphasize environmental protection: visitors must stay on paths to avoid damaging the fragile , is prohibited due to the lake's high and delicate , and vehicle access to the lake bed is not permitted to prevent structural harm. The site may experience seasonal closures during periods of salt harvesting to ensure safety and operational continuity. Management of the site falls under the Wakefield Regional Council, which oversees maintenance and visitor experience. Upgrades for , such as pathway and improvements funded in 2019, have enhanced trails to better accommodate diverse visitors.

References

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  43. https://thegreenadventurers.com/pink-lakes-australia/
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