A BRIGHT spot on the Western Highway, Dimboola’s Pink Lake strikes a stark contrast to the flat Wimmera fields, but many believe the lake is underrated.

Hindmarsh Shire Council believes the lake should be a draw-card for tourists and more appreciated by those who live nearby. 

Councillor David Colbert said more must be done to harness tourism and promote the lake.

He said the lake had pure untapped tourism potential and could draw mammoth crowds. 

“Lake Tyrrell, in the Mallee district, is nothing compared to our Pink Lake,” he said.

“Some seven million people go to Sea Lake, why can’t we bring them here?”

Wimmera photographer Chris O’Connell said the lake was a fantastic place to take photos.

Mrs O’Connell, who has Ross River virus, believes the lake, with its unique colour, algae and salt properties, was very restorative. 

“I haven’t been able to stand up for more than five minutes without pain for two months,’’ she said,

“We went out there and I was standing ankle deep – the water was hot and since then I’ve had no swelling, no sore ankles.

“The salt is very therapeutic.”

She said not many people outside the Wimmera were aware of the hidden gem. 

“It’s pink, it’s in the middle of nowhere,” she said.

“It looks great in photos, it’s a great place to go out and it’s very interesting.”

The Pink Lake gains its name from the water’s unique hue, caused by a pigment secreted by microscopic algae. 

Each year it produces a bed of pink salt harvested by hand by Barengi Gadjin Land Council and Mount Zero Olives. 

Mr Colbert said Hindmarsh should be making the most of it’s amazing natural asset to draw tourists to their many small towns. 

“The Pink Lake is absolutely amazing,” he said.

“There are always people pulling up to take photos.

“Why can’t we get the tours Lake Tyrrell has?”

Director of Corporate and Community Services Anne Champness said Lake Tyrrell gained its massive popularity through word-of-mouth which spread rapidly.

She said council promoted the lake through social media, partnership with tourism associations and caravan shows.

Ms Champness said it was difficult to recreate the massive influx Lake Tyrrell had seen because it was an unusually quick phenomenon.