A recent social media post by a tourist has cast a shadow over Australia's renowned Lake MacDonnell, turning the usually celebrated destination into a subject of disappointment. Famous worldwide for its dreamy "pink" waters, which have gone viral multiple times online, the lake has now gained attention for an entirely opposite reason.

The tourist shared a video with the caption, "No offense, just disappointed," highlighting the stark contrast between the expected and the actual views. The traveler had anticipated seeing the lake's iconic bubblegum - pink surface but was greeted instead by a dull, grey, and mostly dried - up lakebed. The video first showed vibrant images of the lake at its best, labeled "What it looks like on Instagram," and then switched to the traveler's real - life footage, captioned "Real life," depicting a desolate, almost barren expanse. 

 

Located on Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, about a nine - and - a - half - hour drive from Adelaide, Lake MacDonnell has become a bucket - list destination for travelers around the globe. Thanks to a natural reaction between its high salinity and unique algae, the lake turns a vivid rose pink under specific conditions. The "Watermelon Avenue" causeway that runs through the lake is particularly famous, with the pink lake on one side and the darker Green Lake on the other, creating a striking visual contrast. The lake has attracted numerous internet influencers and travel bloggers, and its aerial views captured by drones have been extremely popular on Instagram.

However, precisely because the pink hue is a natural phenomenon that depends on "perfect conditions," many tourists end up missing out on the iconic view. The lake's most spectacular pink color is typically most prominent in spring. Visitors who come during other seasons or when the water level is high are likely to encounter darker - colored water or, worse, no pink at all.

The video has amassed over 800,000 views and resonated with many travelers worldwide. One netizen commented, "I've been there, and I was just as disappointed." Another shared, "It wasn't much better when I visited." On the other hand, some quickly pointed out that the pink color only appears during specific seasons. One user questioned, "Don't people know how salt lakes change in summer?" Another recalled, "I went there at the end of December last year, and the water was an amazing shade of pink. It was truly beautiful."

The South Australian Tourism Commission has urged visitors to appreciate the beauty of Lake MacDonnell throughout the year with a more open mind, rather than just focusing on the much - hyped pink color seen online.