About Lake Bumbunga
Lake Bumbunga is a shallow salt lake located at Lochiel in the Wakefield Regional Council area of South Australia, about 125 kilometres north of Adelaide alongside the Augusta Highway. Famous for its striking pink colour caused by high salinity, algae and bacteria, the lake changes hue from pink to white and blue seasonally. A popular roadside stop, it is known for photography, the Loch Eel sculpture and seasonal salt harvesting history.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a large, shallow salt pan beside the highway that appears bright pink in warmer months and white or pale blue at other times. There is a roadside lookout and parking area with views across the lake, the large Loch Eel sculpture on the foreshore, interpretive signage, and open flat surroundings. Visitors can walk near the edge, take photographs, observe birdlife and view the salt crust, but do not enter the water.
Key highlights
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Striking pink colouration caused by salt-tolerant algae and bacteria in high salinity water
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Large Loch Eel sculpture on the lake shore - a playful roadside landmark
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Seasonal colour changes from pink to white and blue depending on water level and salinity
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Easily accessible roadside lookout and photography spot on the Augusta Highway
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Birdwatching and views of expansive salt flats
History of Lake Bumbunga
Lake Bumbunga has been a source of salt harvesting since the 1880s, with commercial salt extraction continuing on a seasonal basis. The nearby town of Lochiel and the former railway siding developed to support the salt industry, which remains part of the area's heritage.
Culture & Context
The name Bumbunga is commonly attributed to an Aboriginal word meaning rain water lake. The lake is a well-known community landmark and roadside icon for the Wakefield region, celebrated locally through tourism promotion and the Loch Eel sculpture which has become a cultural photo attraction.
Route
| By road |
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