RHH's photos with the keyword: swamp paperbark

Taken at Lake Ainsworth, one of the Tea Tree lakes, it is obvious in this picture why they are called that. The water is colored by the Swamp Paperbark trees, Tea Trees, that grow on the edges of the lake. It is a popular place for swimming but the lake was closed when we were there due to a problem with algae.

Lake Ainsworth in New South Wales is one of the "Tea Tree Lakes" whose waters are stained by tannins from the Swamp Paperbarks (Melaleuca quinquenervia) that grow on the shores of the lake. We spent one of our last days in Brisbane traveling down the Gold Coast and Lake Ainsworth was one of the places we stopped. Interestingly, the lake is the closest fresh water lake to the ocean in the world, with less than 100 meters separating the two. The tree shown in the photo is one of the "Tea Trees" whose oils stains the lake.