Western Australia’s spectacular landscapes are known to draw international tourists from far and wide, but none are as bright and unique as the pink lakes scattered throughout our state.
They’re weird, wonderful, and make for incredible photo opportunities, but where are these pink lakes and why are they so pink?
What makes the pink lakes so pink?
For some of these pink lakes, the science community can only guess. And their best guess is that it’s all about the algae in the lakes. The exact kind? Strap in for some big words: The common algae are Dunaliella salina and Halobacterium salinarum.
With high salinity (many of the lakes are very close to the ocean) and lots of light — which, of course, WA has a lot of, the algae take on a pigment called beta-carotene. Its colour? You guessed it. Pink.
How many pink lakes are in Western Australia?
By our count, there are four extremely photogenic pink lakes in WA to tick off the list, and one isn’t even on the mainland.
Hutt Lagoon
One of the most famous pink lakes in WA, this lake is located right next to the coast, with the blue of the ocean bringing out the bizarre pink of the lake. Plenty of films and series have been shot here, including international ones — and for good reason. So you’ve probably seen this particular pink lake on one screen or another!
Hutt Lagoon is located between Geraldton and Kalbarri, about five and a half hours from Perth. Given its soaring popularity, some pretty cool tours have popped up that you can book to really experience the lake. And did we mention that these tours take place thousands of metres above the ground? That’s right, there’s no better view than the one from the sky. So hop on a plane, and get a bird’s eye view of this incredible natural wonder.
Lake Hillier
This beautiful pink lake is located near Esperance, and by near, we mean a short boat ride away. That’s right, Lake Hellier is on an island — Middle Island to be specific. Hillier has a neighbour, just called the Pink Lake, which has unfortunately lost some of its colour over the years. Both were discovered in the early 1800s.
While quite a small lake, Hellier is striking compared to the white sand separating it from the deep blue waters of the ocean. This attraction is viewable by air, and you can book a scenic flight above the island from Esperance.
But if you visit by boat and walk across the island, you will stumble across camp ruins occupied by Australia’s only pirate, Black Jack Anderson, in the 1830s. Sadly, you can’t get too close to the lake (let alone swim in it) because of efforts to reduce negative impacts on the lake.
Quairading Pink Lake
This pink lake is just a couple of hours by car from Perth and isn’t quite like the others. Why? Because it’s not all pink. At certain times of the year, the left side of the lake is a distinctive pink colour while the right side remains blue. It has something to do with water evaporation (we think) and is a sight to behold.
Rottnest Island Pink Lake
Okay, so it’s not as vibrant as the ones we’ve listed above, but this lake on Rottnest Island still has a pink hue that’s dazzling, particularly at sunrise and sunset — plus it’s another great reason to visit WA’s favourite overseas destination. Unlike some of the other pink lakes, you can get up close and personal. And, if you get the angle right, you’ll be able to snap a shot that looks as if you’re walking on water.
