Lake Hillier in Australia: why the water is pink and how to see it

The pink Lake Hillier lies off the southern coast of Australia. It occupies the northern edge of Middle Island in the Recherche Archipelago, about 120 km from the town of Esperance (lake information). There is no regular transport to the island, so the lake can only be viewed from the air or from the water.

For a long time, the cause of the water's color remained unexplained. In 2022, metagenomic analysis showed that the pink hue comes from red and purple microorganisms, not a single species of algae (metagenomic analysis).

Below we explain how the lake works, how long a flight over it lasts, and when the water looks brightest. Flights from Esperance are scheduled around the weather forecast, so book your flight in advance.

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Where Lake Hillier is located

💡 In short:

• Lake Hillier lies on Middle Island, the largest in the Recherche Archipelago.
• The lake is 600 meters long, 250 meters wide, with an area of about 15 hectares.
• There is no direct access: the lake is viewed from a plane, helicopter, or boat.

Middle Island is considered the largest island in the Recherche Archipelago off the southern coast of Western Australia. The lake occupies its northern edge, almost right at the water. The lake reaches 600 meters in length, 250 meters in width, and covers an area of only about 15 hectares (lake size data). The archipelago is part of a nature reserve of the same name.

A dense forest of paperbark trees and eucalyptus surrounds the lake. A narrow strip of vegetated sand dunes separates the lake from the ocean. There are no hotels, cafes, or permanent residents on the island, so there is nowhere to stay overnight.

The nearest town, Esperance, lies about 120 km northwest of the island (distance to Esperance). You can get there by plane from Perth. All excursions to the island depart from Esperance, so the town is a convenient base for a couple of days.

© Aussie Oc · CC BY-SAPhoto: Aussie Oc, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Why the water is pink

The water gets its color from microorganisms that live in a saturated salt solution. One source of the coloring is believed to be the alga Dunaliella salina. It accumulates a red pigment to withstand bright sunlight and high salinity.

In 2022, a metagenomic study of the lake was published (microbiome study). Scientists found an entire community of pigmented microbes here: red and purple bacteria, archaea, and several species new to science. The pink hue comes from the mixture, not from a single organism.

Even earlier, in 2015, another group sequenced DNA from the water and found several halophilic archaea (microbiome report). The salinity is on par with the Dead Sea. Because of this, a white salt crust forms along the shores, outlining the pink mirror of water. In this water you float easily, and swimming is harmless to the skin.

How to see Lake Hillier

The main challenge is that there is no direct access to the lake. Tours almost never put people ashore on the island, so the lake is viewed from a plane (visiting rules). But from above you can see everything at once: the pink patch, the green forest, and the blue ocean right next to it.

The most accessible option is a scenic flight from Esperance Airport. Small planes fly over the archipelago almost every day, usually around six flights (flight schedule). The route passes over Cape Le Grand National Park, and every passenger gets a window seat. Helicopters also operate over the islands, flying lower than planes (HeliSpirit Esperance).

A boat trip takes more time. Boats and yachts depart from Esperance and approach Middle Island by water. This option depends more on sea conditions, and flights are canceled in bad weather.

If you want to combine the lake with other places in the region, check out tours and excursions on GetYourGuide.

History: Flinders and salt mining

The lake was discovered for science on January 15, 1802. British navigator Matthew Flinders climbed to the highest point of the island and wrote in his diary about a "small lake of a rose color" (Flinders' diary). The body of water was later named after William Hillier, a sailor from the ship Investigator who died in these parts.

In the late 19th century, people tried to use the lake for salt production. In 1889, Edward Andrews moved to the island with his sons and began evaporating salt, but left after about a year (history of salt mining). The operation was shut down: the salt turned out to be unfit for food due to impurities.

Flinders himself noted that salt crystallizes near the shores in quantities sufficient to load a ship. Two centuries later, the lake remains uninhabited, and its shores are protected by a nature reserve.

When to go

The lake stays pink year-round, and the water keeps its color even in a jar (color characteristics). The intensity of the shade varies, though, and in recent years the lake has noticeably faded. Scientists link this to heavy rains: fresh water dilutes the salt solution, and the microbes lose their brightness.

The color usually peaks during the Australian summer, from December to February. There is less rain then, the salt becomes more concentrated, and the water looks more saturated. It is better to plan your trip for this season rather than winter, when southern Australia is cool and windy.

Flights and cruises depend on the weather, so leave a spare day in your schedule. Mornings are usually calmer: the wind is lighter and the light on the water is more even. If you want to capture a clean pink color in photos, book an early flight.

© Yodaobione · CC BY-SAPhoto: Yodaobione, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Can you swim in Lake Hillier?

You can swim, the water is safe for humans. The salinity is comparable to the Dead Sea, so staying afloat is easy. But tours rarely let tourists disembark on the island, so swimming is a rare opportunity.

Why is the lake pink?

The pink shade comes from microorganisms living in the salty water. In 2022, scientists described a community of red and purple bacteria and the alga Dunaliella salina here (scientific paper). A single pigment is not enough; the color comes from a mixture.

How long is the flight over the lake?

The flight departs from Esperance Airport and takes about 1 hour 40 minutes (according to Tripadvisor reviews, 09/2026). Flights depend on the weather, so do not schedule dates back to back.

How to get to the lake on your own?

Getting there on your own is nearly impossible. There is no regular transport to the island, and tours do not let you disembark (island access). The easiest option is to book a scenic flight or a boat cruise from Esperance. A private yacht is possible but requires approval from the nature reserve.

When is the best time to visit the lake?

The optimal time is the Australian summer, from December to February. There is less rain, the sea is calmer, and the light on the water is more even. In winter, southern Australia is cool and windy, and some flights get canceled.

In short: what to book

Lake Hillier is not part of regular itineraries: people fly here separately, for a single shot of pink water. If you have only one day, book a morning scenic flight from Esperance. For a more relaxed option, a boat cruise works, but it depends more on wave conditions. To combine the lake with the region, browse tours on GetYourGuide.