Western Australia's Coral Coast is usually famous for its stunning bright blue ocean. But tucked away in its mid-west region sits Hutt Lagoon, one of the most impressive pink lakes in Australia.
Add this candy-coloured oasis to your bucket list - its bubblegum pink waters need to be seen to be believed!
Read on to find out more about this pink lake, and how you can get there to experience its beauty firsthand.
What is it?
Hutt Lagoon is a marine salt lake that covered a whopping 70 square kilometres. Its name was given to it by explorer George Grey, who camped on its edge in 1839. It contains the world's largest microalgae production plant, harvesting carotenoid-producing algae, used in everyday items like cosmetic products to food colouring.
Over the years, its impressive pink glow has taken its fame to new heights, with tourists visiting from all over the world to capture those iconic Instagram-worthy snaps. It was even used in a lipstick ad for cosmetic brand Lancôme, in collaboration with famous blogger Gary Pepper Girl. Needless to say, WA's Hutt lagoon has been put on the map on an international level.
Why is it pink?
Hutt Lagoon's striking strawberry pink colour is thanks to algae that live in the water called Dunaliella Salina. This algae thrives in the lake's salty waters and when exposed to sunlight, it produces beta-carotene, the vibrant red pigment that is also found in carrots and other bright-coloured vegetables. It is this natural reaction that gives the lake its iconic colour.
Though the intensity of the pink colour changes according to cloud cover and tmie of day, it is always at least a little bit pink. for the best time to visit, the lake is at its most vibrant between 10am and 2pm on a sunny day. When it's overcast, the lake could look grey or silver. Or, on a cloudy day, the clouds could turn pink due to the reflection of the water.
How to get there
Located in Port Gregory, it is the closest pink lake to Perth.
- If you're travelling by car, it is a 5.5 hour drive from the city.
- If you want to make the journey by plane, you can fly from Perth to Geraldton in 1 hour with Nexus Airlines. Once you arrive, you can either hire a car or book a tour. The drive from Geraldton to the Pink Lake is approximately 90 minutes.
Alternatively, you can let someone else do the hard work for you by booking a multi-night tour from Perth, like this 2 day Pink Lake and Kalbarri Tour. This tour visits the Pink Lake twice, giving you the chance to see it at two different times of the day for maximum chance of seeing that bright pink glow and capturing the perfect pic for the 'gram!
Once you reach the lake, of course the first thing to do is admire the natural wonder that sits before you! Make sure to bring your phone or camera with you to capture the bright pink hues of the lake. Even better if you have a drone, to take some snaps from above!
For a bit more adventure, and to reach parts of the lake not accessible by car, book a Pink Lake Buggy Tour! This is the perfect activity to see a little more of the lake and learn facts and history from a local tour guide.
StudyPerth trip to the Pink Lake with Nexus Airlines
In October 2024, StudyPerth invited some of our international student ambassadors to attend a day trip to the Pink Lake, hosted by Nexus Airlines and Perth Airport.
Starting with a Nexus Airlines flight from Perth to Geraldton, the students were then taken to the Pink Lake with local tour operator New Leaf Connect, exploring areas not accessible by car on beach buggies!
The day ended with a short flight back to Perth, having visited the perfect Western Australian day trip destination. Check out some pictures from our epic adventure below.
Pink Lake FAQs
The Hutt Lagoon Pink Lake is located 5.5 hours from Perth by car. Alternatively, you can fly to Geraldton airport in just 1 hour, and then book a tour to the Pink Lake, or hire a car to get there in around 90 minutes.
Hutt Lagoon's striking strawberry pink colour is thanks to algae that live in the water called Dunaliella Salina. This algae thrives in the lake's salty waters and when exposed to sunlight, it produces beta carotene, the vibrant red pigment that is also found in carrots and other bright coloured vegetables. It is this natural reaction that gives the lake its iconic colour.
The best time to visit is between 10am and 2pm on a sunny day, when the lake is at its most vibrant.
The intensity of the pink colour changes according to cloud cover and time of day. However, it is always at least a little bit pink.
Technically yes, but it is not advised to do so. The water is very salty and harsh on the skin, and there is algae present. If you do choose to enter the lake, avoid putting your head under the water, as the salty water can be damaging to your hair and eyes.
There is no entry fee to Port Gregory or the Pink Lake.
Bring plenty of water and lots of sunscreen, as temperatures can get quite hot. And if you have one, bring your drone to get those iconic bird's-eye view shots!
No camping is allowed at the lake. The closest campground is the Port Gregory Caravan Park.
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