Lake Hillier is a striking pink lake located on Middle Island, the largest of the islands in the Recherche Archipelago, off the coast of Western Australia.
Key Details
Location: Middle Island, Goldfields-Esperance region, Western Australia. It is situated about 130 kilometers east of the coastal town of Esperance.
Size: The lake is about 600 meters (2,000 feet) long and 250 meters (820 feet) wide, with a surface area of about 15 hectares (37 acres).
Appearance: The most notable feature is its vibrant, permanent bubblegum-pink color. This color is so distinct that it remains visible even when the water is collected in a container. The lake is separated from the deep blue Southern Ocean by a narrow strip of sand and surrounded by a dense woodland of paperbark and eucalyptus trees.
Cause of the Pink Color
The brilliant pink color is believed to be caused by a combination of salt-loving microorganisms.
_Dunaliella salina_: This is a type of microalgae that thrives in the lake's highly saline environment. To protect itself from the high salt concentration and intense sunlight, it produces red-orange pigments called carotenoids, specifically beta-carotene.
_Salinibacter ruber_: Scientists have also found high concentrations of this red bacterium in the lake's salt crusts. It produces a pigment called bacterioruberin, which may also contribute to the lake's hue.
High Salinity: The lake's high salt concentration, comparable to that of the Dead Sea, creates an ideal habitat for these microorganisms to flourish.
History and Discovery
European Discovery: Lake Hillier was first documented by European explorers in 1802. British navigator and cartographer Matthew Flinders observed the lake from the island's highest peak and recorded its "rose colour" in his journal.
Naming: Flinders later named the lake after William Hillier, a crew member who died of dysentery during the expedition.
Salt Mining: For a brief period in the late 19th century, the lake was a site for commercial salt mining, but this was abandoned after about a year.
Protected Area: The lake is now part of the Recherche Archipelago Nature Reserve, a protected area.
Visitor Information
Access: Due to its remote location on a protected island, Lake Hillier is not easily accessible. The most common way to view it is via scenic flights that depart from Esperance. These tours provide the best va
ntage point to appreciate the stunning contrast between the pink lake and the blue ocean.
On-Island Access: While some boat tours may offer limited access to Middle Island, direct access to the lake is often restricted to preserve its fragile ecosystem.
Swimming: Although the lake is safe for swimming, public access for swimming is not permitted.
