Western Australia is filled with natural beauty whether it’s the beaches in Esperance or the gorgeous Rottnest Island. Hutt Lagoon Pink Lake near Kalbarri is one of the best pink lakes in Australia. It is Western Australia’s treasure and most unique natural wonder that has been made a lot more popular in the last few years, all thanks to Instagram. It is also a top tourist destination for people visiting the coral coast highway.
Hutt Lagoon is a 70-square-kilometer salt lake located north of the mouth of the Hutt River, separated from the Indian Ocean by a beach barrier ridge and barrier dune system. Due to the lagoon’s position below sea level, seawater seeps into it year-round through a beach barrier ridge, while freshwater comes in from nearby springs.
The official name of Hutt Lagoon was given by explorer George Grey who camped on its edge in 1839. Visiting Pink Lake is absolutely free, so there is no reason you should miss seeing this place when you are in WA.
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How to Get to Hutt Lagoon Pink Lake?
Located 515 km north of Perth, this picturesque lake is easy to get to if you don’t mind the driving hours but it is best visited during a road trip from Perth to Kalbarri or during a trip to Geraldton. Take the state route 60 for a scenic route along the Indian Ocean Drive.
If you are visiting Hutt Lagoon during the weekend for a holiday then the coastal fishing town of Geraldton is a good base for visiting the pink lake as it has cafes and accommodation options. It is approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes north of Perth and it just takes around 1 hr from Geraldton to visit Hutt lagoon.
If you are visiting pink lake Hutt lagoon from Kalbarri, then it is just a 30 min drive and you will be able to see the colors from far. Since it’s imperative to have a vehicle in order to make the most of your trip to this beautiful lake, you can hire a vehicle in case you don’t have one.
TRAVEL TIP: To avoid driving long hours from Perth to Geraldton, make a quick spot at Jurien Bay to stretch those legs, refuel and see the old Jurien Bay Jetty.
DRIVING TIP: Australia is famous for its native wild animals, the Kangaroos which are particularly active during dusk and dawn. If you are driving during these hours, make sure to stay alert and have eyes on the road at all times. It’s not uncommon for them to jump on the road in order to cross and they get hit many times by vehicles that can cause severe damage to your car, the animal, and yourself.
Best Time to visit Hutt Lagoon
Hutt Lagoon Pink Lake is mesmerizing year-round as the characteristic pink tones can be seen all the time, however, the intensity of the pink color will vary with the time of the year. Some months it would be bright pink, the other bubble gum pink and sometimes you can even see it in red color. The intensity of colors depends on the water level and time of the day.
Time of the day is the most important factor as the lake is at its most vivid when the sky is clear and the sun is overhead. I would recommend visiting between 10 am and 2 pm when the sun is high as the overhead sun will bring out the impressive shades and the shadow will be small.
Even if you visit on a cloudy day, the lake would still be pink but not the most vibrant. It would be more bubblegum pink or pale pink. This could be the case in the winter months when the sky is mostly cloudy but the water level will be up.
However, during the months of Late August – September, the weather would be good with most chances of being sunny and water level apt to see the lake in its full glory. During the summer months, the lake dries up, and the salt crystallizes leaving the whole lake area white.
Why is the Hutt Lagoon Pink?
Hutt Lagoon is a salt lake with a pink and red hue due to the presence of the carotenoid-producing algae, Dunaliella salina, which is a source of beta-carotene, used as a food-coloring agent and source of Vit A in cosmetics and supplements. The lagoon contains the world’s largest microalgae production plant. Hutt Lagoon is always pink but the intensity of the color depends upon the amount of this algae present.
Can you Swim in Hutt Lagoon?
This is the second most important question for most people after what makes Hutt lagoon pink. Well, technically there is no sign that says entering the lake or swimming in the lake is not allowed. Dunaliella salina alga is completely harmless and causes no damage or harm to the skin but I would still advise you not to swim here.
The salt crystals are sharp and if it cuts you then it would sting a lot so it’s better to stay safe. For pictures, you can go a little further into the lake and that should be enough.
What to bring to Pink Lake?
While visiting the pink lake, make sure to bring some water as there is none on the sight, a camera (that goes without saying), and a drone (if you have one).
- SUNSCREEN – As the best time to see the lake is midday on a clear sunny day, make sure to apply sunscreen as the sun’s rays
- REEF BOOTS – Since the lake is high in salinity, the bed of the lake is made of salt crystals that are really sharp. If you are going into the lake for pictures or even if you are standing outside, make sure to wear crocs or reef boots to protect your feet from any kind of cut that the salt crystals can give you.
- EXTRA PAIR OF CLOTHES – An extra pair of clothes or swimsuit is optional but it would be best because the saline water will leave salt residue on your legs if you will go in the water and even the tiniest splash will leave salt on clothes that can be itchy. It would be good for the skin to wipe the salt residue and change into clean clothes.
- PROPS – If you are after some really amazing shots, I suggest bringing some props like floaties that will enhance your pictures.
What is the best way to see Pink Lake Kalbarri?
The beauty of Pink Lake is unparallel no matter where you see it from. Most people see Hutt Lagoon from the ground level for obvious reasons but the best views are from above, via chartered flights. There are a few companies that provide scenic air tours.
A Hutt lagoon scenic flight from Kalbarri airport with informative commentary takes you on an unforgettable adventure where you get to see the amazing coastal cliffs of Kalbarri and the gorges before you fly over the pink lake. The otherwordly view from above and the contrast of blue and pink looks spectacular and will certainly leave you in awe. Book your flight here.
Geraldton Air Charter also offers scenic flights from Geraldton to Pink lake along with many different tours. You can also combine it with the full-day tour of the Abrolhos Islands for an epic day trip.
I would still recommend visiting it from ground level, walking along the lake to see the pink water as far as eyes can see. There are a number of places to stop and view this natural phenomenon along Port Gregory Road and there is also a viewpoint known as Pink Lake Lookout where you can park the car.
Hutt Lagoon Accommodation Options
Geraldton is the most convenient location to find accommodation for an overnight stay or for the weekend otherwise Kalbarri is the best since it’s only 30 mins away from Hutt lagoon. There are several options in Geraldton ranging from budget to mid-range to luxury. To check out the accommodation options and latest prices, click here.
Geraldton Backpackers is the best value for money option for budget travelers and comes with free parking too.
Kalbarri has a lot of accommodation options and many of them are amazing. For the options in Kalbarri, check out here.
Final Thoughts
There is no second thought that whenever in WA, you can’t miss seeing the beauty of Pink lake. It is truly a spectacular spot that will make you go in awe every time you will look at it. Even if you have seen a pink lake before, you shouldn’t miss it as there is no such thing as seeing a pink lake again. The beauty of every pink lake is different and depends on the surrounding, so it’s a must-visit spot.
Another bonus is that you can also see the incredible gorges at Kalbarri National Park if you are willing to extend the road trip for some more days. In case, if you love road trips then check out this bucket list road trip from Perth to Esperance. There are enough things to do in Esperance to keep you busy.
Happy travels,
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