Visit this Instagram-famous bubblegum Pink Lake 61km south of Kalbarri.
The Pink Lake needs to be seen to be believed. This extraordinary lake glitters in bright bubblegum hues, making it not only a breathtaking sight but a fantastic photo opportunity! While its official name is Hutt Lagoon, this natural phenomenon near Port Gregory is better known simply as the Pink Lake. It’s not the only one to be found in Australia, with many more dotted around Western Australia, South Australia, and Victoria. However, this is the closest one to Kalbarri and one of the best that can be visited from Perth!
We’ve created this guide to the Kalbarri Pink Lake to help you learn more about this fascinating destination, how to get there, and how to take the most Instagram-worthy photos. And if you’re inspired to visit this stunning region, check out our Kalbarri Trips!
The fact that the Pink Lake got its colour naturally makes it all the more mindblowing to see in real life. Who knew that lakes could produce such vibrant hues? It’s a phenomenon that occurs worldwide, and Australians are lucky to have so many located just a drive away. The Pink Lake, or Hutt Lagoon, is one of five of these lakes in Western Australia alone! You can learn more about the others with our guide to Western Australia’s Incredible Pink Lakes.
The pink colour is the result of the high salinity levels of these lakes, in which only certain kinds of organisms are able to survive. In the Pink Lake, the algae Dunaliella salina absolutely thrives! This algae produces carotenoids, which are the pigments that give tomatoes, pumpkins, carrots, and salmon their colour. Dunaliella salina is in fact farmed on the Pink Lake, which is home to the largest microalgae production plant in the world. The algae are harvested for use in food colouring, cosmetics, and supplements, so you may have even come across a product from the Pink Lake in your daily life!
The Pink Lake is located 55 kilometres south of Kalbarri Town. It takes just a 45-minute drive to reach the lake along George Grey Drive, which follows the coastline and offers plenty of scenic points. A highlight of this route is the Kalbarri Coastal Cliffs, which showcase more of the natural beauty of the Coral Coast. If you don’t want to do the drive yourself, you can book our Pink Lake and Coastal Cliffs Tour from Kalbarri, where our guides will enrich the journey with their local insights!
It’s possible to drive to the Pink Lake from Perth, with the journey taking just over five and a half hours along Highway 1. You can break up the drive and make a road trip of the West Coast, allowing you to see many of the spectacular sites in this region, such as the Pinnacles Desert. Just make sure to put “Hutt Lagoon” into your GPS, otherwise you may end up at the pink lake in Esperance!
The Pink Lake spans 14 kilometres in length, with a lookout point located near Port Gregory. You can park your car here and hop out to see this marvel in all its glory!
Of course, most people want to know whether or not you can swim in the Pink Lake. While it may be tempting to dip your feet in, it’s not advised to swim in its waters because of the high salinity levels, which can be harsh on the skin and damage clothing. However, you can still walk right to the water’s edge and get a close-up view of the unbelievable spectacle!
Rather than attempting to swim, some people actually kitesurf on Hutt Lagoon. When the water levels and the wind are just right, you can go speeding across the pink surface for a one-of-a-kind adventure. And if you just want to watch, bring a picnic along and soak up the action!
If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, you can take a buggy tour from Port Gregory around the lake, stopping on large dunes for awesome views of the lagoon. But for the most unbeatable panoramas, you have to fly over Pink Lake. You can take off with Kalbarri Scenic Flights as part of a flightseeing tour and see how Pink Lake beautifully contrasts with the turquoise ocean!
Of course, you won’t want to leave Pink Lake without grabbing a few shots. Some people may not believe what you saw without photographic evidence! But luckily, you don’t need professional equipment to capture this beauty. With just your smartphone and the right timing, you can walk away with pics worthy of the Gram.
As we suggested, time your visit for around midday when the skies are clear for the most vibrant colours. However, a cloudier day can also cast a stunning reflection across the water that will make for a great photograph. Adjust the exposure and contrast manually for the best results. Don’t forget to pay attention to the little details, such as the salt crystals and surrounding shrubbery, that will give you plenty of playful angles and compositions.
Photographing Pink Lake from a higher vantage point can help capture the vastness of the lagoon and how it contrasts with its surroundings. Find a nearby dune to climb up, but if you want the full effect, join a flightseeing tour or send a drone up!
The Pink Lake can be visited year-round, but there are certain seasons and conditions that will enhance your experience. After winter rainfall, the increased water levels will offer a much greater depth of colour. For optimal viewing, visit Pink Lake between 10 am and 2 pm on a cloudless day when the colours of the lake will be at their brightest. But even on a sunny day with partial clouds, the reflection from the Pink Lake will make the clouds appear pink!
Depending on the conditions, the hues of the lake can range from subtle coral to vibrant magenta. Sunset also offers a prime viewing time, with a mix of colours in the lake and sky that will create a scene unlike any other.
While a visit to the Kalbarri Pink Lake may not be enough to fill up your day, there are plenty of nearby attractions worth exploring! Right near the lake is the historic Lynton Convict Hiring Depot. This is the last remaining intact convict depot station in Australia, providing unique insights into the challenging lives people led here.
On your way to Pink Lake from Kalbarri, you can pass by the beautiful Kalbarri Coastal Cliffs and admire the forces of nature. See incredible landmarks like the Natural Bridge, Pot Alley, and Red Bluff, from where you can spot humpback whales between June and November!
To explore more of the Coral Coast, you can take an hour’s drive south from Pink Lake to the idyllic town of Geraldton. This town is teeming with history and culture, which you can explore at the HMAS Sydney II Memorial, the Geraldton Museum, and the Geraldton Regional Art Gallery.
The Pink Lake is a highlight of any journey along the West Coast of Australia. D’Guy Journeys can help you tailor your trip with our Custom Kalbarri Tours, allowing you to do and see everything that you wish in the area, including the Pink Lake, Kalbarri National Park, and more!
Seeing the Pink Lake is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you won’t soon forget — in fact, it should be at the top of your bucket list when visiting Kalbarri! Have any questions about our Kalbarri tours and services? Then don’t hesitate to get in touch!
