As of today, in season, building toward peak (~December 1). Earth Exhibit tracks the live conditions and flags it the moment it is on.
Lake Hillier is a saline lake on the edge of Middle Island, the largest island in the Recherche Archipelago off the south coast of Western Australia.
The lake is approximately 600 meters long and 250 meters wide, and despite its small size it is one of the most visually striking natural features on Earth.
The water is a vivid bubblegum pink that persists year-round, even when collected in a container.
The color was long attributed solely to Dunaliella salina algae, but 2015 DNA analysis by molecular biologist Ken McGrath revealed the primary agents are the halophilic bacterium Salinibacter ruber (20-33% of recovered DNA) alongside trace amounts of D. salina (0.1% of DNA).
Both extremophiles produce beta-carotene when exposed to sunlight, the same pigment responsible for the orange of carrots and the pink of flamingos.
The lake sits within a rim of dense paperbark and eucalyptus woodland with a narrow strip of white sand separating it from the Southern Ocean.
Middle Island is an A-class Nature Reserve with restricted access, so the primary way to experience the lake is by scenic flight from Esperance, 130 km to the west.
Where to see it
A taste of where to see it. The full map, exact coordinates and the best timing for each spot live in the app.
| Viewing spots |
|---|
| Lake Hillier, Middle Island |
| Esperance Airport (scenic flight departure) |
| + 1 more spot, with exact coordinates and timing, in the app → |
This is the short version
This page shows a taste. The app has the full list of where to see this, the exact timing, and live conditions for 1,000+ natural phenomena worldwide, so you know the moment one is genuinely worth the trip.