I’m calling it – Hutt Lagoon is one of the best pink lakes in Australia. Tucked away in a remote coastal town five hours north of Perth, this stunning natural wonder has gone viral on Instagram thanks to its brilliant strawberry-pink waters. But trust me, the photos don’t do it justice!
If you’re dreaming of witnessing these surreal hues in real life, this guide covers everything you need to know about visiting Hutt Lagoon – Western Australia’s most accessible pink lake.
Best Time to Visit
The good news is that you can visit Hutt Lagoon all year round!
The best time to visit this pink lake in Australia is between 10 am – 2 pm on a sunny day. This is when the lake is at its most vivid level of “pinkness”. Visiting on a cloudy day it will still be pink though – I personally think seeing the clouds reflected in the pink waters makes for a pretty special sight too!
Another thing to note is that in summer the lake tends to have less water in it. It may be more dried up near the shoreline which might make taking photos harder. It does look amazing to see the crusty pink salt from above on the drone though!
You might even spot different shades and hues of pink, or even purple tones in the water.
The photos in this blog are a mixture from my visits to Hutt Lagoon in both April and September over the last few years. During my first visit in September, the timing was perfect because we could combine the trip with a visit to see the wildflowers in the region.
On my second trip, I ventured past Hutt Lagoon in April as part of our road trip from Perth to Kalbarri along the Coral Coast. On both of my visits, there was a similar amount of water and “pinkness” to the lake.
How to Get to Hutt Lagoon
Due to its remote location, the easiest way to get to Hutt Lagoon WA is by driving.
Perth to Hutt Lagoon is about a 5-hour drive via the Indian Ocean Drive coastal highway. You can get to Hutt Lagoon with a 2WD car, as the roads are all sealed on the drive from Perth.
I recommend hiring a car in Perth, as there is a larger range of hire options, and it will be cheaper than hiring in the regional towns near the Pink Lake.
Another option is to get a short flight from Perth to Geraldton and hire a car in Geraldton. Due to high flight prices, I recommend doing the longer drive from Perth unless you are really short on time.
Hutt Lagoon is the closest pink lake to Perth, however it is still too far to be comfortably enjoyed as a day trip. I recommend visiting on an overnight trip, or on part of a longer road trip to see some of the unique attractions along the coast from Perth to Exmouth.
When visitors think of a Western Australia Pink Lake, the other one that might come to mind is a pink lake WA near Esperance. This is Lake Hillier, located on a remote archipelago of islands near Esperance and requires a separate scenic flight to get to. In short, it’s not easy to get to, and because of that, it’s expensive to visit.
Entry to Hutt Lagoon Pink Lake
Visiting Hutt Lagoon is absolutely free! The spot to park is the “Pink Lake Lookout” on Port Gregory Drive and is one of the best vantage points to access the lake.
Walk around to the left to get away from the small groups of people gathering around the cark parking spot. This is the best spot for Hutt Lagoon pink lake photos.
There are a few spots to pull over George Grey Drive for a little bit more of a walk to the lake (and we encountered some big mud patches on the walk to the water’s edge so watch out!)
There aren’t any facilities out here, so please make sure take any rubbish with you.
Pink Lake Tour Options
If the idea of driving 5 hours doesn’t appeal or isn’t possible, you can join a guided tour departing from Perth to see the Pink Lake.
2 Day Pink Lake and Kalbarri Tour (with English or Chinese language guide)
This 2-day tour visits Pink Lake twice! This gives you the chance to see it at two different times of the day (sunset and mid-morning).
It also includes stops like sand boarding in Lancelin, a lobster lunch at the delectable Lobster Shack in Cervantes, viewing the Natural Bridge of Kalbarri Coastal Cliffs and the instagrammable Nature’s Window and Skywalk in Kalbarri National Park. The tour finishes with a stop at the Pinnacles Desert, giving you a highlights tour of some of the best attractions along the Coral Coast.
Pink Lake 3D2N Tour (with Chinese Speaking Guide)
Another popular Pink Lake Tour is this 3 day, 2-night tour with a Chinese speaking guide. This trip includes a delicious lobster feast and stops at the Pinnacles, Leaning Tree Greenough, Nature’s Window, exploring the Pinnacles Desert and sand boarding in Lancelin.
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Accommodation near Hutt Lagoon
If you’re looking to stay near the pink lake, I recommend staying at the nearby towns of Geraldton or Kalbarri.
Geraldton has the largest range of accommodation options for all budgets from caravan parks, motels, hotels and serviced apartments. It is a one-hour drive north from Geraldton to Hutt Lagoon.
Kalbarri is a smaller town, but has more to do for tourists than Geraldton thanks to its proximity to the acclaimed Kalbarri National Park.
This National Park is home to the Kalbarri Skywalk, Nature’s Window (one of WA’s most recognisable landmarks!) and some adventurous hikes.
Where to Stay in Geraldton:
- Budget – Geraldton Motor Inn
I stayed here our first trip to Geraldton. The rooms are dated, but clean and it was very well priced. Just what we needed for a one night stay. - Mid-Range – Nightcap at Wintersun Hotel
I’ve also stayed here – it’s a basic motel but the rooms are large and there is an outdoor pool and pub next door. - Luxury – The Gerald Apartment Hotel
200 metres from Town Beach with modern studio and apartment style accommodation
Kalbarri to Hutt Lagoon is a 35-minute drive. Kalbarri is a better choice over Geraldton if you want to stay as close as possible to the Pink Lake. Accommodation choices may be limited though, you will need to book in advance as it’s a popular place to visit (particularly in the Australian winter from June – August).
Where to Stay in Kalbarri:
- Budget – Kalbarri Palm Resort
Value for money, family friendly hotel/motel accommodation only 10 minutes walk from the beach - Mid-Range – Kalbarri Edge Resort
Centrally located hotel with options for smaller studios or suites with kitchenette. - Luxury – River Retreats Kalbarri
Adult only accommodation with outdoor swimming pool.
Curious to Know Why is Hutt Lagoon Pink?
Hutt Lagoon’s vivid shade of strawberry pink is due the presence of the algae dunaliella salina. This algae is a food colouring agent and used in cosmetics and dietary supplements.
Hutt Lagoon is used as a microalgae production plant and produces brine shrimp, using in prawn farming.
The colour of the lake can be impacted by how much algae is blooming, but it almost always the bright pink colour you see in pictures (no photoshopping required!)
What to Bring on a Trip to WA’s Pink Lake
Make sure you bring lots of water, your camera, bathers (if you’d like to take a dip!), floatie, drone and anything else you need to capture the stunning pink hues.
I also took my reef booties to protect my feet from the sharp salt crystals when wading in to the lake.
I didn’t go fully in because its SO salty (and to be honest, a little bit smelly!) – and we had a 5 hour drive home back to Perth.
If you do decide to go in, make sure you have a towel to wipe yourself down after before getting back in the car.
Please note there are minimal facilities at both the pink lake and the nearby beach town of Port Gregory.
What to Do at the Pink Lake
Other than stare at the pink water and say “wow” a lot…. most of our time at the lake was spent exploring a few different view points of it, taking photos and flying the drone.
For a fun activity at Pink Lake, join a Pink Lake Buggy Tour! This small group buggy tour takes you over sand dunes and to different vantage points around the lake. The local tour guide shares the history and heritage of Hutt Lagoon and the surrounding area.
Another fun thing to do is to go for a scenic flight from Kalbarri or Geraldton to see the lake in all its bubblegum goodness from above.
Can You Swim in Hutt Lagoon?
You can swim in the pink lake, although the water is very salty and it isn’t the most pleasant experience.
I personally wouldn’t put my head under the water – the floatie is the best option here in my opinion!
If you keep driving past Pink Lake, you will come to the very small town of Port Gregory (hence why it is sometimes referred to as Port Gregory pink lake). There isn’t a lot to do here, but there is a small caravan park and a beach you can swim at.
It can get very windy on the coast here, but the beach is in a protected bay which should offer some shelter from the wind.
Final Thoughts
That wraps up my guide to Western Australia’s Instafamous Pink Lake – the best pink lake Australia has in my humble opinion. Have I convinced you yet that you need to see this place with your own eyes? Let me know in the comments below!
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If you need more help planning your dream Western Australia road trip, you might be interested in my WA Road Trips Guide eBook! It’s packed full of 90+ pages of detailed destination guides, essential tips and recommended itineraries for all trips from 1 to 4 weeks in duration. Check it out here.
Wow what a cool place! I love that you flew your drone to get some killer photos of this pink lake! Wow so awesome. Thanks for all the great travel tips!
Oh man, I’ve always wanted to go to the Pink Lake! One day when I get back to Australia I’ll have to check it out.
Wow! I have never seen this before! We traveled the coast of Australia and I would have certainly remembered this! Foot booties are a bonus anytime there are sharps shells or stone – I am not too sure about the pink algae though!
OMG pictures are amazing! Never heard of this location very interesting! -Tay http://www.seauxtailored.com
The color looks so surreal! Like a giant liquid cotton candy lol. Def have to see it in person some day!
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