Lake Hillier

 

Lake Hillier is a saline lake on the edge of Middle Island, the largest of the islands and islets that make up the Recherche Archipelago in the Goldfields-Esperance region, off the south coast of Western Australia. It is particularly notable for its pink colour.

Location: Goldfields-Esperance, Western Australia

Discover

Cartographer Mathew Flinders

Lake Hillier was first discovered in 1802 by the British Navigator and Cartographer Mathew Flinders aboard the HMS Investigator. In January of the same year, he went ashore and climbed the highest peak on the island which is named after him today

Temperature

Visiting Lake Hillier is a joy for any traveller seeking to gain a unique experience and see a natural wonder of the world. The temperature and rainfall in Lake Hillier and neighbouring mainland Esperance has a maximum of 26.2 degrees celsius and a minimum of 15.7 in January.

Location

Lake Hillier, or Pink Lake, is located on Middle Island, the largest island within the Recherché Archipelago within the Cape Arid/Esperance region, off the coast of southern Western Australia. Its latitude and longitude coordinates are 34°5′45″S 123°12′10″E. The lake is approximately 600 metres long and 250 metres wide. It is surrounded by fine, white sand and beyond that a dense woodland of paperbark and eucalyptus trees, which is then followed by a thin strip of sand dunes that separate it from the Southern Ocean. The lake is most obviously notable for its pink water.

 

Vistiting

Middle Island and its pink lake are located within Western Australia’s pristine and untouched wilderness. The only way to view this lake is from the air. You can also explore the islands and the abundant wildlife of the Recherche Archipelago on a cruise from mainland Esperance. There is many things to do and experience around Esperance including horse riding, walking and cycling, fishing, scuba diving, whale-watching , windsurfing, abseiling, kayaking and 4WD car drive car tours. Another great activity to experience is to drive from Esperance the coast, looking out at the Recherché archipelago while going along the soft white sand of coastline, such as beautiful Twilight beach. While walking along the granite cliffs of Esperance you can see the ocean change colour from aquamarine near the shore to a deep blue out near the islands of the Recherche Archipelago. The gradient of the blue is magnificent to witness, especially at sunset off the ‘Esperance Doctor’ sand dunes. Esperance is also a gateway to Cape Le Grand National Park; Stokes National Park and Cape Arid National Park.It is approximately 720 kilometres south-east of Perth on Western Australia’s capital city. It is an eight hour drive or two hour flight from Perth. The unique, bubblegum pink water provides spectacular viewing from a small aircraft above Middle Island. While the hues may appear a clouded frosted pink from the sky, at the surface is actually closer to a clear scarlet colour. Visiting Lake Hillier is a joy for any traveller seeking to gain a unique experience and see a natural wonder of the world.

 

Climate

The temperature and rainfall in Lake Hillier and neighbouring mainland Esperance has a maximum of 26.2 degrees celsius and a minimum of 15.7 in January. The average rainfall is 26.6 mm, with approximately 3 days of rain. February has an annual rainfall of 23.4 mm and the exact same maximum and minimum temperatures as in January, while in March the average high and low of temperatures is roughly 1 degree colder. There is 29.6mm of rain in March. Aprils max temperature is around 23.2 degrees, and the minimum is around 13.3- almost 10 degrees of range- while the rainfall is significantly increased, with 45.4mm in just one month. In May the temperature continues to drop, with a low of 11.1 degrees and a high 20.5 degrees. The rainfall is again significantly increased, with 72.2mm in total. In June, July, and August, the temperature is around on maximum 18.3 degrees and on minimum of approximately 8.7 degrees. The temperature continues to climb higher leading to the end of the year, while the rainfall greatly decreases by December. In total the hottest month of the year in Lake Hillier is February, the coldest and wettest is July, with the driest being December. The Esperance region and Lake Hillier are not commonly hit with severe weather warnings in any form due to its location. This means it hasn’t in its recorded history. It is highly recommended to visit Lake Hillier and Esperance in Summer- preferably December, January and February.

 

Fauna

Some of the most notable animal life within Lake Hillier and the Recherché islands include:

The Recherché Cape Barren Goose:

A rare subspecies of the more common Cape Barren Goose found in southeastern parts of Australia, the Recherche Cape Barren goose is larger and has different colouring. They have sometimes seen on the granite shores of the eastern part of the islands and will allow fairly close viewing.

The New Holland Honeyeater:

Probably the most abundant bird on the islands. Nests can sometimes be seen at around one metre above the ground, specifically the melaleuca trees. The New Holland Honeyeater is characterise by their black face and yellow tail markings.

Siver Gull:

Commonly seen in all areas of the archipelago (including Middle Island), sharing the south eastern tip of island with the other birds, such as oystercatchers. The Silver Gull is the typical gull found in Australia, with a red beak and feet and a partially black tail.

Little Penguin:

The Little Penguin is the smallest penguin of the 18 species in the world and the only one to nest in Australia. It Leaves its nest to go fishing at dawn, returning at dusk, and is found in the Recherché Archipelago and Esperance.

Skinks:

Skinks are the most common reptile found in the Lake Hillier region. They are abundant because of their size and diurnal activity, and most commonly seen resting on top of large granite rocks.

Marbled Gecko:

The Marbled Gecko is often either sighted on the shore line or on granite rocks. They have a marbled skin texture and appearance, which is what gives it there name.

Ash Grey Mouse:

The Ash Grey Mouse is a small rodent found in almost all areas of every island in the archipelago.

Western Grey Kangaroo:

The Western Grey Kangaroo is an introduced species as the island is too small to support a viable population. It has a soft appearance, with a noticeably short snout and arms.

Flora

Esperance and Lake Hillier’s most notable and interesting flora includes:

Acacias (Wattles):

Acacia is a species of shrub and tree that are also known as wattles. There are over 1300 species globally, and 960 are native to Australia. There are 5 species of wattle on Middle Island and the rest of the Recherché Archipelago that flower at varying seasons.

The Raspberry Jam Tree:

The Raspberry Jam Tree is native to the Esperance region. It most distinguishing features include the bright yellow flowers and smell that it admits- which is reminiscent of raspberry jam.

Billardiera:

The Billardiera is a type of small vine/shrub found natively in Australia and at Lake Hillier. They are primarily located around the granite rocks. Famous botanist James Edward Smith named the plant after french botanist Jacques Labillardière.

Eutaxia:

The Eutaxia is a small shrub located inland within Middle Island. The scale like green leaves and and bright mustard and crimson flowers are the most interesting features of the plant.

Westringia:

Westringia is a common Australian shrub plant found around shorelines. It is usually thick and weaving, with leaves with small stalks and flower buds that are commonly shades of pink.

Meleluca:

Meleluca is a type of myrtle plant found on Middle Island. There is over 200 distinguished types of Melaluca’s, which are often called Tea Trees. These trees have medical healing properties and are often sold in oil form.

Eucalyptus:

Eucalyptus trees completely monopolise Middle Island and surround Lake Hillier.

Interesting Facts

– The colour of Lake Hillier’s water has never faded or altered in any way.

– The lake was first discovered and mapped in 1802 by Captain Matthew Flinder.

– It is not know what the cause of the colour is, but scientists high suspect that it is caused by red halophilic bacteria in the salt crusts, as Lake Hillier is a salt lake.

– Fortunately the hue of the water doesn’t not have any adverse effects on any animals or humans.

– The Recherche archipelago is famous for its complex of islands that are almost 100 in number.

 

History

Lake Hillier was first discovered in 1802 by the British Navigator and Cartographer Mathew Flinders aboard the HMS Investigator. In January of the same year, he went ashore and climbed the highest peak on the island which is named after him today.

Organisms

The only living organisms in Lake Hillier are microorganisms including Dunaliella salina, red algae which cause the salt content in the lake to create a red dye which helps produce the colour, as well as red halophilic bacteria, bacterioruberin, present in the salt crusts.

Cost

$370 for adults

The experience goes for one hour and 40 minutes, and costs $370 for adults and $310 for kids. Visitors can’t swim in Lake Hillier, but you can explore the islands of the Recherche Archipelago on a diving and snorkelling experience from Esperance with one of the tour operators in town