Pink Lake (Hutt Lagoon) at Port Gregory
The Pink Lake (Hutt Lagoon) at Port Gregory is an iconic sight along the Coral Coast Highway.
Located just over 1 hours' drive north of Geraldton or 40 minutes south of Kalbarri, Port Gregory is a scenic fishing village encircled by 5km of exposed coral reef. The village is located near the mouth of the Hutt River, and was originally developed to serve the Geraldine Mine at the Murchison River - the first site for mining in Western Australia! Today, Port Gregory is a popular holiday destination for fishing and diving. A pinkish, garnet sand is found around the mouth of the Hutt River, which is a popular spot for picnicking, kayaking and pelican spotting.
Lying mere metres from the village, Hutt Lagoon covers roughly 70 square kilometres, with most of the lagoon lying a few metres below sea level. It is separated from the Indian Ocean by a beach barrier ridge and barrier dune system. Similar to Lake MacLeod (40km north of Carnarvon), Hutt Lagoon is fed by marine waters through springs.
Nearby, tucked away at the foot of rolling hills in Port Gregory, is the Lynton Convict Hiring Station's stone buildings which once housed convicts who worked on the Geraldine mine and local pastoral stations. The convict facilities were built in 1853, and some of the buildings have been carefully restored. Stop by on your way to or from Pink Lake to stretch your legs and learn about the history of the station through informative signage. Cross over the fence at the stile and follow the path to the top of the hill for panoramic views.
Why is it pink?
Hutt Lagoon boasts a pink hue created by the presence of carotenoid-producing algae, Dunaliella salina, which is a source of beta-carotene; a food-colouring agent; and a source of Vitamin A.
Australians will know of Hutt Lagoon from various fashion shoots, including Lancôme’s Life is Beautiful campaign and Myer’s Jennifer Hawkins Summer collection
When should I visit?
The lake's colour changes through the spectrum of red to bubblegum pink to lilac purple, depending on the time of day, season (time of year) and amount of cloud cover when you visit. The best time of day to visit is typically in the middle of the day, when the sun is high.
How do I access the lake?
Hutt Lagoon at Port Gregory is just over 1 hour north of Geraldton, and 45 minutes south of Kalbarri. It can be easily accessed via road, sitting between Port Gregory Road and George Grey Drive. There is a dedicated (unsealed) Pink Lake Lookout on Port Gregory Road, where you can safely pull off the road, park your car and get out to explore. Alternatively, if you are stopping along George Grey Drive, make sure you allow yourself time to safely pull over at a suitable place and park off the road. Have your camera ready and fully charged, as there are plenty of photo opportunities!
There are also multiple tour options to see and explore the lake.
- Enjoy spectacular aerial views of the lake on a scenic flight from Geraldton or Kalbarri
- Join a guided buggy tour from Port Gregory to see the lake and explore the surrounding coastline
- Join a guided coach tour from Geraldton or Kalbarri to see and learn about the lake from the ground.
Pink Lake Tours
Jump in the side-by-side buggy to explore the Port Gregory coastline and climb the sand dunes to an elevated view of the Pink Lake. On the way back, …
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