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 10am - 2pm.
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 coach tour from Geraldton or Kalbarri to see and learn about the lake from the ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it pink? A microalgae called Dunaliella salina produces beta-carotene, giving the lake its bubblegum hues.
How do I get there? Fly & Drive: Fly from
Perth to Geraldton with Nexus (50mins), and then drive to Hutt Lagoon (roughly 1hr)
Drive: Drive along the Coral Coast Highway from Perth (5.5hrs)
When is the best time to visit? It is most vibrant on a sunny day around midday, ideally between 10am - 2pm
Is it always pink? Yes - the lake is pink all year round but can vary due to weather conditions (lots of rainfall, cloudy day, etc)
Can I swim in it? We do not recommend swimming in the lake due to the extremely high salt levels, contamination, and safety.
What facilities are available? There are no facilities provided at the Pink Lake, but close by at Port Gregory, you will find public toilets available.
Can I fly my drone? Yes - but the CASA guidelines strictly apply.
Can I walk around the lake? There are no formal walking trails around the Pink Lake, as the main parking spot is on the roadside. However, you can explore a little on foot right up to the edges of the Pink Lake - shoes are recommended as the salt crust can get sharp.
A little bit of history: The Pink Lake was given its official name by George Grey, the explorer who camped on its edge in 1839. Within the lagoon lies a gridded lake system where BASF sustainably harvests natural beta-carotene. You’ll find the end product in food, beverages, health supplements and baby formula used for its health benefits as a source of vitamin A and also as a natural food colouring agent.
Midwest Adventure Tours
Based in Geraldton, Midwest Adventure Tours operates in locations such as Hutt Lagoon (Pink Lake), Kalbarri National Park, Coalseam Reserve, Mullewa …
Autopia Tours - Western Australia
Discover the breathtaking Coral Coast of Western Australia with Autopia Tours! Specializing in small-group, guided tours, they take you on an unforge…
D'Guy Journeys
D'Guy Journeys is a guided sightseeing tour company based in Kalbarri, Western Australia.They offer a wide range of sightseeing tours around the area…
WA NT Tours
The West Coast is our home! WA NT TOURS are the specialists for guided small group tours (English, German, Swiss-German, French and other languages o…
Nationwest Aviation - Kalbarri Scenic Flights
Nationwest Aviation – Kalbarri Scenic Flights specialises in scenic flights from stunning Western Australia, operating from bases in both Perth and K…
New Leaf Connect - Tours & Transport
New Leaf Connect is a Mid West locally owned and operated small group tour and transport provider.New Leaf Connect strives to showcase the best of th…
Kalbarri Seafront Villas
Stay where the sunset meets the sea. Kalbarri Seafront Villas is superbly located in the heart of Kalbarri. They offer a choice of one or two-bedroom…
Port Gregory Caravan Park
The Port Gregory Caravan Park is a beautiful, clean, family-friendly park that is located an easy walk to the stunning Hutt Lagoon 'Pink Lake' and al…
Kalbarri Red Bluff Tourist Park
Kalbarri Red Bluff Tourist Park is where Western Australia's rugged shoreline of Kalbarri meets the stunning Indian Ocean. Kalbarri Red Bluff Tourist…
Kalbarri Edge Resort
Kalbarri Edge Resort offers quality, self-contained studio rooms, plus one and two-bedroom spa apartments in the heart of Kalbarri. The one and two-b…
Murchison House Station
Visit one of Western Australia's oldest working pastoral Stations!Murchison House Station is a 350, 000-acre pastoral station just a short drive from…
Horrocks Beach Caravan Park
Horrocks Beach Caravan Park is part of Summerstar Tourist Parks, a group of local family owned and operated caravan, holiday and tourist parks across…
Tasman Holiday Parks - Kalbarri
Tasman Holiday Parks – Kalbarri is the ideal base for your adventures. The waterfront location provides stunning views over the Murchison River to th…
Kalbarri Tudor Holiday Park
Kalbarri Tudor Holiday Park is an ideal holiday destination with a superb location. It is just a four-minute walk to the beach and to the town's best…