Lake Hillier, Pink salt lake in Recherche Archipelago, Western Australia.
This body of water measures 600 meters (1970 feet) long and 250 meters (820 feet) wide, displaying rose-colored water that contrasts sharply with the surrounding dense paperbark and eucalyptus forest and the blue waters of the Southern Ocean beyond.
Navigator Matthew Flinders recorded this feature in January 1802 during his coastal survey, naming it after crew member William Hillier who perished on Middle Island and was buried there while the expedition conducted scientific observations of the region.
Aboriginal communities knew of this body of water long before colonial settlement, understanding its place within the island ecosystems of the Recherche Archipelago and the natural features defining this remote coastal region.
Visitors can observe it through daily scenic flights from Esperance Airport, as Middle Island remains uninhabited and subject to access restrictions. Boat tours circumnavigate the island without landing, while charter flights provide optimal viewing conditions from above.
Dunaliella salina microalgae and halophilic bacteria generate the persistent coloration that remains evident even in extracted water samples. Scientists continue investigating the precise combination of organisms responsible for maintaining this unusual permanent hue throughout the year.
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