Pink Lake, Rottnest Island: Why is it pink and when to see it?
Pink Lake on Rottnest Island, Western Australia, turns pink in certain conditions. It is in the middle of the island near the Oliver Hill Battery.
Rottnest Island off the coast of Perth is one of several places in Western Australia with a pink lake. In reality, Rottnest Island has more than one salt lake that occasionally turns pink, but Pink Lake is the one that got the name.
What is Pink Lake, Rottnest Island?
Pink Lake is a salt lake that dries out during the summer months, leaving a dazzling white pan behind. If conditions are right, that pan takes on a pink tinge.
This Rottnest Island pink lake isn’t nearly as vivid as some of the more famous ones in Western Australia, such as Hutt Lagoon near Kalbarri or Lake Hillier near Esperance. Don’t turn up expecting a lurid pink colour – it’s more of a vague hue most of the time.
8 Rottnest Island experiences best booked in advance
- Ferry plus bike hire package. Or add a snorkel kit, too.
- Short Settlement Segway tour or longer Fortress tour.
- Island tour including train ride and lunch.
- Sunset catamaran sailing cruise with champagne.
- Oliver Hill train and tunnel tour.
- Lakes and bays guided hike.
- Tandem skydive.
- Three hour boat tour to the best snorkelling spots.
Why is Pink Lake pink?
The pink colour of the Pink Lake on Rottnest Island is caused by algae living within the lake. The algae produces carotene to act as a sun protection filter when weather and water conditions are right. This carotene produces the red colour across the salt pan.
When is the best time to see the Rottnest Island pink lake?
The best time to see the Rottnest Island pink lake is in the height of summer, when the lake is at its hottest and driest.
It is the westernmost of the salt lakes on Rottnest Island, and close to the Oliver Hill Battery in the centre of the island. The easiest way to get there is to cycle from the Settlement towards Oliver Hill, then turn right down Defence Road to Little Armstrong Bay and Little Parakeet Bay.
You can walk right up to the edge of the lake.
Other things to do on Rottnest Island include snorkelling tours, skydives and seeing the famous quokkas.
Which Rottnest Island ferry?
When deciding which Rottnest Island ferry to book, remember that there are three departure points. The Sealink ferries depart earlier, the Rottnest Express ferries are the cheapest and the Rottnest Fast Ferries go from Perth’s northern suburbs where there’s free parking. For more information and booking, use the links below.
5 great day trips from Perth – make your visit special
- Rottnest Island ferry transfer – with bike hire and snorkelling gear. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- The Pinnacles desert – with koalas 🐨 and sandboarding.
- Wave Rock day tour – with wildflowers & Aboriginal culture.
- Margaret River wineries experience 🍷 – with tastings, caves & Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse.
- Full day Swan Valley wine tour 🍷– with lunch.
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