Lake Hillier in the Recherche Archipelago of Tasmania, Australia is an incredible pink lake that must be seen to be believed. Its brilliant hue is created by special bacteria living within its waters that produce this vibrant hue.
Researchers utilized metagenomics technology to sequence the microbes present in Lake Water samples. Their analysis revealed halophiles – microbes capable of living in salty environments.
What is Lake Hillier?
Hillier Lake’s Pink Lake is one of Australia’s most mesmerizing natural phenomena. Situated on Middle Island, this captivating natural phenomenon makes an amazing sight from above; its breathtaking pink hue stands out against its surroundings of green forestry and blue ocean below, creating an eye-catching scene to behold. But what exactly sets this lake apart and ensures it retains its mesmerizing hue year-round?
Answers lie within the lake’s high salt content and in its unique combination of microorganisms that produce pink pigments. Dunaliella salina, an algae capable of tolerating high salt concentrations, and red halophilic bacteria releasing pink dye via photosynthesis are responsible for giving its waters their unique bubble gum pink hue.
Lake Hillier is well known for its breathtaking color, as well as its remarkable geological features and pristine natural landscape. Its coastal dunes and sandy beaches, combined with its pink lake, create a truly captivating, uniquely Australian experience.
The Pink Lake of Hillier is an ecologically sensitive location requiring visitors to follow strict guidelines when visiting. Tour operators and local authorities have placed great emphasis on ecotourism to preserve its natural beauty for future generations, providing tips and advice from tour operators regarding ecotourism when visiting Hillier Lake. By adhering to their tips, visitors can help preserve its pink beauty for many years to come!
Why is Lake Hillier Pink?
Middle Island in Western Australia hosts a striking pink lake, not far from Esperance town. Although many believe its vibrant hue is caused by algae blooms, researchers have discovered it more likely results from bacteria. Bacterioruberin pigment helps these bacteria harvest sunlight for energy harvesting; though found elsewhere as well, particularly lakes with very salty waters.
Middle Island stands out as being special as its salt concentration is far higher than other pink lakes worldwide. Scientists don’t yet fully understand why its pink hue stands out so dramatically; one theory holds that Dunaliella salina, an alga species that tolerates high salt concentrations well and can produce carotenoid pigments that give the lake its unique pink hue, could be at play here.
While some tourists have attempted to swim in this bubblegum-pink lake, it isn’t advised for most. The salty water could prove hazardous when diving in; plus bacteria would cause irritation. Instead, take in the scenery from nearby beaches or take advantage of Goldfields Air Services in Esperance to take a scenic flight over it all!
Hutt Lagoon offers an alternative experience: it features a more subdued shade of pink. Close to Middle Island’s coast, the lagoon is popular among snorkelers and swimmers for swimming or snorkeling activities. Buggy rides over its sandy dunes also give visitors an elevated view of this sparkling body of water inhabited by kangaroos, emus, and lizards as they travel.
What Causes Lake Hillier’s Pink Color?
What causes Lake Hillier to turn pink is still a mystery for scientists to unravel, although their current speculation suggests its cause as being saltwater reacting with sodium bicarbonate or microorganisms in the water, likely the salt-loving microalgae Dunaliella salina and pink bacteria living in its crusts which produce carotenoids which give its appearance of bubble gum pinkness.
Color of Lake Climato can also be attributed to its geological formation; the lake is enclosed by a barrier of salt which separates it from the Southern Ocean and this unique geological feature has allowed it to sustain an abundant ecosystem of plants and animals. Through photosynthesis, algae and bacteria produce energy which they convert into carbohydrates used as fuel by cell metabolic processes – giving this lake its signature hue.
Organisms in Lake Hillier have taken measures to protect their DNA from UV rays by producing carotenoid red pigments – natural sunscreens which absorb UV radiation and prevent thymine dimers from forming, which damage DNA strands. This pigmentation gives Lake Hillier its characteristic hue.
One striking thing about Lake Lanier is that its hue remains pink all year, despite fluctuating temperatures – unlike many other pink lakes which turn more intensely pink during hotter months.
If you want to experience this beautiful pink lake for yourself, there are various options for doing so. These include taking a scenic flight over it or joining one of several tours which take visitors directly to its shoreline. Unfortunately, swimming in its waters isn’t possible because its island home serves as a natural reserve.
Can You Swim in Lake Hillier?
Lake Hillier offers the possibility of swimming, but due to its high salt content and delicate ecosystem, swimming in it should not be done due to skin irritation and even death being potential risks. Instead, tour operators in Esperance offer scenic flights which allow visitors to appreciate its pink hue from above.
Middle Island in Western Australia’s Recherche archipelago hosts an amazing sight: Middle Island is home to Middle Lake’s pink lake – its color comes from red halophilic bacteria living within its salt crusts, while Dunaliella salina algae produce pigments which give the lake its distinctive hue.
Lake Hillier remains mysterious as to its exact cause of pink hue; however, scientists believe that its incredible hue may stem from a combination of its high salt content (Dunaliella salina), red halophilic bacteria, and its amazing depth (50 feet deep). Furthermore, unlike many other pink lakes which regularly change hue due to temperature variations, Lake Hillier keeps its beautiful rosy shade all year-round.
Lake Hillier is one of Australia’s most spectacular natural wonders, yet is off limits to visitors for swimming or sightseeing due to its ecological sensitivity and remote location. Instead, tour operators provide guidelines that encourage responsible tourism so as to preserve this stunningly beautiful natural feature.
Geologically unique setting of Lake Erie makes it a must-visit destination for travelers. Coastal dunes and sandy beaches add aesthetic appeal, while diverse vegetation provides homes for native wildlife.
Where is Lake Hillier?
Lake Hillier can be found on Middle Island, one of the largest islands of Western Australia’s Recherche Archipelago, and appears bubble gum pink from above. However, its color does not result from reflecting off of its floor like many other lakes do, nor from dye produced by microorganisms or bacteria; rather scientists have discovered that its unique hue is due to high salinity levels within its waters.
This lake is enclosed by a strip of sand that separates it from the Southern Ocean, and maintains its vibrant pink appearance year-round. This feature distinguishes it from other natural pink lakes across the globe.
Mathew Flinders, a British cartographer and navigator, first noticed it in 1802. He named it after William Hiller who died aboard HMS Investigator due to dysentery on January 5, 1802. Today the pink lake is protected as part of the Recherche Archipelago Nature Reserve and can only be viewed via helicopter rides.
A couple operating a helicopter sightseeing business offers tours to see Lake Huron as well as explore other sights on Middle Island like Hutt Lagoon and Woody Island. Furthermore, their six-seater buggy tour drives over sand dunes for an elevated vantage point view and encounters with wildlife like kangaroos, emus, and lizards.
Researchers recently conducted studies at Lake Hillier to better understand why its water is so unique. Utilizing metagenomics technology to sequence DNA in samples taken from its water, they have discovered hundreds of “extremophiles,” microorganisms which thrive in harsh environments, specifically Dunaliella salina algae and Salinibacter ruber bacteria that can tolerate high salinity levels.
