lake hillier Middle Island

Picture a lake of the brightest bubblegumpink sitting beside the deepest blue ocean. Lake Hillier is one of the extraordinary sights you’ll see flying or cruising through the pristine wilderness of the Recherche Archipelago. Lake Hillier is actually located on Middle Island, the largest of the Recherche Archipelago islands and is 11 kilometres from the coast of Cape Arid National Park and 70 nautical miles from Esperance.

The lake is separated from the Southern Ocean by just a thin strip of sand and it’s widely believed that the water’s pink colour is due to the extremely high level of salinity. Measuring 600 metres wide and shaped like a footprint, this relatively small feature has a huge impact when viewed from a scenic flight or cruise, and the untouched islands of the Recherche Archipelago create a stunning backdrop, rich in marine life.

The island is an A Class Nature Reserve vested with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA). Local legend has it that Black Jack Anderson, Australia’s only known resident pirate, once inhabited Middle Island for ten years!