In a time before Instagram, Pink Lake was a place that had to be seen to be believed, inspiring Dreamtime stories and considered a natural treasure by locals.

Key points: The pink hue was caused by microscopic algae producing beta carotene which diminished as the salt levels fell

The pink hue was caused by microscopic algae producing beta carotene which diminished as the salt levels fell Salt harvesting at the lake ended in 2007

Salt harvesting at the lake ended in 2007 A scientist engaged to look into restoring the lake's hue says it could "definitely be done"

That was until a decade ago, when the waterway in Western Australia's south-east lost its bubble gum hue.

The unique colour faded due to changes in natural water flow, reduced evaporation, and salt harvesting — a practise which ended in 2007.

But now a team of scientists will investigate how to return the lake to its pink brilliance in a project believed to be an Australian first.

Environmental scientist Tilo Massenbauer said historically the pink hue was caused by the lake's microscopic algae which produced beta carotene — the pigment that gives carrots an orange colour.

"At this stage, the organism that turns the lake pink is still there. But it's not producing that beta carotene because the salt levels are not as high," he said.

Scientist Tilo Massenbauer has been contracted to return Pink Lake to its original colour. ( ABC Esperance: Tom Joyner )

Mr Massenbauer and two other scientists were contracted by the local shire to examine ways to increase the salt content of the lake and determine what concentrations were needed.

"There's potentially very salty water sitting underneath this lake at greater depths, ancient salt water, and if those salts are similar to what's in the lake we could bring that salt up into the system," he said.

Can the Pink Lake live up to its name?

When asked how likely it was for the lake to become pink again, Mr Massenbauer said it could "definitely be done".

"Looking at the early stages of the science, the feasibility is quite high from a technical side of things. It just comes down to economics."



The Pink Lake has been blue for more than a decade. ( ABC Goldfields-Esperance: Andrew Tyndall )

Studies will be conducted over the next six months, then a cost estimate of the project will be presented for approval.

Matthew Walker from the Shire of Esperance said at this stage no funding limit had been decided, and it would be a council decision.

"The shire is looking if we can turn Pink Lake pink again for the community benefit, the ecological benefit, and the tourism benefit," he said.

"It is important to the community to see if this is possible."

Esperance Nyungar Aboriginal Corporation manager Sandie Gillard said the lake's pink colour was also culturally significant because in the past it inspired Dreamtime stories.

"It always has been pink," she said. "It didn't stop being pink for its own reasons, it was due to man's interference."

A tourism drawcard

Australia is home to several pink lakes, including Hutt Lagoon near Geraldton, which has generated a recent tourist boom.

Hutt Lagoon, north of Geraldton, in Western Australia. ( Supplied: Josh Perkins )

Esperance has another pink lake named Lake Hillier, but the shire said its island location put it out of reach for many who could not afford a scenic flight or lengthy boat ride.

Pink Lake Tourist Park manager Mary Noonan said online images and the rise of social media led to confusion among tourists, who believed they could drive to the picture-perfect lake.

Lake Hillier on Middle Island is only accessible by flight or boat ride, unlike Pink Lake which is a 10-minute drive from the Esperance town centre. ( Supplied: Jaimen Hudson )

"We have international visitors that will hire a motorhome in Perth and drive overnight to get here to stay one night to see the Pink Lake," she said.

"We have to tell them that there's no pink lake and they're very disappointed. Others are angry."



Ms Noonan's business is one of several in the area which was named after the famous lake.

In recent years, some have lobbied for the lake's name to be officially changed.

Esperance businesses have been named after the iconic hue of the nearby Pink Lake. ( ABC Esperance: Christien de Garis )

"I think it affects the tourism industry for Esperance in that we say something is here that isn't here, and I don't believe that's a good look on Esperance at all," Ms Noonan said.

Mr Walker from the Shire of Esperance said changing the lake's name would be a "fairly difficult" process and it would "probably be easier to try do this project".

The shire said if the project was approved, it could take years to turn the lake pink again.

But after more than a decade of the blues, Ms Noonan said she was willing to wait a bit longer for the return of the mesmerising hue.

"That would be fabulous, fabulous for the region, for everybody. Because it will bring tourists," she said.



"[Tourists] go out to Lucky Bay and it's a great attraction with the kangaroos on the beach.

"But Pink Lake would be just as big a drawcard for the area and I firmly believe that."