Western Australia · Attraction
Lake Magic
Floating salt lake with colour
schedule 1 min read / Updated Jun 2026
Lake Magic is a naturally occurring salt lake about one kilometre north of Wave Rock whose extraordinarily high salinity gives it buoyancy said to rival the Dead Sea. The lake's gypsum bed and mineral-rich water shift in colour through the day and across seasons, turning from clear turquoise to shades of green and pink, making it one of the most photogenic and unusual swimming experiences in regional Western Australia.
The lake sits in a shallow, sandy-rimmed basin at the edge of the Wave Rock resort precinct. Its high salt and mineral content means swimmers float effortlessly on the surface, and the water is considered to have therapeutic properties. Visitors are encouraged to visit at sunrise or sunset when the winds drop and the glassy surface reflects the sky in vivid colour.
Access to the lake is managed through the Wave Rock Caravan Park kiosk, where entry fees are collected. Swimming is popular but visitors are warned not to drive any vehicle onto the lake surface, as cars can become bogged in the soft gypsum bed. The surrounding area is open and flat, offering unobstructed views of the Wheatbelt sky.
Lake Magic pairs well with a broader day trip around the Hyden precinct, with the lake, Wave Rock, Hippo's Yawn and the Wildlife Park all within a short drive of each other.
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