Lake Magic: Australia’s Floating Salt Lake

If you’ve always been intrigued by the mystique of the Dead Sea then you might be interested to learn we have our very own salty body of water in Australia’s backyard! 

The natural phenomenon of Lake Magic (and its surrounding salt bath) boasts all of the therapeutic qualities of a mineral salt lake without having to travel to the Middle East - that’s right, you can get all of your floating done in Western Australia!

Visiting Australia's Floating Salt Lake

Where is Lake Magic?

Lake Magic is located in a small town in WA called Hyden, exactly 292 kilometres south-east of Perth and is a mystifying body of water that somehow manages to change colour throughout the day, changing from eerie whites to luminous yellows, proving its namesake 100 per cent accurate.

While Lake Magic is in itself a wonder of natural beauty, it's its smaller neighbour that intrigues us the most. The Wave Rock Salt Bath (or Lake Magic Swimming Pond) offers more buoyancy for floating than the Dead Sea!

Your best bet for getting to Lake Magic is to fly into Perth, hire a car and set out on the Great Eastern Highway to take in the delights of the charming country townships along the 3.5-hour drive to Lake Magic in Hyden.

Can You Swim at Lake Magic?

Can you ever! Not only is swimming in Lake Magic and the Wave Rock Salt Baths a beautiful way to experience this salty expanse of water but you’re also encouraged to flip over and let the natural buoyancy of the salt bath float away all of your worries.

Once you’ve let the gypsum minerals soak through your skin, set up a towel and picnic on the shores, and watch the sun reflect some pretty spectacular colours across the surface of the water. It's called Lake Magic after all!

Visiting Wave Rock

If you’re heading to Hyden, you simply can’t miss a stop-off at the spectacular landmark that is Wave Rock.

The 15-metre high and 110-metre long rock formation towers over in an epic wave shape that has been etched into the earth over time due to erosion. Once you’ve marvelled at nature’s architecture, you can make your way over to the Wave Rock Salt Baths to do some more floating! The man-made gypsum swimming pool is the perfect place to let the healing properties of the saltwater lift you off into a state of deep relaxation.

Wave Rock Accommodation

No trip to country Australia is complete without a stay in some quaint homestead-style accommodation.

Whether you’re looking to rest your head at a resort, drift off to sleep in a weatherboard cottage or get closer to nature camping under the stars, there are plenty of options if you’re heading to Lake Magic and Wave Rock.

Wave Rock Resort

Stay for: Four-star self-contained cottage accommodation with the best seat in the house overlooking Lake Magic and Wave Rock. 

Cost: Wave Rock Resort rates start at $150 per night.

Wave Rock Hotel Motel

Stay for: Charming country-style rooms with all the mod cons for the family including two on-site restaurants.

Cost: Wave Rock Hotel Motel family rooms start at $250 per night.

Wave Rock Country Cottage

Stay for: French Provincial cottages for those wanting some additional space to accommodate the whole family.

Cost: Wave Rock Country Cottage rates start at $148 per night.

Wave Rock Caravan Park

Stay for: Powered and unpowered sites, cabins, swimming pool and playground, right at the foot of Wave Rock and Lake Magic.

Cost: Wave Rock Caravan Park powered camping sites start at $48 per night.

More Unique Holidays in Australia

Australian Castles you can Stay in
Treehouse Accommodation in NSW
The Best Zoo Sleepovers in Australia

Have you signed up to our newsletter? Join ellaslist to get the best family and kid-friendly events, venues, classes and things to do NEAR YOU!