In 1889, Edward Andrews investigated the commercial possibilities of producing salt from Lake Hillier, and briefly moved onto the island with both of his sons.They left after working the salt deposits for about one year.
The lake was subject to salt mining during the late 19th century. The salt mining enterprise is reported as failing for a number of reasons including “the toxicity of the salt collected for consumption”.
As of 2012, the lake is part of the protected area known as the Recherche Archipelago Nature Reserve and is the feature of a recreational walking trail which circumnavigates its shoreline.