Researchers from the University of Adelaide have found a lake on an island off the coast of Queensland that has remained untouched by changes in the earth’s climate over the past 7,000 years.

Blue Lake, located on North Stradbroke Island, has been the focus of research examining its response to environmental change over time.

The researchers studied the lake’s water discharge, water quality and comparisons of historical photos over the past 117 years to discern just how the lake has changed over the past 7,500 years.

"Blue Lake is one of those rare, beautiful lakes in Australia. It's unusual because it's more than 10 metres deep but it's so clear you can see to the bottom," says the lead author of the study, Dr Cameron Barr from the University's Discipline of Geography, Environment and Population.

"We didn't realise just how unique and unusual this lake is until we started looking at a wide range of environmental markers.

"We know that there have been variations in climate in the region including North Stradbroke Island over recent decades, but during that time the depth, shoreline and water chemistry of Blue Lake has displayed little variation.

"We also know that the region experienced a significant shift towards a drier climate around 4000 years ago. Again, Blue Lake has demonstrated little variation over this period. This is in stark contrast to other changes in the region due to shifts in climate.

"It appears that Blue Lake has been an important climate 'refuge' for the freshwater biota of the region, and is in the same condition now as it was 7500 years ago. With appropriate management, the lake could continue relatively unchanged for hundreds, possibly thousands of years to come," Dr Barr says.