Pinnacles Desert★★
The Pinnacles are one of Australia's most surreal landscapes — thousands of limestone pillars (up to 3.5 meters high) rise from yellow desert sand, like remnants of a lost civilization. Nambung National Park is only 200 km north of Perth and is a perfect day trip.
The Pinnacles formed over millions of years: shells formed limestone, bushland grew over it, and its roots penetrated the limestone. When the bush died and the sand eroded, the limestone pillars remained — each in a unique shape.
Visit
- Pinnacles Drive: A 4 km loop that you can drive through the Pinnacles. Stop at the viewpoints and walk among the pillars. Park entry 15 AUD per vehicle.
- Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre: Small museum at the entrance explaining the formation history. Entry included in the park price.
- Best Time of Day: Sunrise or sunset, when the long shadows make the landscape even more surreal. The atmosphere is eerie at full moon.
Stop Along the Way
- Lancelin Sand Dunes: 130 km north of Perth. Huge white sand dunes for sandboarding (rent a board in Lancelin, from 15 AUD). Free access.
- Cervantes: Fishing village near the Pinnacles. Famous for rock lobster — at the Lobster Shack (free entry, lobster tour 30 AUD, half lobster in the restaurant from 45 AUD). Cervantes also has the beautiful Hangover Bay for swimming.
💡 Tipp
Combine the Pinnacles with a stop at the Lancelin Sand Dunes and the Lobster Shack in Cervantes — a perfect day trip from Perth. Start early (7 am), Pinnacles in morning light, lobster lunch, afternoon sandboarding, return trip. Possible year-round, especially beautiful in spring (Sep–Nov) with wildflowers.