Looking for the best things to do at Pinnacles? Our comprehensive list will help you make the most of your visit to this unique destination.
The Pinnacles tour in Western Australia are a standout tourist natural attraction in the state. On a day trip from Perth, you can easily visit these fantastic rock formations in Nambung National Park.
The Pinnacles are unique limestone formations formed over thousands of years, creating a bizarre landscape found nowhere else.
Where are the Pinnacles?
The Pinnacles Desert is in Nambung National Park near Cervantes in Western Australia. The distance from Perth to Pinnacles is 200 km and takes about 2 hours to drive time from the town center. From Perth, the most scenic route to Pinnacles is the Indian Ocean Drive, which runs along the coral coastline with beautiful beaches.
What are the Pinnacles?
Australia’s Pinnacles National Park are limestone rock formations that may have formed 500,000 years ago. The Pinnacles Desert covers an area of more than 17,000 hectares. The highest peak is over 3.5 meters high. The Pinnacles were formed in the sea from shell fragments that repeatedly broke apart, forming limestone-rich sands that were carried inland and created a vast series of dunes. Aboriginal tribes have long associated their lives with the Pinnacles in Western Australia, and these formations feature prominently in the stories of Dreamtime. The Pinnacles were also spotted by the first Dutch explorers in the 1600s, who initially mistook these strange structures for a lost city.
What is the best time of year to visit the Pinnacles?
The Pinnacles can be visited all year round. There’s no perfect time of year for an unforgettable experience to see the Western Australian Peaks, but a bright sunny day is best, as with anything else.
Many people prefer to visit the Pinnacles at the beginning or end of the day as the shadows create even more beautiful views, as the sunset also changes the colors of the Pinnacles.
The busiest time in Pinnacles is usually from midday to late morning. That’s when the tour buses and day trippers arrive.
However, queues are rarely a problem: once inside, the crowd dissipates. However, if you’re interested in taking photos, avoiding the crowds is best.
Things to do in Pinnacles, Western Australia
Upon arrival in Pinnacles, you’ll find a 4-km loop through limestone formations. The road trip is a hard gravel surface suitable for two-wheelers and small campervans.
Caravans and larger motorhomes can be parked in the car park after the entrance gate, and from there, it is easy to reach the Pinnacles Trail. Once you’re on the trail, there are plenty of places to park your car and explore the area on foot. We recommend going on the walking trails at least twice, as you will always miss something the first time. If you have a little time and it’s not too hot, you should also walk the 4-5 km Pinnacle Walk Trail through Nambung National Park.
The trail leads to the Pinnacle Lookout, which offers spectacular views of the area and the Indian Ocean.
Excursions to the Pinnacles
There is a wide range of excursions to the Pinnacles from Perth. Most are day trips and depart from Perth in the early morning. You can also visit other places like Yanchep National Park or Lancelin.
Try the Pinnacles Sunset and Stargazing Tour in Perth for something different. This tour includes viewing Western Australia’s fantastic night sky through a telescope and a sunset barbecue.
Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre
The Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre is located next to the car park. The visitor center offers interpretation boards, additional information about Pinnacles, and other regional details.
There is also a gift shop, picnic areas, toilets, and gas barbecues. Please note that there is no cafe or restaurant at Pinnacles Campground.
Cervantes and Yanchep National Park
After visiting Pinnacles, you can travel further north to see the coastal town of Cervantes.
The main attraction of this town is a visit to the Lobster Shack for an impressive seafood lunch. You can also visit the Seashells Cafe at RAC Caravan Park for a coffee.
Cervantes is also a great place to swim, and you can visit the stromatolites and thrombolites of Lake Fetida, some of the oldest living organisms on the planet.
For a picnic or a swim, head to Hangover Bay or Kangaroo Bay, located on Indian Ocean Drive south of Cervantes. Both offer stunning scenery of the bay and are great spots for swimming if it’s not too windy.
On the way back to Perth, stop by Yanchep National Park. The green reserves are kangaroos and koala enclosures in the afternoon.
Tips for a day trip to Pinnacles from Perth
If you plan to visit Pinnacles on a day trip by car from Perth, it’s best to leave early in the morning.
I recommend you drive directly to Pinnacles and take your time on the way back. It’s best to bring your picnic food and drinks, as there aren’t many suitable places to stop and buy food.
A beautiful spot for a picnic along the way is the Nilgen Viewpoint. This viewpoint is about 20 km from Lancelin Junction and about an hour and a half drive from Perth.
There are picnic tables and panoramic views of the surrounding white sand dunes and ocean. There is also a small hiking trail and a chance to see wildflowers in the spring.
You can drive to Lancelin to see some of the most impressive dunes in Western Australia and go sandboarding. However, it’s a 15km drive in the other direction from the Indian Ocean Drive junction to Lancelin, which will add an hour or two to your journey.
A four-wheel drive vehicle is sufficient for self-driving in the Pinnacles, and you do not need an SUV or 4×4.
Upon arrival at the Pinnacles Desert, allow one to two hours to visit the formations and the Discovery Centre.
What do I need to bring with me to visit the Australian Pinnacles?
The cost of entering the Pinnacles Desert
Stay in Pinnacles
Perth is a vibe, but if you’re just hanging at Cottesloe beach every day, you’re missing out on the real weird and wonderful stuff out back. You’ve gotta head a few hours up the coast to Nambung National Park. It’s like another planet out there with thousands of limestone pillars popping out of the yellow sand. If you don’t fancy a long drive in a ‘clunker’ (an old car), just hop on one of the local Pinnacles Tours. It’s a ripper way to see the sights, grab some mental photos for the gram, and still be back in time for a coldie at sunset. Too easy!
