Discover the top things to do at Pinnacles National Park, from hiking through rocky terrain to spotting unique wildlife. Then head to the Pinnacles Desert, a stunning natural limestone formation in Nambung National Park, just two hours north of Perth. This incredible region is home to some of Australia’s most exciting flora and native wildlife, as well as the spectacular Pinnacles – towering limestone pillars up to 3.5 meters high!
Visit the Pinnacles for a great experience
A visit to the Pinnacles in Nambung National Park is a must for anyone travelling to Western Australia. This beautiful spot is known for its unique landscape of rock formations rising from the desert sands and is a spectacular sight. Whether you take a scenic walk through the park or a helicopter ride, you will surely be mesmerized by the fantastic views.
Hike the 1.2km signposted trail through the park, soak up the stunning peaks and take some great landscape photos, and halfway through; you’ll see spectacular views from the Desert View Lookout halfway through the park!
Alternatively, you can follow the 4km gravel loop trail through the park, which is suitable for both two-wheelers and four-wheelers. Moreover, parking spaces along the route allow you to leave the car and walk. And, of course, the route also passes by the Desert View Lookout so you won’t miss a thing!
Once you’ve looked at the surroundings, you can visit the Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre. This centre has a gallery of stunning photographs, multimedia installations, artwork inspired by the region, and a gift shop to remind you of your trip!
Cervantes
After seeing the fantastic Pinnacles in all its glory, I recommend heading to Cervantes. It’s a small fishing town 22km north of Pinnacles, and it may seem counterintuitive to continue north, but Cervantes is well worth a visit, especially if you’re looking for a place to have lunch or a spot for fishing. The most famous place in Cervantes is the Lobster Shack, open daily for lunch from 11:00 to 15:00. Lobster Shack has several exciting features. Firstly, it offers a wide selection of fresh seafood, which is not so common these days, and if you want to eat a whole lobster, a huge plate of seafood or even try abalone.
Lobster Shack also offers tours of its processing plant, a great way to get a behind-the-scenes look at one of Washington State’s most prominent commercial industries. The tour lasts about half an hour and is led by a friendly local guide who knows the area inside out and what it takes to get lobsters from the ocean water to the plate. The Lobster Shack also offers adventurous guests a fantastic opportunity to see one of the rarest seals in the world, the Australian Sea Lion, on the Australian Sea Lion Tour. This incredible tour takes you to the islands around Cervantes, where you can see these majestic animals in their natural habitat. Finally, the Lobster Shack also rents stand-up paddle boards (SUP). You can also book them online, which is recommended if this is something you want to try. For $30, you’ll get a brief introduction to using the board and an expert to check that all your gear is set up correctly.
Thirsty Point Lookout
Thirsty Point Lookout is a great place to visit if you’re around the area. The lookout offers breathtaking panoramic views of Australia’s beautiful Indian Ocean coastline, and you can even see windsurfers if the conditions are right.
The white sandy beach and beautiful turquoise waters are perfect for swimming – the shallow waters are safe for children and an excellent place for fishing. There’s even a sheltered picnic bench with a shower, water fountain, pet bowl, and other amenities to make your visit more comfortable.
At sunset, the observation deck at Thirsty Point is the perfect place to watch nature in all its glory! Take your camera with you – you’ll get the perfect shot!
If you travel with a pet, don’t worry: dogs are allowed on the beach. The beach is a 10-minute walk from the town center, making it accessible to everyone.
Lake Thetis
If you’re looking for a unique experience, Lake Tetis should be on your list of must-see places to visit during your trip to Cervantes!
Located just five minutes from Cervantes, Lake Tetis is home to thousands of stromatolites – layered rocks created by photosynthesising cyanobacteria. Lake Thétis is one of the few places in the world where you can find living stromatolites, which are evidence of the oldest forms of life on the planet.
Follow the 1.5km looping trail around the lakeshore and stop at the viewpoints to take pictures – although on a windy day, when the water is choppy, it can be difficult to see much. Plan your visit in the summer, when the weather is dry, and you can get a better look at the stromatolites.
Kangaroo Point
Kangaroo Point is a great place to visit if you’ve already been to the Pinnacles and are looking for somewhere to leave your packed lunch nearby. You can swim or lie on beautiful beaches, snorkel and fish here, and get up close and personal with the local wildlife; try to arrive early before the wind picks up. Also, the barbecue is perfect for preparing a feast to enjoy with friends as the sun sets over the bay.
Hangover Bay
Hangover Bay is an excellent place for swimming, snorkelling and fishing. It is protected from southerly winds, and the waters are generally calm. It’s also just 10 minutes from Pinnacles, making it a good option if you’re looking for a place to have a picnic or barbecue.
It also has plenty of facilities to make your visit even more enjoyable! There are barbecues, picnic tables (one of which is wheelchair-accessible), and long flush and wheelchair-accessible toilets. If you’re lucky, you might even see bottlenose dolphins or sea lions, which frequent the area!
Nilgen Lookout
The Nilgen Lookout is the perfect place to stop and enjoy the region’s breathtaking beauty. Located an hour and a half’s drive from Perth, it’s an excellent spot for anyone travelling north or south. There are picnic tables and gorgeous views. Spot the dunes and ocean!
You can also take a short walk, explore the local wildflowers in spring or take a break from driving for
Moore River Estuary
If you’re heading to Guilderton, visit the Moore River Estuary. It’s a great place to explore, with a sandy beach and crystal clear water, perfect for kids to swim safely without worrying about currents or rips in the river.
The area is also an excellent spot for fishing (if you go a little further upstream, you can hunt for black bream) and is ideal for kayaking or canoeing – make sure you bring your equipment, as there are no rental places in the area! You can even grill your lunch on the beach thanks to the free barbecues, or if you prefer to go out for something else, there is a cafe nearby.
Lancelin
If you’re looking for an adventure near Perth, Lancelin is the place to go. With beautiful white sandy beaches, substantial white dunes and local wildlife, plenty of activities keep you entertained and busy in this holiday paradise!
Whether you’re sandboarding or dolphin watching from the shore, riding the dunes or watching the boats come in, surfing at Back Beach or taking in the stunning scenery from Lancelin Lookout, you won’t run out of things to do during your stay here.
Don’t forget that it’s 15km from Indian Ocean Drive to Lancelin, so visiting Lancelin can add at least two hours to your trip (but it’s well worth it, especially if you’re adventurous!).
Guilderton Lighthouse
This attraction may not be for everyone, but it can be a fascinating stop if you love lighthouses and beautiful views! The Guilderton Lighthouse was the last lighthouse built in Perth, with bricks explicitly made for it.
There are only two lighthouses between Fremantle and Gilderton, and this is one of them! Today, it is fully automated and unfortunately, you cannot climb it or go inside. However, if you love architecture, it’s worth a quick stop!
Gravity Discovery Centre
If you have a budding astronomer or astronaut in your family, you might want to stop here! It’s a little off the beaten track, but if you love space, you’ll love the Gravity Discovery Centre.
It’s a fun, interactive, and educational space exploration centre with galleries that explore cosmology and fundamental forces.
You can also recreate Galileo’s experiment from the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa 300 years ago (without tilting it!) or participate in one of their astronomy nights, with a planetarium show and stargazing through powerful telescopes.
It’s the perfect place to show kids the magic of science and help them discover the universe!
Alex T. Brown Shipwreck
The Alex T. Brown Wreck is an old four-masted wooden schooner that ran aground north of Perth in May 1917 during a severe storm. Since then, the ship has become one of Perth’s best-kept secrets, as many of the houses in the Wanneroo district are said to have been built from materials salvaged from the ship.
The wreck is still accessible from a local beach called spot (a fantastic surfing spot, by the way). Remember that the ship is not always visible due to the shifting sand. Therefore, if you plan to visit the wreck, it is better to take your time and not get your hopes up!
Yanchep National Park
Yanchep National Park is an ideal destination for families and nature lovers. This gem of Western Australia offers incredible sights and natural attractions, from breathtaking coastal scenery to wildlife encounters.
The park contains native plants and animals, including western grey kangaroos and native birds. Follow the Koala Walk and learn about Australia’s favorite Aboriginal symbol – how many of these lovable creatures will you see? You can explore the many walking trails, stroll through the beautiful bush, or grab a bite to eat or have a beer at the Yanchep Inn. Adventure enthusiasts can even go zip-lining at Treetops Adventure, which features 16 zip lines and over 70 aerial obstacles. You can also visit Crystal Cave, Perth’s only tourist cave, 45 minutes away.
Yanchep Lagoon
Yanchep Lagoon is the perfect place for a relaxing swim with family or friends. Located north of Perth, it is ideal for swimming and snorkelling in calm waters, surrounded by a beautiful nature reserve. There are also picnic areas, a playground and barbecues to keep everyone entertained.
The lagoon teems with small fish, making it an excellent spot for snorkelling. In addition, the calm waters make it an ideal place for beginner swimmers to discover the sea. This perfect natural lagoon can accommodate hundreds of people at a time and is one of the best places to swim in Perth during our long, hot summers!
Tour from Perth to the Pinnacles
A tour of the Pinnacles is a great way to explore this beautiful region without worrying about unfamiliar roads. Plus, you’ll benefit from the knowledge of a local guide who will show you all the fantastic sites and explain their history and significance.
And best of all, you can relax on the bus and let someone else drive for you!
