Extending Up from the Desert: The Pinnacles, Australia

Back in the Australian Aboriginal dream time, young men were warned not to venture into the desert that sits inside the Nambung National Park, Western Australia.  The young men were warned they would be swallowed up by the sinking desert sands.  Aboriginal elders could see the remnants of past men as their fingers were stretching high out of the yellow desert sand.  Reaching up to be saved from the Pinnacles Desert.

Learning about the Pinnacles Desert, WA in the Pinnacles Discovery Centre

Whilst we now know that this is just mythology, scientists have yet to agree on how was the Pinnacles Desert formed.

What the scientists do agree on is that the Pinnacles Desert was formed over 500 000 years ago.  As the winds blew the shifting desert and beach sands, the Pinnacles were uncovered and recovered, the most recent uncovering being only a few hundred years ago.  Back when only Indigenous Australian Aboriginals lived on the continent.

In the Discovery Centre, a historical timeline of the Pinnacles Desert is provided along with theories on how the Pinnacles were formed.  There’s also a little shop if you want to buy a souvenir.

Europeans settled in Western Australia in 1829.  Yet it is not until 1934 that the Pinnacles are made mention of in public records.  It then took until the 1960’s for the area to become popular with holidaymakers and in 1968 it was made a national park – the Nambung National Park (Indigenous for windy or crooked).

Today the Australian Pinnacles is a popular destination for a weekend getaway from Perth – only a two-hour drive.  Or a stop during a long road trip, up the West Coast of Australia.  See below for details on where are the Pinnacles located and how to drive from Perth to Nambung National Park.

We are on a long weekend getaway staying in Cervantes (the closest town) at the RAC Cervantes Holiday Park with our main goal being to explore the Pinnacles Desert.

Exploring the Pinnacles Desert, WA

Having driven a mere ten minutes from the nearby town of Cervantes, we turn off the Indian Ocean Drive.  Making our way inland on the narrow road through the native shrubs (that in Spring will be a carpet of pink, yellow and white) we line up at the entrance station.

We stop, pay our $12 (June 2017) per vehicle Pinnacles Desert entrance fee and are advised to:

• Follow the marked dirt road which is suitable for two-wheel drive
• Park in the car bays only
• We are welcome to walk about the Pinnacles Desert
• Not to climb on the Pinnacles Desert
• The Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre is included in the cost.

We drive onto the yellow desert sand following the small limestone rocks that mark the 4km one-way Pinnacles drive loop.  It is almost as if the large tall striking limestone pillars have replaced the plant life.  Driving very slowly we eventually find a parking area with a free bay.  With our car parked, we set out to explore this barren landscape.

Feeling as though we have travelled to another world, we wonder why the Pinnacles have never been used as the backdrop for a movie?  It would make the perfect alien planet.

Each Pinnacle is different from the next.  One is a column, another a chair, some are phallic symbols, others are like masks and a few are like groups of people.

Some are small and squat, while others are taller than two metres.

Halfway through the loop is the lookout – well worth a stop.  From the top, we see how vast the Pinnacles Desert really is – a total of 17 487 hectares.

With its stunning views inland and out to sea.

It is all quite impressive, little wonder why Tourism Western Australian lists it as one of WA’s top ten natural wonders.  How lucky are we, that people are no longer scared to visit the “sinking sands”, instead able to experience this unique landscape?

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Top Trip Tips: Visiting the Pinnacles Desert, Western Australia

Website

• Nambung National Park
• Tourism Western Australian’s “top ten natural wonders”

Location

• The Pinnacles are located within the Nambung National Park along West Australia’s coral coast.  The distance from Perth to Pinnacles Desert is approximately a two-hour drive north of the CBD or ten minutes south of Cervantes town.
• You will either need your own car to drive into and around the Pinnacles or book a tour from Perth.
  • Viator* and Klook* offer a range of tour options
  • If you do hire a car don’t forget to hire car seats for the kids

Entrance Fees

The Pinnacles Desert entrance fee is:

• $15/car (up to 12 people) valid for the entire day (as at 1 September 2019).
• Discounts for pensioners are available
• If you are towing your caravan or trailer you will need to leave it in the car park whilst you drive the unpaved loop.
• No pets allowed.  Pets are not allowed in any West Australian national parks.

Opening Hours

The Pinnacles Desert opening hours are:

• The Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre is open 9:30-4:30 pm.
• You are welcome to come for sunrise and sunset, please pay at the honour box.

Where to Stay

• The closest town to the Pinnacles is Cervantes.
• We stayed at the RAC Cervantes Holiday Park * (read my review of the RAC Cervantes Holiday Park HERE).  There is also the Cervantes Motel* and The Cervantes Edge Resort*.
• You can book these and more through Wotif

Learn More about Western Australia

• Discover more things to do in Cervantes
• Whilst in the region you may also like to explore the ancient living fossils at Lake Thetis
• Find more information on exploring Western Australia
  • All our Western Australia travel blog inspirations
• Or read one of these West Australian travel guides*

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DISCLOSURE:

• We paid our own entry costs
  • Learn how we save for travel
• Affiliate links* with Book Depository and Klook and Hire for Baby and Wotif
  • This means I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase using this link, however it does not cost you any extra to purchase through these links.
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