How to Visit the Pinnacles Desert from Perth: Tips & Tours
The Pinnacles Desert is one of Western Australia’s biggest mysteries. Natural limestone formations were formed in Nambung National Park 25,000-30,000 years ago. As the sea retreated, it left behind a bed of seashells. And over time wind erosion sculpted the landscape, gradually creating the limestone pillars.
Today the Pinnacles look like another planet with 17,487 hectares covered in limestone pillars, all ranging in size.
The Pinnacles Desert is a must-visit destination during your Western Australia road trip.
I have visited twice now. Once in winter and more recently in the summer months, and I am blown away by how otherworldly this random bit of desert is.
How to spend a day in the Pinnacles Desert
It is incredible to think that these limestone pillars are formed by thousands of seashells!
However, there are many theories of how these pillars came to be. Not everyone agreeing that the Pinnacles were created by extreme weather conditions.
In this article we will cover everything you need to know about spending the day at The Pinnacles Desert.
You can either self-drive and explore for yourself or do one of the many epic tours available.
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Where is the Pinnacles Desert?
The Pinnacles Desert is located in Nambung National Park, which is 2 hours (200km, 124 miles) away from Perth and 15 minutes (19km, 11 miles) from Cervantes.
The Pinnacles Desert from Perth is a scenic drive along the Coral Coast; as you drive past Lancelin, why not stop and go sandboarding?
There are petrol stations along the way but not many outside of Perth. So make sure you plan your route accordingly.
If you need to hire a car for your trip, look at Discover Cars; they compare prices on a large range of car companies.
My friend Lewis and I hired a Travellers Autobarn van for our 8-day road trip up to Exmouth, and as part of the trip, we took the van to the Pinnacles.
How much is the Pinnacles desert entrance fee?
To get into the famous Pinnacles Desert, you need to pay $17 per vehicle.
This admission fee goes towards the park’s management, protection, and development.
If you are planning to visit multiple National Parks during your WA trip it might be financially beneficial to purchase an annual or holiday park pass.
The annual pass is $130 and allows you to visit multiple different or the same national parks.
The holiday pass is for 5 days ($30), 2 weeks ($40), and 4-week trips ($70) and gives you access to multiple national parks along the WA coast.
Pinnacles Desert opening hours
The Pinnacles Desert is open to the public from 9.30pm to 4.30pm. However, if you decide to do a stargazing tour, you will get the opportunity to see the desert after hours with only a handful of people.
In the summer months, temperatures can rise to 40 degrees. To avoid peak sun visit early in the morning or just before closing time.
Remember to slap on the sun cream!!
Do you need 4WD for the Pinnacles?
Even though the Pinnacles Desert is off-road, you do not need a 4WD to enjoy this experience.
We took our 2WD Travellers Autobarn van on the sandy terrain and were fine.
The dirt road is well-maintained and relatively flat, making it easy for 2WD vehicles.
Although hire cars do say not to go down “off track roads,” this one will be fine as it is a flat sandy track and many tourists go there.
If you would prefer to go with a tour operator, many offer a full-day trip from Perth and sometimes include stops on the way, like Yanchep National Park and Lancelin Sand Dunes.
Pinnacles Desert Australia Map
Pinnacles Desert animals
Although it is a barren landscape, there is still plenty of wildlife to keep an eye out for.
Kangaroos are a common sight at the Pinnacles. There is a mixture of grey and red kangaroos. The grey ones are smaller in size and have softer fur and an even colour coat, while the red ones can grow up to 6ft tall and have distinct markings on their faces.
You can also see emus running around the Pinnacles, which is a really special sight to see.
Although possums are nocturnal animals, you can sometimes see them running up the trees on overcast days.
Be careful of snakes while walking in the bush; although they tend to stay away from humans, it’s best to watch your footing.
If you are lucky, you might also see dingoes, but be sure to keep your distance. They may look like cuddly, fluffy dogs, but they are wild.
What to do at The Pinnacles Desert
Pinnacles Desert Lookout and Drive
The most popular thing to do at the Pinnacles is the desert drive and lookout. This 4.5km (2.8 miles) is a one-way loop around the limestone formations.
The national park has created a road with rocks highlighting the path. Please do not go off the path. Some areas on the road have been opened up to allow you to park up and walk around these mystical rocks.
Although your car is not allowed off the track, you are allowed to get out and explore the Pinnacles up close. Please do not climb on the rocks; they are centuries old, and it is for your safety.
The loop track takes half an hour to 45 minutes, but allow time to get out and take photos.
During the drive, you will see a little car park and a set of stairs leading up to a wooden boardwalk.
The lookout platform is wheelchair friendly.
Along the boardwalk, you will get a panoramic view of the Pinnacles. Thousands of limestone pillars are all shooting out of the sandy desert. It is quite a contrast from the blue skies and the green shrubbery in the distance.
The Pinnacles walking trails
There are three walking trails to choose from:
The Pinnacles Desert View Walk
- Distance: 1.6km / 1 mile
- Difficulty: Easy (but remember the heat makes it harder)
- Duration: 30 minutes to 45 minutes
- Starting point: the Discovery Centre
This small loop track is very similar to the driving track. There is no real path, but you can figure out the route based on previous hikers.
The both times we went, we did a mixture of driving and walking through this unusual landscape.
The Pinnacles outlook track-There is a smaller track and an extended version of this track.
Smaller version of the loop
- Distance: 2.3km
- Difficulty: Easy
- Duration: 30 minutes to an hour
- Starting point: Discovery Centre
Extended version:
- Distance: 5.5km
- Difficulty: Easy
- Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours
- Starting point: Discovery Centre
Personally, I do not think you need to do a hike longer than the Desert View walk, as the limestone pillars are all accessible close to the Discovery Centre, and as the trails are not well signposted, it’s better not to get lost.
The Pinnacles activities and tours
For the Photographers: Sunset and Stargazing Tour
Escape the daytime crowds at the Pinnacles and embark on a truly magical adventure: the sunset and stargazing tour!
Picture this: the sun dips below the horizon, painting the otherworldly landscape in vibrant hues of orange, as you explore this incredible place with only a handful of fellow adventurers. As darkness reaches, the desert awakens with its unique sounds, and the Milky Way explodes across the sky, undimmed by light pollution.
This is an experience you won’t want to miss!
But that’s not all this trip offers; during the day, the tour will take you to Yanchep National Park, where you will see koalas sleeping in eucalyptus trees, grey kangaroos wandering along the hiking trails, and native birds flying through the sky.
For the adventurers: The Pinnacles and Lancelin Sandboarding tour
If you want a truly unique experience, why not couple the Lancelin sand dunes with the mystical Pinnacles?
Test your bravery and skills with the fun activity of sandboarding, with a variety of different sand dune heights. You can start small or go straight to the biggest dune; the choice is yours!
Remember that you have to walk back up though.
After all that adrenaline is pumping, you will stop for lunch along Lancelin Beach where you can have a refreshing dip or hunt for pretty shells.
Then your tour will take you onto the Pinnacles, where you can marvel at these incredible formations.
For the Nature Lovers: The Pinnacles, Lake Thetis, and Yanchep Lavender Farm
If you are in Perth in the months of December to February, why not tie in the Pinnacles Desert and Yanchep Lavender farm?
This little family-owned farm has 10 acres of lavender plants, a gift shop, and a lovely little cafe that serves afternoon tea.
You will also visit Lake Thetis, where you can walk along the boardwalk and encounter the oldest known living fossils. You will see native wildflowers and bushland all around the lake. If you are lucky, you might see kangaroos.
As well as seeing the star of the tour, the Pinnacles.
For the Foodies: Yanchep National Park, Cevantes, The Pinnacles, and Swan Valley
This tour has it all, cuddly koalas, mystical Pinnacles, lunch and sweet treats.
Start off by visiting Yanchep National Park to see the koalas chilling by the boardwalk and kangaroos hopping along the hiking trails.
The next stop is the Pinnacles desert, where you will explore the rock formations.
After all that fun stuff, you are bound to be hungry! Fish and chips are included in the price.
And then for a little sweet treat, you’ll be whisked to the Swan Valley, where you will get to sample the region’s best chocolate, nougat, and nuts.
For the “must do everything travellers”: The Pinnacles, Koalas, Sandboarding, and 4WD day
This tour itinerary is jam-packed! It has all the best things to do between Perth and the Pinnacles Desert.
Start off the day by visiting Caversham Wildlife Park to see the koalas and feed the kangaroos.
On route to the Pinnacles, you will get to test out your skills with sandboarding down different heights of dunes along with 4-wheel driving through the Lancelin dunes.
You will also get the opportunity to visit a lobster processing plant and have a fish and chips lunch.
Not forgetting the Pinnacles, where you have plenty of time to get out and explore.
Perth 7-day return trip to Exmouth
If you are a traveller who is short on time or wants to make friends or doesn’t want to hire a van and drive 14 hours one way, then this 7-day Exmouth and back tour is for you.
This 7-day round trip tour from Perth to Exmouth is packed full of the most iconic things to do on a WA road trip.
Highlights of this trip include:
- The Pinnacles Desert
- Kalbarri National Park Nature’s Window (full hiking guide here)
- Shell Beach in Sharks Bay
- Monkey Mia to see dolphins
- Coral Bay
- Ningaloo Reef
- Cape Range National Park
It includes transport, accommodations, entry fees and most meals. This is the perfect way to see WA within a short timeframe.
Accommodation near the Pinnacles
If you fancy an overnight stay near the Pinnacles, then I suggest checking out places in Cervantes, as it is the closest town to the desert.
Stuck for choice? What about these:
Hotels:
- Location: 15 minutes drive to the Pinnacles
- Star rating: 7.9/10
- Price: $200 AUD
- Reasons to stay: close to the Pinnacles, apartment-style hotel rooms, free parking, swimming pool and bar facilities.
- Location: 16 minutes from the Pinnacles
- Star rating: 8.6/10
- Price: $190 AUD
- Reasons to stay: ocean views, modern and newly refurbished, wheelchair accessible, free parking, BBQ facilities
Campsites:
- Location: 16 minutes from the Pinnacles
- Start rating: 8.9/10
- Price: $40 – $60
- Reason to stay: Has a discount membership, swimming pool, kitchen facilities, and big camp spaces
Frequently asked questions
What is the Pinnacles Desert famous for?
The Pinnacles Desert in Western Australia is famous for its thousands of limestone rock formations ranging in all different sizes across a desert landscape. These pillars were created from sand and shells millions of years ago.
Is Pinnacles Desert free?
Unfortunately, the Pinnacles Desert is not free. A $17 per vehicle fee is charged to keep the park maintained and protected and to help with future developments.
Is it worth visiting the Pinnacles?
The Pinnacles are absolutely worth visiting. As the desert is 2 hours from Perth, I suggest coupling it with another activity like sandboarding to make it a full day trip.
Do you need 4WD for the Pinnacles?
Even though the Pinnacles Desert is an off-road track, you do not need a 4WD. The sandy trail is flat and well maintained, making it accessible to 2WD vehicles. You can also drive your rental cars and vans on this trail without it affecting the insurance, as it is not considered a dirt road.
How much is camping at the Pinnacles?
You cannot camp directly on the Pinnacles desert site, but 15 minutes down the road in Cervantes is an RAC you can stay in.
Final Thoughts
In summary, the Pinnacles desert is a truly unique landscape with a mixture of driving, hiking and exploring. As it is located 2 hours outside of Perth, it is the perfect day trip to get out of the city and feel like you stepped onto another planet.
