October 2016
A visit to the Pinnacles Desert was a road trip we did from Perth. It was a day trip with a stop over at Lancelin sand dunes on the way back. A 2 hours drive north of Perth, 195 km away, takes you to The Pinnacles Desert, situated in Namburg National Park. The Pinnacles is one of the most famous natural wonders of Western Australia.
Welcome board at Pinnacles Desert, one of the attractions in Namburg National Park.
Entry fees as at October 2016
The Pinnacles desert covers an area of approximately 190 hectares containing thousands of limestone pinnacles, some up to 3 meters high rising up out of the sand. The variation in colours is due mainly to the soil types. It is best visited in the early morning or during sunset when shadows of the pinnacle creates patterns and shapes over the sand. Entry fees to the park is $12.00 per passenger vehicle payable at the gate. Caravans and trailers can be left in the car park as the loop is not suitable for these vehicles.
o—– The Pinnacles Desert —–o
The desert accessible by cars, has a 4km loop track around the pinnacles. Its route is marked by rocks in the sand that would not allow you to deviate. You can stop your car at the designated parking spots along the way and get out to take some photos or go for a walk.
The sand is hard and compact to drive on by any ordinary car. A 4WD is not necessary despite the desert like terrain. Any ordinary car can handle it just fine and as you drive on the sand, the steering feels firm.
In the background are white sand dunes.
This is about the average height of the pinnacles.
Driving along the Pinnacles loop track, gives you some good views of the landscape. You can wander around the Pinnacles Walk Trail or admire the desert views from the Pinnacles Lookout. The Pinnacles Desert is not really big. It’s actually more like a large, barren clearing and you won’t easily get lost.
A lookout point in the Pinnacles Desert. Ample parking area here.
The Pinnacle Desert from the lookout point. More like a lunar landscape.
Boardwalk to the Desert View walk trail.
Way to the Pinnacles Gallery.
Part of a display in the gallery.
Finished touring the Pinnacles Desert, we headed to Cervantes about 22km away for lunch at the much written about Lobster Shack. We had half grilled lobster, chips & salad costing $38. Very disappointed that the lobster’s meat was ‘dry & stiff’. Nothing to write home about, at least for me.
Had lunch at Lobster Shack, Cervantes.
There are open-air and enclosed eating area.
Menu and prices.
Half grilled lobster, chips & salad. Dry, not suculent.
Before returning to Perth, we stop at Thirsty Point beach a short 3km drive from Lobster Shack. A wooden boardwalk through the sand will lead you to a lookout point. The lookout point offers spectacular panoramic views of the Indian Ocean. People come here to swim, wind surf and fishing.
At the junction turning into Thirsty Point beach (Seville Street), we noticed Island Cafe at Liberty petrol station serves Crayfish. You may want to try this as an alternative. While lobsters live in saltwater, crayfish live in freshwater and smaller in size,
Thirsty Point beach.
View of the Indian Ocean across the dunes.
Couple ready to wind surf.
Island Cafe at Liberty petrol station serves Crayfish. It’s to your left entering or right leaving Cervantes town.
Route from Perth to The Pinnacles, Lobster Shach & Thirsty Point beach. A one way distance of 219km.
Ready to enter Indian Ocean Drive Highway for our return to Perth.
