Four interesting facts before you visit
- This is Yued Country. The Yued people are the Traditional Owners of Nambung National Park. The discovery centre introduces visitors to the area's natural and cultural heritage.
- Some Pinnacles reach 3.5 metres. Their shapes vary from narrow points to broad columns. Harder rock caps help explain why some look like mushrooms.
- Rain helped shape this desert landscape. Research published in 2024 dated the formation of the Pinnacles to about 100,000 years ago, during an unusually wet period. The details of their formation have been debated, so older guides give different ages and explanations.
- Lake Thetis has structures built by microbes. The lake's stromatolites are formed by communities of tiny organisms. They help scientists understand early life on Earth; the structures you see today are not billions of years old.
Sources: DBCA park information, Pinnacles geology, Curtin University research and Lake Thetis.
On this page
Plan your visit
| Question | What to know |
|---|---|
| Where is it? | Near Cervantes on Western Australia's Coral Coast, roughly 200 km north of Perth. |
| How long should I allow? | About 2 to 3 hours for a relaxed Pinnacles visit. Add time for the coast, Lake Thetis and the return drive. |
| Do I need a 4WD? | A suitable two-wheel-drive car can use the desert loop in normal conditions. The loop is unsealed. |
| What does entry cost? | A$17 per standard vehicle carrying up to 12 people, or A$10 with an eligible concession. A valid park pass covering Nambung is accepted. |
| Can I stay overnight in the park? | No. Arrange accommodation or a campsite outside the park. |
| Can I bring a dog? | Pets are not permitted. Approved or certified assistance animals are covered by separate rules. |
The 2 to 3 hour visit is a planning suggestion, including time to walk, stop for photographs and look around the centre. You can make a shorter visit, but a quick drive alone gives you less time among the formations.
When to go
You can visit throughout the year. Spring is a good choice if you also want to see wildflowers: DBCA identifies August to October as the main flowering period in the park. The display varies with rainfall and the season.
For walking, choose a cooler part of the day. The sandy trail has little shade, and hot weather can make even a short walk uncomfortable. Bring water, a hat, sunscreen and closed shoes. A light jacket is useful for an evening visit.
Early and late light gives the columns longer shadows, which can make their shapes easier to photograph. Cloudy weather is still worth considering; you do not need a clear blue sky to enjoy the landscape.
Check the forecast and DBCA Park Alerts before leaving. A general guide cannot confirm that a road or trail is open on your travel date.
Getting there from Perth or Cervantes
The usual coastal approach from Perth follows Wanneroo Road and Indian Ocean Drive, then the signed turn-off for the Pinnacles. The regional tourism organisation gives roughly 200 km and about two hours from Perth. Treat that as a broad guide: your starting point, traffic and stops will change the journey time.
Set your destination to Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre, Nambung National Park. The Pinnacles Visitor Centre in Cervantes is a separate visitor information service in town.
An ordinary car is usually enough for the main visit. If you have a rental vehicle, check whether its contract allows the unsealed desert loop. A vehicle being physically capable of the drive does not establish rental cover.
Without a car, a tour with a confirmed pickup and return is the simplest option. Check how much time it allows at the Pinnacles, whether entry is included and whether you will arrive before the discovery centre closes. Do not assume a regional coach stop in Cervantes includes transport to the park.
For a sunset visit, decide how you will get back before booking. Staying in Cervantes or Jurien Bay avoids combining an evening in the park with the full return journey to Perth. Watch for wildlife on the roads, particularly around dusk.
Entry fees, passes and bookings
The DBCA entry-fee page lists these rates:
| Vehicle | Standard fee | Concession |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle carrying 12 people or fewer | A$17 per vehicle | A$10 per vehicle |
| Vehicle carrying more than 12 people | A$8 per person | A$3.50 per person |
| Motorcycle | A$10 | No concession rate |
The motorcycle entry fee does not give access to the desert loop. The loop is currently closed to motorcycles and bicycles.
For an ordinary independent visit, pay the entry fee on arrival or use a valid DBCA park pass that covers Nambung. Follow the entrance instructions and keep your receipt. If you buy a printable pass, display it as directed. Entry still needs to be paid when no attendant is present.
There is no separate timed-entry reservation listed for the standard self-drive visit. Book commercial tours and accommodation with their providers. Check tour inclusions before paying, as the park pass and the tour booking serve different purposes.
Concession eligibility follows DBCA's rules; being a student or an older visitor does not automatically qualify you. Larger vehicles and commercial groups should check the conditions that apply to them. Nambung has a same-day fee exception for private vehicles carrying 13 or more people, so do not assume a receipt from another park covers the group.
Opening hours, sunset and stargazing
The Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre normally opens from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm daily, except Christmas Day. These are the centre's hours, not the entire outdoor visiting period.
Australia's Coral Coast currently advises visitors to leave the park by 9 pm. You can plan an evening visit, subject to alerts and on-site instructions, but should not plan to remain all night.
Arrive in daylight if you want to get your bearings before sunset. Bring a torch, keep to visitor routes and leave enough time to reach the exit. For stargazing, check cloud cover and the moon phase. A clear view of the Milky Way is not guaranteed by a tour booking or a particular date.
If evening access is central to your trip, confirm it with the discovery centre on +61 8 9652 7913 before travelling.
Driving and walking among the Pinnacles
The desert loop drive
The one-way loop is roughly 4 to 4.5 km, depending on the published route measurement. It is a firm sandy track suitable for two-wheel-drive vehicles in normal conditions. Use the marked pull-over bays when stopping for photographs and leave room for other vehicles.
Vehicles longer than 7 metres, caravans and trailers are not permitted on the loop. Use the designated long-vehicle parking area and explore on foot. Current trail information also lists the loop as closed to all motorcycles and bicycles from 30 September 2025. Check for updates before planning to ride.
Allow about an hour or more if you want several stops. The loop is part of the visit, rather than a shortcut through the park. Follow the signs, drive slowly and watch for pedestrians.
Desert View Walk Trail
The current DBCA listing describes about 1.5 km in total: an initial 300 m Class 1 accessible path to a viewing platform, followed by a 1.2 km Class 3 sandy trail among the formations. Trails WA estimates less than an hour; allow more for photographs, children or hot weather.
The sandy section has a different surface and difficulty from the accessible approach. It is not a fully wheelchair-accessible circuit. Follow the marked route and local trail signs rather than walking towards distant formations without a clear return path.
Never climb, sit or stand on the Pinnacles. They are fragile, and a photograph does not need someone on top of a column.
Route sources: DBCA park trails, Trails WA drive information and Desert View Walk.
Discovery centre, accessibility and facilities
Visit the centre before walking if you would like some background on the landscape, wildlife and cultural heritage. There are displays and a shop, with toilets in the visitor area. Bring your own drinking water and enough food for the visit.
DBCA lists two accessible parking bays in the main car park, about 20 m from the accessible toilets and 140 m from the centre. The accessible approach to the lookout offers a shorter option if the sandy trail is unsuitable for you.
If you use a wheelchair, mobility aid or pushchair, choose the route around your needs and the day's conditions. Call the centre for details that matter to your visit, such as the distance you can comfortably cover or help with a particular surface. Accessible facilities do not make every path through the sand accessible.
Pets are not allowed. DBCA permits certified or approved assistance animals under its assistance-animal rules. Arrange pet care before travelling rather than relying on old online references to local kennels.
Lake Thetis
Lake Thetis is near Cervantes and needs a separate stop; you do not reach it by continuing around the Pinnacles loop. Its low, rounded stromatolites are easy to overlook at first, but they are one of the area's most interesting natural features.
Use the visitor path and boardwalk to look at the shoreline. Do not step on the structures or enter the water around them. Water levels affect how much you can see.
This is a good addition if you enjoy geology or want a quieter stop after the Pinnacles. Bring patience rather than expecting a large display at every point around the lake. DBCA lists no toilets at Lake Thetis, so use facilities in town or at another visitor site before stopping.
See DBCA's Lake Thetis information for access details.
Hangover Bay and the coast
Hangover Bay gives you a different view of Nambung: white sand, coastal vegetation and the Indian Ocean. It is a separate coastal stop, reached from the road network rather than the desert loop.
There are picnic tables, shade shelters, barbecues and toilets. DBCA also lists accessible parking and an accessible toilet. These facilities make it a useful lunch stop, although access across the beach itself is sandy.
Swimming and snorkelling depend on conditions and your ability. Look at the wind, waves and local warnings before entering the water. Do not assume a quiet-looking bay is safe. A picnic or a walk along the shore is a good alternative when the sea is rough.
Keep to established beach access and avoid trampling dune vegetation. Check the Hangover Bay page for current visitor information.
A simple day trip or overnight visit
One day from Perth
- Leave enough time for the drive and a rest stop. Bring water and a picnic, or plan lunch in Cervantes.
- Visit the discovery centre, then walk or drive among the Pinnacles. Allow roughly 2 to 3 hours for this part of the day.
- Choose Lake Thetis or Hangover Bay as an extra stop. You do not have to fit both into the same afternoon.
- Start the drive back while you still feel fresh. If sunset is the priority, shorten the earlier itinerary and plan the later return carefully.
One night nearby
Spend the afternoon at the centre and Pinnacles, stay for the evening if conditions and access allow, then sleep in Cervantes or Jurien Bay. Visit Lake Thetis or the coast the next morning before continuing your journey.
Camping is not permitted in Nambung National Park. A campervan does not make an overnight stay in the visitor car park permissible. Book an authorised campsite or accommodation outside the park, particularly for school holidays and long weekends. The Pinnacles Visitor Centre can help with local options.
These are suggested itineraries, with time left for weather, rest stops and your own pace.
Looking after the park
Leave rocks, shells and plants where you find them. Take your rubbish away, keep your distance from wildlife and do not feed animals. Follow closures even if other visitors have gone past a barrier.
For drone photography, read DBCA's current drone guidance and check local restrictions. Recreational use remains subject to aviation, wildlife and park rules; commercial filming has separate requirements. DBCA asks visitors to contact the relevant district office before each flight. A park entry receipt is not permission for unrestricted flying.
Common questions
Is the Pinnacles Desert the same as Nambung National Park?
The Pinnacles Desert is one part of Nambung National Park. The park also has coastal landscapes and other visitor sites, including Lake Thetis and Hangover Bay.
Can I visit without a tour?
Yes. You can drive yourself, pay the park entry fee or use a valid pass, and follow the visitor routes. Check the restrictions for your vehicle and any current closures.
Is a 4WD necessary?
Usually no. The main approach is sealed and the desert loop normally suits two-wheel-drive cars. The loop is unsealed, so check current conditions and your rental agreement.
Can children do the walk?
Choose a distance that suits their age, ability and the weather. The accessible approach gives you a shorter option. Carry water, supervise children near cars and keep them off the formations.
Can I visit after the centre closes?
Evening visits are possible subject to current access. The tourism authority advises leaving by 9 pm. Check before travelling and do not plan to camp in the park.