The Pinnacles – Desert Sculptures of Nambung National Park

📍 Location: Nambung National Park, Western Australia
📅 Date Visited: December 2019
⏱️ Time Spent: Half day

🚗 Getting There

The Pinnacles are located in Nambung National Park, approximately 200 kilometers north of Perth, near the coastal town of Cervantes. The scenic drive takes about 2 hours via Indian Ocean Drive, passing through beautiful coastal scenery and the wheat belt region. The turnoff to the Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre is well signposted from the highway.

💭 Our Trip: First Impressions

[Magda’s reflections on The Pinnacles visit will go here…]

📜 A Brief History

The Pinnacles are ancient limestone formations that have been forming for over 30,000 years. Created from seashells in an earlier epoch when the area was beneath the ocean, these unique formations were gradually exposed as sea levels receded and wind stripped away the overlying sand. The limestone pillars range in height from just a few centimeters to over 3.5 meters tall.

First documented by Europeans in the 1650s, the Pinnacles remained relatively unknown until the 1960s when the area was declared a national park. Today, they are one of Western Australia’s most iconic natural attractions, drawing visitors from around the world who come to witness these otherworldly formations rising from the yellow desert sand.

📸 Photo Gallery

Highlights from our visit to The Pinnacles:

The otherworldly limestone formations of The Pinnacles rising from the desert sand

🎠 Trip Photo Carousel

🗺️ Things to See and Do

• Pinnacles Desert Drive – 4km scenic drive through the formations (2WD accessible)
• Walking Trails – Get up close to the limestone pillars on foot
• Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre – Learn about the geology and history
• Photography – Exceptional opportunities, especially at sunrise and sunset
• Wildflower Viewing – Spectacular displays in spring (August-October)
• Stargazing – Minimal light pollution makes for incredible night skies
• Nearby Cervantes – Visit the Lobster Shack for fresh seafood

💡 Travel Tips

• Best time to visit: August-October for wildflowers or year-round (can be hot in summer)
• Distance from Perth: Approximately 200km (2 hours drive)
• National Park fees: Entry fees apply (check current rates)
• Best lighting: Sunrise and sunset for dramatic shadows on the formations
• What to bring: Water, sun protection, sturdy shoes, and a camera!
• Stay nearby: Cervantes has accommodation and the famous Lobster Shack
• Mobile coverage: Limited reception in the park area