Turquoise Coast: the Pinnacles, Cervantes and sea lions: Perth itinerary

Duration: 3 days, ~570 km by car
Who it suits: Everyone
Transport: drive
Start: Lancelin sand dunes
Finish: Guilderton (Moore River mouth)
Pace: moderate pace
Best time: August–October: wildflower season in Lesueur National Park
Budget per adult: National parks: A$17 per vehicle per day (concession A$10); Lobster Shack factory tour: A$15, child A$7.50Prices as of: July 2026; transport and zoo prices October 2026

Getting there

Go by car. The Turquoise Coast starts well outside the city.

The text version of the route: stops, time at each and the legs between them. Times are estimates, without queues, traffic or swims.

1. Lancelin sand dunes~1 h 15 min at the stop
Blinding-white dunes the height of an apartment block on the edge of a fishing town. WA's favourite sandboarding pit.
Tip: Town shops hire out boards; up on the crests keep clear of the quad bikes and buggies.
Open on the map ↗
↓ drive · 52 min · 57 km
2. Hangover Bay~45 min at the stop
An empty white beach inside Nambung National Park with picnic shelters; dolphins and sea lions drop into the bay.
Tip: The A$17 vehicle fee covers the whole day. Keep the receipt for the Pinnacles gate.
Open on the map ↗
↓ drive · 5 min · 3.5 km
3. Pinnacles Desert (Nambung NP)~2 h at the stop
Thousands of limestone pillars rising from yellow sand: one of Australia's most surreal landscapes; entry A$17 per vehicle.
Tip: Stay for sunset: the low sun stretches shadows between the pillars and the day-tour buses are gone.
Open on the map ↗
↓ drive · 16 min · 18 km
4. Overnight Cervantes
A cray-fishing town named after the ship Cervantes wrecked offshore: the Turquoise Coast's natural overnight base.
Tip: Order western rock lobster for dinner: it's caught right here.
Open on the map ↗

5. Lake Thetis stromatolites~30 min at the stop
A saline lake with living stromatolites (descendants of Earth's oldest life forms) ringed by a boardwalk loop trail.
Tip: Stay on the boardwalk: the fragile domes take millennia to grow.
Open on the map ↗
↓ drive · 4 min · 2 km
6. Lobster Shack~1 h 30 min at the stop
A working rock-lobster factory with a beachside restaurant; the guided factory tour is A$15.
Tip: The kitchen runs 11:00–15:00, the shop 9:00–17:00. Factory tours run daily at 12:00 and 14:00, about 30 minutes; buy tickets on arrival in the gift shop.
Open on the map ↗
↓ drive · 24 min · 27 km
7. Jurien Bay marina & sea lions~2 h at the stop
Capital of the marine park: boats leave the marina for island colonies of the rare Australian sea lion.
Tip: Swim tours leave in the morning and run about two hours. Book the day before.
Open on the map ↗
↓ drive · 16 min · 18 km
8. Sandy Cape~1 h at the stop
White dunes and a turquoise lagoon on a protected cape: a quiet sunset spot fifteen minutes from town.
Tip: Sleep back in Jurien Bay: the accommodation choice is far wider.
Open on the map ↗

9. Dynamite Bay (Green Head)~1 h at the stop
A perfect horseshoe of turquoise water framed by granite: one of the coast's most sheltered swimming bays.
Tip: The water is glassy in the morning: the best swim of the trip.
Open on the map ↗
↓ drive · 28 min · 31 km
10. Lesueur National Park~1 h 30 min at the stop
One of the planet's richest floras: some 900 plant species along a sealed scenic loop with lookouts.
Tip: From August to October the slopes blaze with wildflowers; entry is the standard A$17 per vehicle.
Open on the map ↗
↓ drive · 2 h 30 min · 165 km
11. Guilderton (Moore River mouth)~1 h at the stop
The Moore River dead-ends into ocean dunes: a calm freshwater lagoon for kids on one side, Indian Ocean surf on the other.
Tip: The route's final swim stop. Perth is just over an hour away.
Open on the map ↗

Route times are estimates: walking, driving and a sensible pause at each stop. Add queues, traffic and swims yourself.
Prices, timetables and trail status change. Check the venue's official site and the state transport app before you go.
On beaches, swim only between the red and yellow flags. Use sun protection even when it is cloudy.