- Duration
- ~430 km round trip by car, 11–12 hours (≈ 7 h 46 min: moving and stop time only)
- Who it suits
- Everyone
- Transport
- drive, walk
- Start
- Seashells Cafe, Cervantes
- Finish
- Lancelin sand dunes
- Pace
- moderate pace
- Best time
- August–October for wildflowers; spring and autumn are mild. Summer in the desert is very hot: leave by 6:45am and carry water and hats. The Lobster Shack kitchen runs 11am–3pm only
- Budget per adult
- Nambung National Park entry A$17 per vehicle (up to 12 people); lobster factory tour A$15 adult, A$7.50 child. Prices checked October 2026; lunch, fuel and sandboard hire extraPrices as of: July 2026; transport and zoo prices October 2026
Getting there
Car only: Perth to Cervantes via the Mitchell Fwy and Indian Ocean Drive is ~195 km (about 2 h 15 min); back via Lancelin, ~127 km to Perth. No public transport to the Pinnacles. The Pinnacles Desert Loop is unsealed but fine for a regular car
Stops in order
The text version of the route: stops, time at each and the legs between them. Times are estimates, without queues, traffic or swims.
- Snack
1. Seashells Cafe, Cervantes~30 min at the stop
A foreshore cafe on Ronsard Bay at the front of the RAC Cervantes Holiday Park: barista coffee, pies and pasties, muffins and milkshakes. Just right after two hours on the road.
Tip: Open daily for breakfast and lunch (confirm exact hours with the park). 35 Aragon Street. Toilets: the Pinnacles Discovery Centre has them, Lake Thetis does not.
Open on the map ↗↓ drive · 6 min · 3.5 km
2. Lake Thetis stromatolites~30 min at the stop
A salt lake fringed by stromatolites, rock-like structures built by micro-organisms that resemble some of the earliest life on Earth. A short trail and a viewing deck over the water.
Tip: Part of Nambung NP, covered by the A$17 per-vehicle pass bought once for the day. Don't step on the stromatolites. No toilets, no dogs.
Open on the map ↗↓ drive · 17 min · 17 km
- Shops
3. Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre~30 min at the stop
The visitor centre at the desert entrance: soundscapes, videos and objects explaining how the limestone pillars formed and the culture of the Yued people. The retail gallery sells nature books and souvenirs; the Pinnacles View Lookout is right behind.
Tip: Open daily 9:30am–4:30pm except Christmas Day. Park entry A$17 per vehicle. Clean toilets here.
Open on the map ↗↓ walk · 5 min · 0.3 km
4. Pinnacles Desert: Desert View Walk and the drive loop~1 h 15 min at the stop
Thousands of limestone pillars rising from yellow sand. Walk the 1.5 km Desert View Walk (first 300 m accessible), then drive the ~4.5 km Pinnacles Desert Loop with pull-ins.
Tip: There is no shade: water, hats and sunscreen are a must. Don't climb the pillars. Wildflowers line the roads August–October.
Open on the map ↗↓ drive · 18 min · 18 km
- Lunch
5. Lobster Shack~1 h 30 min at the stop
A family restaurant at a working rock lobster plant in Cervantes: Western Rock Lobster served several ways, eaten on the deck. After lunch, tour the live processing plant and take a selfie with a lobster in the touch pool.
Tip: Kitchen 11am–3pm, shop 9am–5pm, daily except Christmas Day. Factory tours at 12pm and 2pm, 30 minutes, A$15 adult, A$10 senior, A$7.50 child; buy tickets in the gift shop. The overhead viewing platform isn't wheelchair accessible.
Open on the map ↗↓ drive · 15 min · 14 km
- Swim
6. Hangover Bay~35 min at the stop
White sand and turquoise water inside Nambung NP: a good swim and snorkel after the desert, with occasional bottlenose dolphins and sea lions.
Tip: Toilet, shade shelter, picnic tables and BBQs; covered by the same park pass. Unpatrolled, so swim only in calm conditions. Keep your distance from sea lions.
Open on the map ↗↓ drive · 1 h 5 min · 95 km
- For kids
7. Lancelin sand dunes~50 min at the stop
Huge snow-white dunes right behind Lancelin, Perth's best-known spot for sandboarding. Climb up and slide down on a board, or just roll.
Tip: This is a Shire of Gingin off-road vehicle area with buggies and 4WDs, so keep kids close and don't sit on crests. The car park off Beacon Road is open 8am–7pm. Boards are hired from the Lancelin 4WD Adventures kiosk at the dune edge (photo ID needed); check prices and hours ahead.
Open on the map ↗
Before you go
- 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.