The Pinnacles Desert

The Pinnacles Desert

The Pinnacles Desert Western Australia The Pinnacles Desert/The Pinnacles Desert, Cervantes, Western Australia/It's a true desert landscape in Nambung National Park, where the weathered rock spires of the Pinnacles rise out of yellow sand dunes. Yet the park sits on the deep blue Indian Ocean, along an idyllic stretch of coast three hour's drive north of Perth. After experiencing the eerie Pinnacles, stay in the fishing village of Cervantes, with its white beaches, coral reefs and Lake Thetis, a salt lake teeming with living fossils. Get up close to a rich array of wildlife in Badgingarra National Parks and discover Jurien Bay's national parks and idyllic sandy beaches. From Perth, you can hire a car and head north along the Indian Ocean Drive, which stretches all the way to Exmouth on Ningaloo Reef. It's around three hours drive to Nambung National Park, which is also frequented by coach and 4WD tours from Perth.Once here, a scenic walk and drive trail winds past the ancient limestone pillars of the Pinnacles, some several metres tall. They're scattered across the desert in their thousands, creating an eerie, alien-like landscape. Some are as high as three and half metres, and some finish in a jagged point, while others have rounded domes, resembling tombstones. Made up of shells, the Pinnacles date back millions of years to an epoch when the sand was beneath the sea.Watch wild emus, galahs and other wildlife stalking through the spires and see the landscape lit in spectacular sunset colours from the lookout point. Visit the interpretive discovery centre to learn how the Pinnacles evolved and about the region's biodiversity.The park is also fringed by secluded, white beaches great for swimming, snorkelling and surfing. Go fishing from Thirsty Point Lookout or swim in the turquoise waters of Hangover Bay. Less than 8km from the park's entrance, scenic Kangaroo Point is named after the mobs of kangaroos who gather on the beach at dawn and dusk.  www.australia.com