Mysteries of the Pinnacles: A Desert Night Adventure
There’s something truly surreal about standing in the heart of the desert as the sun dips below the horizon, casting long shadows across a forest of ancient limestone spires. Welcome to the Pinnacles Desert in Western Australia – a landscape so otherworldly, it feels like stepping onto another planet. On this unforgettable tour, we traded city lights for starlight. Joining a small group of adventurers on a journey that blended outback exploration, a sizzling Aussie BBQ and a night sky bursting with stars. From wandering among the eerie, windswept formations at sunset to lying back under the Milky Way’s dazzling arc, this tour was more than a scenic escape – it was a dive into the raw beauty and cosmic wonder of Western Australia’s wild side.
I visited the Pinnacles on a 2-week road trip up the Coral Coast of Western Australia with my family. We met up with Lumineer Adventure Tours for a journey through the mysterious Pinnacles with sunset BBQ and star gazing. It was a cold July evening and warm clothes were definitely needed. This is our story of our Pinnacles Adventure.
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Our Pinnacle Desert Adventure
We met up with our guide, bush cook and star gazing guru at 5pm at the Discovery Centre. The group had left Perth earlier in the day and enjoyed some sandboarding at Lancelin along the way.
The little bus wound its way through the scenic drive before coming to our dinner stop about halfway around. We had about an hour to explore the Pinnacles before dinner was served.
Dancing in the Desert
The Pinnacle Desert is a strange place, not just the scenery but it has an unusual feel about it. Some places were quite friendly, whilst others made you feel a little uneasy and encouraged you to leave these spots. The stormy skies provided dramatic backdrop the thousands of limestone pillars that stood like sentries in the desert. As the sun dropped into the Indian Ocean, the sand became an ochre-yellow colour. A photographers dream especially as the girls played up to the camera and danced through the desert.
Unexpected Wildlife Encounters
Wandering amongst the limestone pillars, we came across some tracks. The three toed variety, one foot at a time. Emu tracks disappearing into the brush. The distance between footprints was huge! The emu must have been running. Did you know that the emu is the second tallest bird in the world at approximately 1.8m (6-foot) and their foot is 15cm long (6 inches)? It’s walking stride is about a metre but at full gallop can reach 2.75m!
A short time later, my daughters had found a track through a bit of shrubbery on top of a rocky outcrop. I heard a scream. They had just come face to face with a couple of Western Grey Kangaroos! From my vantage point, I saw the kangaroos explode from the undergrowth and make tracks into the desert. The encounter is something that will stay in their memories forever.
A Date with the Stars
As we waited for the sky to become dark, we tucked into a fabulous BBQ dinner and watched the sunset. But as things would go, the clouds decided to linger, which is not ideal for star gazing. So we waited…….and as we began to pack up, the clouds parted, giving us a glimpse of the magnificent Milky Way and the Emu in the Sky. The Emu was lying down in the Milky Way. Legend has it that when the Emu’s legs are closed, the indigenous people cannot collect emu eggs, but may collect eggs when the Emu’s legs are open.
We were able to look through the telescope and see stunning constellations twinkling near the Southern Cross that we couldn’t see with the naked eye. We also saw many shooting stars.
About 8pm it was time to pack up for our journey to Perth.
About the Pinnacles
The amazing limestone structures which are the Pinnacles were formed between 25,000 – 30,000 years ago when the sea receded and left deposits of shells. Over time, coastal winds have removed the surrounding sand, leaving exposed pillars. Some stand as high as 3.5m. There are over 1000 limestone pillars in the park, each one has a unique size and shape.
The Nambung National Park is a sacred site to the Yued Noongar people. They call the Pinnacles Kwong-kan – the Sandy Place. There are some areas where only women can go, where they would camp, give birth, hold ceremonies and gather food. Legend tell of ancient young men who ventured into these sacred lands, who were punished by the gods for disrespecting the land, and their spirits are now trapped in the limestone formations, representing their warriors’ fingers and hands.
Best Time to Visit
The Pinnacles at Nambung National Park are open all year round, 24 hours a day, although the place does get a little spooky at night. Camping is not permitted. The Discovery Centre is open from 9.30am to 4.30pm daily.
The best months to visit is the cooler months from April to October. To get really amazing photographs, aim for the golden hours of sunrise and sunset.
How to get there
The Pinnacles are located in the Nambung National Park accessible from the Indian Ocean Drive, 189km (2hour drive) north of Perth, 15 minute drive south of Cervantes or 30 minutes south of Jurien Bay.
Check out these guides for accommodation options and other things to do close by.
Your Complete Guide to Cervantes
How much does it cost?
A National Parks pass is required to enter the park or you can obtain a 1-day pass for $17 at the gate.
How to Explore the Pinnacles
Walking – From the Discovery Centre explore the Pinnacles on the Desert View Walking Trail. It is an easy 1.5km and takes approximately 45minutes, depending on how much you stop to take photos. The first 200m to the Pinnacles View Lookout is wheelchair accessible. It’s one of the few places in the world you can see the ocean from the desert.
Self Drive – There is a 4.5km self-drive trail suitable for 2WD vehicles with parking bays allowing you to get out and stroll through the limestone pillars. The track gets very narrow in spots. Motorhomes and caravans and vehicles over 7m are not permitted and must pack in the long vehicle parking bays at the Discovery Centre.
Guided Tours – There are many day trips from Perth which include other activities such as sandboarding at Lancelin or star gazing. As we were headed south in our motorhome, we met up with Lumineer Adventure Tours for our experience.
Facilities
The Discovery Centre is located a short drive down a sealed road to a sealed carpark. At the Discovery Centre you can learn about the Nambung National Park, its custodians, the Yued Noongar people and its cultural significance.
Refreshments and souvenirs can be purchased at the Discovery Centre. Toilets are located at the start of the Desert View Walking Trail.
Looking after the Pinnacles
- Pets are not allowed in Nambung National Park. However, free basic dog kennels for park visitors are located at the Cervantes Ranger Station, which is open 7 days per week between 8am and 5pm. Call (08) 9688 6000 for more information.
- Respect the Pinnacles and do not climb, sit or stand on the formations. Stay on the roads marked and follow the signs in the park.
- Take only photos and leave only footprints
As the last traces of twilight faded and the stars blazed across the desert sky, the Pinnacles revealed a side of Western Australia that few get to witness – raw, timeless, and utterly awe inspiring, Between the golden hour walk through the ancient limestone formations, a hum of conversation making new friends over a desert BBQ, and the silence of the desert under a blanket of cloud, followed by glittering stars, this tour was more than just sightseeing -it was connection with something bigger.
If you’re craving for adventure that blends natural history, cosmic beauty and unforgettable outback vibes, a Pinnacles Desert tour with star gazing and Lumineer Adventure Tours as your guide is an absolute must. So pack your sense of wonder, charge your camera, and let Western Australia show you a night you’ll never forget.
Ready to chase the stars and stand amongst the giants? Start planning your Pinnacles adventure – the desert is waiting.
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