The Pinnacles Desert in Australia

They protrude from the ground like thousands of pins. Some are only a few centimetres tall. Others measure up to five metres. I can recognise them from afar and am no less impressed when I actually stand in front of them in the middle of the wild outback: the Pinnacles in Nambung National Park in Western Australia.

Are the Pinnacles in Western Australia worth a visit?

The Pinnacles, also known as the ‘Rock Stars in the Outback’, are located 250 kilometres north of Perth in Western Australia and are, therefore, ideal for a day trip. The extraordinary limestone formations were formed around 30,000 years ago over an area of almost 17,500 hectares by the winds of the Indian Ocean.

Interested visitors can easily visit the Pinnacles in Nambung National Park by car and park 100 metres from the actual Pinnacle Walking Trail. If you have a little time and enough sun protection, you can also tackle the so-called Pinnacles Lookout, a 5-kilometre hiking trail through Nambung National Park, and encounter native animals such as the grey giant kangaroo and other endemic species.

Instatip: If the light is right, you can use a drone to take great shadow photos from a bird’s eye view. Are you also sporty? Just climb one of the lower rock formations and then show off your favourite yoga pose!

Travelling to Nambung National Park

Anyone who has ever been to Western Australia knows that it is almost impossible to get around the outback Down Under without your own car, without hitchhiking or without a booked tour.

I therefore recommend renting a car, which you are only allowed to drive yourself in Australia from the age of 26. But with the all-round carefree package for just under 45 euros per day, you are not only safe on the road, you can also see other interesting natural sights around Perth.

If you would rather get to the Pinnacles stress-free and without having to change your mind due to the prevailing left-hand traffic in Australia, you can book various tours for between the equivalent of 90 and 250 euros per person. Extras such as sandboarding in Hillarys and Lancelin, a visit to Yanchep National Park or the Benedictine monastery in New Norcia are also included in the price.

Sunrise and sunset at the Pinnacles

If you limit yourself to the suggested day tour of the Pinnacles, you will have to pay an entrance fee of AUS$ 10 per vehicle. The Nambung National Park regularly opens at 9 am and closes at 5 pm, but you can easily stay longer on the grounds and take sunset photos, for example. Are you more of a sunrise type? No problem, either. You can also arrive at Nambung National Park before 9 am and only pay the fees when you leave the desert.

The entire area is wheelchair accessible on the pre-made paths. You can take your picnic or barbeque equipment and end the day with delicious food and drinks at designated places.

Incidentally, the annual wildflower season between August and October is spectacular and beautiful.

A chat with kangaroos and co

After our previous trip to Tasmania, I was convinced that the natural spectacles in Western Australia probably wouldn’t be able to catch me. Far from it! We are still sitting in our pleasantly air-conditioned Nissan Pulsar when we spot them from afar and stop immediately for a wonderful landscape shot. 10 metres further on again. A third time 25 metres further on. The fourth, fifth and sixth stops also fascinate us, as the Pinnacles really do look completely different every time. I find myself walking around each limestone completely, and the shape of the pillar always seems to change from different angles. Mother Earth is the greatest artist of all!

We didn’t notice it at first, as we had just made ourselves comfortable under the saving shade of a pinnacle. But right behind us, a small family of giant grey kangaroos hopped past at around midday, not giving us or our open mouths a second glance. We can’t get our camera out fast enough, but that doesn’t bother us. Not all fascinating moments have to be captured on camera. Emus, cockatoos and pine cone lizards also cross our path later on. We are thrilled with our little adventure trip and spent three hours at the Pinnacles.

My personal highlight: The Pinnacles Desert Lookout

It has been sung about, has been the setting for various blockbusters and yet can only be truly understood in the flesh: Australia’s hostile yet wondrous outback! I’ve always been a fan of desolate and lonely landscapes. I love the peace and endless expanses around me. Where better to let your gaze wander than at purpose-built lookouts?

The Pinnacles Desert Lookout offers us a breathtaking view over the Pinnacles Desert and Banksia bushland to the coast at Cervantes, which with its snow-white dunes is another highlight on our journey through Western Australia.

Due to the scorching heat, we are unsure whether the Pinnacles Desert Lookout in Nambung National Park is accessible and feasible without major effort before we start our journey to the Pinnacles. I can reassure and encourage you not to skip this lookout, which is my personal highlight if you take on the 250-kilometre drive from Perth.

Conclusion

I believe visiting the Pinnacles in Nambung National Park in Western Australia is worthwhile for any nature lover. But even if you want to escape the bustling city vibes of Perth, the 17,500-hectare desert area is suitable for the whole family. Incidentally, trips to the Pinnacles are recommended for children aged three and over.

Additional tip: If you have plenty of time, you can learn about the geological features of Nambung National Park in person at the Desert Discovery Centre and then purchase beautiful souvenirs.