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National park · Australia

Nambung National Park

Go for the Pinnacles: pay the A$17 per-vehicle park fee, drive the 4.3 km loop and walk the 1 km lookout trail at sunset, October–April; in December–March the heat and flies make a 9:00–10:00 or late-afternoon visit the only sane option.

Not field-verifiedSome areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026
Map to the park
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Directions
From where I am

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Area

183 km²

approximate

Established

1968

Best months

Apr–May, Sep–Oct

UNESCO

None

Rules in force · 7
  • Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
  • Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
  • Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
  • Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
  • Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
  • Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
  • Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.

At a glance

Country
Australia
Area
183 km²
Park area figures vary by source and boundary revision (check).
Established
1968
Best months
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
Permits
For some areas

Nambung National Park protects a strip of the Western Australian coast around Cervantes, and one small desert inside it holds the Pinnacles: thousands of limestone pillars up to 3.5 m tall, formed when plant roots and acidic rainwater cut channels through old shell dunes that later filled with quartz sand and blew clear. The park is arid and hot, with 40°C normal from December to March and closure possible as temperatures approach 50°C; rainfall is limited to May–September and wildflowers follow from September. Most visitors see the pillars from the 4.3 km one-way drive loop or the 1 km lookout walk, then miss the coast: Hangover Bay for swimming, Kangaroo Point for fishing, and Lake Thetis, a hypersaline lake with living marine stromatolites on a flat accessible trail. It is about two hours from Perth on Indian Ocean Drive, so it works as a long day trip or the first stop of a run north to Jurien Bay and Geraldton.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

  • No UNESCO listing; national park since 1968.

Size and age

183 km² · national park since 1968

Park area figures vary by source and boundary revision (check).

Why go

  • The Pinnacles: thousands of limestone pillars up to 3.5 m tall standing in yellow desert, seen from a car window or a 1 km walk.
  • A coastal strip most drivers skip: Hangover Bay for swimming and snorkelling, Kangaroo Point for shore fishing.
  • Lake Thetis, one of the few places on earth with living marine stromatolites, on a flat accessible trail.
  • Two hours from Perth on Indian Ocean Drive, so it fits a one-day loop or the first night of a longer run north.

When to go

12-month verdict
  1. JanAvoid
  2. FebAvoid
  3. MarCaution
  4. AprBest
  5. MayBest
  6. JunGo
  7. JulGo
  8. AugGo
  9. SepBest
  10. OctBest
  11. NovGo
  12. DecCaution
  • Jan40°C is normal; park may close near 50°C
  • FebPeak heat; go early or late only
  • MarStill hot; afternoon sea breeze helps
  • AprWarm days, cool mornings, clear light
  • MayMild; first rains green the scrub
  • JunCool and often wet; quiet
  • JulWettest month; bring a jacket
  • AugCool, windy, wildflower buds
  • SepWildflowers in bloom; mild
  • OctWarm, dry, best light for photos
  • NovHeating up; go at dawn or dusk
  • DecHot and busy with holiday traffic

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year
Wildlife and nature calendar for Nambung National Park
WhatJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Western grey kangaroos and emusAll year · Most active early and late; they rest through the heat of the day.yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Wildflowers (wattle, banjine, quandong, fanflower)Aug–Oct · Bloom builds from late winter and peaks in September.nononononononoyesyesyesnono
Baudin's black cockatooMar–Sep · Look for them in the coastal heath and around the banksia.nonoyesyesyesyesyesyesyesnonono
Sea lions and bottlenose dolphins offshoreAll year · Seen from boats near the Cervantes and Green Islands; keep your distance.yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Bush fliesOct–Mar · Thousands of them in the warm months; a head net is not overkill.yesyesyesnonononononoyesyesyes

Arrive & move

Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are

How to get there

From Perth

Indian Ocean Drive (State Route 60) north via Lancelin; turn off to the Discovery Centre and Pinnacles near Hangover Bay.

2 h

Open the page →

From Cervantes

Sealed road south from the village to the park entrance, then the one-way Pinnacles loop.

15–20 min

From Jurien Bay

Indian Ocean Drive south to the same turnoff.

30–40 min

From Perth by coach

Integrity Coaches run three evenings a week from Perth via Joondalup and Lancelin; the Cervantes post office is the village request stop.

2 h

Zones and sectors

Zones of Nambung National Park
ZoneWhat is thereAccess
Pinnacles DesertThe limestone pillars, the 4.3 km one-way sightseeing loop and the 1 km walking loop.Open with a park fee; 2WD and on-road bikes fine on the firm dirt track.
Discovery CentreGallery and displays on how the pinnacles formed, toilets, gift shop and snacks.Open daily 9:30–16:30 (check).
Coast and baysHangover Bay beach, Kangaroo Point, boat launch spots and the offshore islands.Open; Buller and Whittell islands are closed to landing.
Lake ThetisHypersaline lake with living stromatolites, reached by Hansen Bay Road from Cervantes.Open 24 hours; accessible trail, no toilets.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation
Sketch map of 6 approximate points in Nambung National Park, north up123456
Approximate positions from the Discovery Centre to Cervantes, for orientation only.
  1. 1Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre · Headquarters≈-30.603, 115.156Start here for the exhibition, toilets and the trailheads.Map ↗
  2. 2Pinnacles lookout boardwalk · Viewpoint≈-30.600, 115.160Approximate; best light in the late afternoon.Map ↗
  3. 3Hangover Bay · Beach≈-30.593, 115.104Map ↗
  4. 4Kangaroo Point · Beach≈-30.560, 115.094Map ↗
  5. 5Lake Thetis · Trail≈-30.505, 115.075Approximate; reached by Hansen Bay Road from Cervantes.Map ↗
  6. 6Cervantes · Town≈-30.502, 115.068Post office and village request stop for coaches.Map ↗

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Top experiences

TrailsEasy30–45 minPinnacles lookout trailA 1 km loop from the Discovery Centre to a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk over hundreds of pillars; best in evening light.
ViewpointsEasy45–60 minPinnacles drive loop4.3 km one-way dirt track with laybys for photo stops; the best stop is beside the lookout spur junction.
BeachesEasy1–3 hHangover Bay swim and snorkelWhite sand, calm water, a boat ramp; watch for bottlenose dolphins and sea lions.
CultureEasy30 minLake Thetis stromatolite trailFlat loop around a salt lake with living stromatolites; pram and wheelchair accessible.
WildlifeEasy1.5–2 hCervantes Islands sea-lion boat tripBoats sail most days from the Lobster Shack; they do not land, as the islands are a sea-lion haul-out.Booking: Book with the operator in Cervantes
BeachesEasyHalf dayKangaroo Point shore fishingPopular for fishing and boating; the access road is rough, so drive slowly.

Practical

Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong

Entry fees and permits

AUD ranges · check
Fees for Nambung National Park
ItemRangePerNote
Park entry, per vehicle (up to 12 occupants)AUD 17vehicle2026 estimate; standard WA parks fee, collected at the Discovery Centre or the self-registration station (check).
Park entry, per motorcycleAUD 8motorcycle2026 estimate (check).
Park entry, per adult on foot or bicycleAUD 8person2026 estimate (check).
Holiday park pass (4 weeks, all WA parks)AUD 60vehicle2026 estimate; worth it if you also stop at other WA parks (check).
Annual all-parks passAUD 130vehicle2026 estimate (check).

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Park entry fee permit or guide

Pay at the Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre, or use the self-registration envelope station at the entrance when the centre is shut.

Camping no permit

No camping inside the park; sleep in Cervantes or the caravan parks along the coast.

Drone flight permit or guide

Recreational drones are not allowed in WA national parks without a permit from the parks authority (check).

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more
Stay on marked trails
Off-track walking risks spreading Phytophthora dieback between patches of vegetation.
No camping in the park
Camping is not permitted; use Cervantes or the coastal holiday parks.
Drones
Not allowed without a permit from the parks authority (check).check
Island landings
You may not land on Buller or Whittell islands; check before landing on North or South Green, and avoid the spring seabird breeding season.
Fires
No campfires; total fire bans apply in hot, dry, windy conditions and the park may close.

Where to stay

Near the park

Cervantes

The service village for the park: motel, lodge and a well-run caravan park on the north beach, 15–20 min from the Pinnacles.

Near the park

Jurien Bay

Larger resort town 30–40 min north with more accommodation and food options.

Safety

Heat high

December–March, walk before 10:00 or after 16:00; carry at least 2 L of water per person; the park can close as temperatures approach 50°C.

Bushfire high

Check the parks authority alerts and total fire bans before driving out; leave immediately if told to.

Rough seas and surf at the bays medium

Swim between the flags where patrolled, never alone, and keep clear of the rocks and boat ramps.

Wildlife on the road medium

Kangaroos and emus cross at dawn and dusk; slow down and do not swerve.

No phone signal away from Cervantes medium

Download maps and tell someone your plan; coverage is patchy 4G and nothing further north or south on the highway.

Accessibility

  • The Discovery Centre has accessible toilets and the lookout boardwalk is wheelchair accessible.
  • The Lake Thetis trail is flat, wheelchair and pram accessible, and open 24 hours.
  • The 4.3 km Pinnacles drive loop is firm dirt suitable for a standard 2WD car, so the pillars can be seen without walking.

Visiting lightly

  • Stay on the trail and clean your footwear between sites to slow the spread of Phytophthora dieback.
  • Take all rubbish out; there are no bins in the desert section.
  • Keep 5 m or more from sea lions and dolphins, and never feed wildlife.
  • Buy fuel, food and tours in Cervantes or Jurien Bay so the park's gateway towns benefit.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Nambung National Park?

The standard WA parks entry fee is A$17 per vehicle (2026 estimate), A$8 per motorcycle and A$8 per adult on foot or bicycle, paid at the Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre or by self-registration envelope when it is closed. A four-week holiday park pass (about A$60) or an annual all-parks pass (about A$130) pays off if you visit other WA parks on the same trip.

What are the best hikes in Nambung National Park?

The 1 km Pinnacles lookout loop from the Discovery Centre is the main walk: easy, partly boardwalk, and it reaches the best view of the pillars. The 4.3 km Pinnacles drive loop is a dirt track rather than a hike, with laybys for photo stops. Outside the desert section, the flat trail around Lake Thetis is a short, accessible walk with living stromatolites.

When is the best time to visit Nambung National Park?

April–May and September–October give mild days, clear light and wildflowers in spring. December–March is genuinely hot, with 40°C normal and the park closing as temperatures approach 50°C, so visit before 10:00 or after 16:00. Winter (June–August) is cool and often wet but very quiet.

How long do you need at the Pinnacles?

Two to three hours covers the Discovery Centre, the 4.3 km drive loop and the 1 km lookout walk. Add an hour or two if you also stop at Hangover Bay or Lake Thetis on the way back to Cervantes.

Can you walk among the Pinnacles?

Yes, on the marked 1 km loop and from the laybys along the drive. Stay on the trail: off-track walking damages the formations and can spread Phytophthora dieback between patches of vegetation.

Is Nambung National Park worth it from Perth as a day trip?

Yes if you leave early. It is about two hours each way on Indian Ocean Drive, so a day trip means roughly five hours of driving plus two to three hours in the park. Many people break the drive with a night in Cervantes instead.

Are there toilets and food in the park?

There are accessible toilets and a gift shop with snacks and soft drinks at the Discovery Centre, open daily 9:30–16:30 (check). There is nothing else in the desert section, so bring water and food.

Can you camp in Nambung National Park?

No. Camping is not allowed in the park. The nearest options are the caravan and holiday parks in Cervantes, about 15–20 minutes away, or Jurien Bay to the north.

Related

Australia travel guide National park passes Western Australia

Deep dive

Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go

Sources