Pinnacles Desert Drive Circuit

1 h to 1 h 30 min

3.8 km
circuit

↑ 39 m
↓ -40 m

Easy track
Starting from Pinaccle Desert Parking, Nambung, this walk takes you on a circuit in Pinnacles Desert. The desert hosts marvellous geological formations that are a result of ancient erosive sources and create a photogenic scenery for the visitors. These limestone structures that are scattered among the sand dunes create an otherwordly environment, and you basically cannot stop yourself from wondering how they are formed. The texture is sand, but the path is completely flat, and the lookout is wheelchair friendly as well. There is a shop that sells simple refreshments and snacks along with basic facilities such as toilets. You might want to fly repellents with you as the area can host a lot of them. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
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Safer Bushwalks
Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start (-30.6049864,115.1551929)
Mode Car
DirectionsFrom Indian Ocean Drive, 60, Nambung.
  • Turn on to Pinnacles Drive then drive for 5.3 km
  • Continue and drive for another 210 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the southern end of Pinnacle Desert Parking, head towards the "Pinnacles Drive" sign along the concrete path. Turn left when you make it to this sign and start heading along the concrete road as you keep the car park to your left. 250 metres in, veer/keep right at the Y intersection (marked by a sign) to continue along Pinnacles Desert Drive Circuit (counterclockwise).....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
Find the car park at the start.
After another 30 m turn left, to head along Pinnacles Drive.
After another 200 m continue straight, to head along Pinnacles Drive.
After another 20 m veer right, to head along Pinnacles Drive.
After another 200 m continue straight, to head along Pinnacles Drive.
After another 1.8 km continue straight, to head along Pinnacles Drive.
After another 90 m continue straight, to head along Pinnacles Drive.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This little side trip takes you to the Pinnacles Lookout. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 65 m continue straight, to head along Pinnacles Drive.
After another 130 m continue straight, to head along Pinnacles Drive.
After another 260 m continue straight, to head along Pinnacles Drive.
After another 510 m pass the car park (on your right).
After another 15 m find the "Pinnacles Desert" (30 m on your right).
Pinnacles Desert
Pinnacles Desert

Thousands of huge limestone pillars mysteriously rise from the yellow sands to form one of Western Australia's most iconic and unusual landscapes. The Pinnacles formed approximately 25,000 to 30,000 years ago after the sea receded and left deposits of seashells. Coastal winds cleared the sand around the pillars, exposing them. The variation in colours (due mainly to the variation in soil types) and the stark relief of the Pinnacles against a backdrop of constantly shifting sand dunes together create an eerie landscape of ever-changing moods. Dawn and dusk are the best times to experience this change of colour and shadow length.
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Thousands of huge limestone pillars mysteriously rise from the yellow sands to form one of Western Australia's most iconic and unusual landscapes. The Pinnacles formed approximately 25,000 to 30,000 years ago after the sea receded and left deposits of seashells. Coastal winds cleared the sand around the pillars, exposing them. The variation in colours (due mainly to the variation in soil types) and the stark relief of the Pinnacles against a backdrop of constantly shifting sand dunes together create an eerie landscape of ever-changing moods. Dawn and dusk are the best times to experience this change of colour and shadow length.

Continue straight, to head along Pinnacles Drive.
After another 210 m continue straight, to head along Pinnacles Drive.
After another 20 m continue straight, to head along Pinnacles Drive.
After another 200 m turn right.
After another 30 m come to the end.

This little side trip takes you to the Pinnacles Lookout.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
Find the car park at the start.
After another 30 m veer left.
Then cross the bridge (about 4 m long)
"Pinnacles View Lookout".
Pinnacles View Lookout
Pinnacles View Lookout

A raised, decked platform is the centrepiece of the trail, offering walkers (and drivers who have parked their cars) an excellent vantage point from which to survey the land. This wooden structure allows you to get above the desert floor, providing impressive views in all directions. The Pinnacles View Lookout also provides side trip options for those who want to extend their walk.
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A raised, decked platform is the centrepiece of the trail, offering walkers (and drivers who have parked their cars) an excellent vantage point from which to survey the land. This wooden structure allows you to get above the desert floor, providing impressive views in all directions. The Pinnacles View Lookout also provides side trip options for those who want to extend their walk.

Continue another 0 m to find Pinnacles Lookout at the end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 40 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Pinnacles Desert Drive Circuit


Grading
Class 2/6
Easy track
Length 3.8 km
Time 1 h to 1 h 30 min
Quality of track Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient Flat, no steps (1/6)
Signage Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
Experience Required No experience required (1/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
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