Pinnacles Desert

The Nambung National Park covers are area of nearly 18,000 hectares in the Cervantes and Jurien Bay region. The Pinnacles Desert is within the park. The Pinnacles is about 17 kms south of Cervantes townsite and about 230 kms north of Perth. The Pinnacles are mostly made up of seashells deposited eons ago, perhaps blown here from the ocean, then preserved and solidified by sand, wind and rain. The area remained almost unknown until the 1960's

Pinnacles - Desert Road Sign

On the access road to The Pinnacles off the Indian Ocean Drive is this information sign which speaks for itself. January 2013. Photos Ref: PIND001

Pinnacles - Discovery Centre

The Pinnacles Discovery Centre is housed in this impressive structure. The display section provides photos and videos of the area and scientific explanations of how it came to be. At this pictured end of the centre you can purchase souvenirs and have a cool drink. January 2013. Photos Ref: PIND002

Pinnacles - Formations

The pinnacles are limestone obelisks formed tens of thousands of years ago as shells and other marine debris were deposited here from the nearby ocean, probably by wind and wave, which eventually coalesced and grew higher in the massive sand dunes. Thousands of years later, the dunes blew away thus exposing the structures to how we see them today. Another theory is that these are simply calcified tree remnants spiked with sand and shells. No-one seems really sure. January 2013. Photos Ref: PIND003

Pinnacles - Formations

Pinnacles rise out of the yellow sand in a strange and somewhat eerie landscape. There are thousands of them. January 2013. Photos Ref: PIND004

Pinnacles - Formations

Some of the taller pinnacles illuminated by the mid-morning sunlight. January 2013. Photos Ref: PIND005

Pinnacles - Formations

Another section of the desert showing some smaller structures, each etched into personal uniqueness in shape, size and colour. The best times for photographing here are at dawn or dusk to maximise the effect of the light and shadows. January 2013. Photos Ref: PIND006

Pinnacles - Formations

Some pinnacles are over four metres high. This pair are not that big but the presence of a person helps to convey something of the scale. January 2013. Photos Ref: PIND007

Pinnacles - Formations

This red car stands out against the stark sand and provides an idea of the actual size of the pinnacle to the left. It is one of the largest girths I saw today. January 2013. Photos Ref: PIND008

Pinnacles - Lookout

At the centre of the desert is this wooden lookout aptly named the Desert View Lookout. Looking west from here you can see over and beyond the pinnacles to sand dunes and beyond to the ocean which is not far away. January 2013. Photos Ref: PIND009

Pinnacles - View From Lookout

A view of some of the pinnacles from the Desert View Lookout. January 2013. Photos Ref: PIND010

Pinnacles - Vehicle Access

Visitors can either take a 1.2 km walk around the desert, or light vehicles can travel around a 4 kilometre circuit. Part of the road is shown in this picture marked with stones. There are plenty of stopping points en route. January 2013. Photos Ref: PIND011

Pinnacles - Sandstone

A lump of weathered sandstone displays its horizontal strata. You can see the ocean over there in the distance. January 2013. Photos Ref: PIND012

Pinnacles - Visitors in Sandscape

Visitors traverse the landscape up near a sandstone outcrop above surrounding pinnacles. January 2013. Photos Ref: PIND013

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