If you’re looking for a day trip from Perth that’s easy, exciting, and full of natural wonder, we highly recommend a visit to The Pinnacles Desert in Nambung National Park. We made the trip with our little ones and it was a magical experience that felt like walking through a giant natural sculpture park!
We left early in the morning to beat the heat and crowds, aiming to explore before lunchtime. The park is located just over two hours north of Perth and is well signposted from Indian Ocean Drive.
Entry & Access Info
At the entrance, there’s a $17 National Park day fee per vehicle—unless you already hold a Yanchep National Park pass, which also covers entry there.
Important: The Pinnacles Drive is currently 4WD-only due to soft, uneven surfaces. If you’re in a 2WD, you’ll need to take the Emu Walk Trail on foot, which is still very doable with children. The walk is flat, scenic, and leads through plenty of limestone formations.
What the Kids Loved
Our kids had an absolute blast running around, playing hide and seek among the pillars, and rolling in the coarse yellow sand—which isn’t soft like beach sand, but gritty with tiny rock particles that feel fun to dig and explore.
We turned it into a game trying to find shapes in the rocks—our favourite was one that looked like a sandcastle! The whole place sparks imagination.
We also spotted plenty of bird footprints and what looked like canine prints—perhaps from a dingo, since dogs aren’t allowed in the national park.
Facilities & Extras
Bathrooms were clean and functional, though no baby changing station, so plan ahead if you’ve got nappies to change.
We finished our visit with a stop at the Discovery Centre and gift shop, where we grabbed a few snacks and learned more about the Pinnacles! The displays and accompanying videos are very informative. You can also read about the theories behind what the Pinnacles are and how they were formed. Some say it is an ancient sea floor, some say it was formed by a forest! But it is believed that they are up to 500 000 years old!
Lunch Stop
On the way home, we stopped in Lancelin at the Endeavour Tavern for a relaxed, family-friendly lunch by the ocean—such a lovely way to break up the drive and enjoy the coast.
This was a brilliant day out for our family. Whether you walk or drive, the Pinnacles Desert is like stepping into a dream—breathtaking, peaceful, and full of opportunities for open-ended play and wonder. Add it to your Perth family bucket list—you won’t regret it!
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Amelia Strachan is a South African-born stay-at-home mum living in Perth, Australia. As Team Strachan found on Instagram, her family roams far and wide, from the North to the South, and from the valleys to the hills. Passionate about family, adventure, and the outdoors, Amelia captures treasured Aussie moments while celebrating the joys of motherhood and life Down Under.
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