Starting from the car park at the end of Pinnacles Drive, Nambung National Park, this walk takes you on a circuit through the Pinnacles Desert and past the Pinnacles View Lookout via the Desert View Walk Trail. This is one of the park's most popular trails because of the views and easy access to the Pinnacles Desert. From the main car park area, a concrete path leads to the start of the Desert View Walk Trail. The concrete path ends as it leaves the heathland, providing the first sight of the Pinnacles Desert. The trailhead is well signed, providing a map of the walk and some safety information. Comprised of naturally well-compacted sand, the trail is mostly flat with only a few gentle rises. An interesting aspect of this trail is that there is no set path. Instead, walkers can choose their own course between the marker posts placed at regular intervals and freely explore the otherworldly environment. The best time of the year to go is spring, with blooming wildflowers and cooler weather. Summer is very hot and dry. It is advisable to avoid visiting from December to March. Wear sunscreen, long sleeves and a hat to avoid sunstroke and sunburn, and carry enough drinking water. The trail crosses the vehicle track at various points (which is well marked with rocks), so watch out for cars. Please treat the Pinnacles with respect and never attempt to climb these fragile structures. 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.
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.
Turn right onto Pinnacles Drive and drive for another 20 m
Turn left and drive for another 15 m
Keep left and drive for another 40 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started From the car park at the end of Pinnacles Drive, Nambung National Park, head along the concrete path, passing a 'Take time to explore...' sign. After passing a sheltered seating area (to your left), head up the steps past the 'Walk Trail & Pinnacles View' sign and follow the concrete path ahead for about 250m as it winds through the heathland. Once the concrete path ends, keep left and proceed past the 'Desert View Walk Trail' sign (to your right) into the Pinnacles Desert and continue the Desert View Walk Trail (clockwise).....
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
There is a car park.
After 60 m pass the shelter (15 m on your left).
Continue straight.
After another 6 m pass the toilet (30 m on your right).
After another 15 m find the "Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre" (90 m on your left).
Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre
Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre
Set in low heath at the edge of the Pinnacles Desert, the discovery centre is a stepping stone into Nambung National Park. There are displays, objects and soundscapes in the discovery centre that give you information about the geology of the rock formations and the culture & history of the area. The building has been designed to blend with the surrounding environment and incorporates solar power, passive solar building design and rainwater collection. There are also toilets in the centre.
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Set in low heath at the edge of the Pinnacles Desert, the discovery centre is a stepping stone into Nambung National Park. There are displays, objects and soundscapes in the discovery centre that give you information about the geology of the rock formations and the culture & history of the area. The building has been designed to blend with the surrounding environment and incorporates solar power, passive solar building design and rainwater collection. There are also toilets in the centre.
After another 240 m continue straight.
After another 70 m find the "Pinnacles Desert" (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.
After another 230 m continue straight.
After another 300 m pass the car park (35 m on your left).
Then find the "Pinnacles View Lookout" (on your right).
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.
Then cross the bridge (about 15 m long)
Turn right.
After another 105 m continue straight.
After another 370 m continue straight.
After another 295 m continue straight.
After another 190 m turn left.
After another 260 m continue straight.
After another 40 m come to the end.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Desert View Walk Trail
Grading
Class 2/6
Easy track
Length
2.2 km
Time
45 min to 1 h
Quality of track
Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient
Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
Signage
Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure
Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
Experience Required
No experience required (2/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (2/6)
Bushwalk
45 min to 1 h
Shelter: There is one 55 m from the start.
Toilet: There is one 60 m from the start.
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There is a car park.
Continue straight.
After another 15 m find the "Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre" (90 m on your left).
After another 70 m find the "Pinnacles Desert" (on your right).
Then find the "Pinnacles View Lookout" (on your right).
Then cross the bridge (about 15 m long)
