Exploring the Pinnacles

Australia is full of incredible natural wonders, and the Pinnacles are one of the most fascinating.

These limestone formations can be found in the sprawling expanse of the Nambung National Park near Cervantes in Western Australia. They form an eerie silhouette on a desert-inspired backdrop and date back thousands and thousands of years, promising a hearty dose of natural history if you visit.

While there, you can watch western grey kangaroos as they tuck into the sparse vegetation that dots the park just after the sun rises. They’re fairly tame, and often let visitors approach them if they are careful and slow-moving. Elsewhere, you might be able to spot Baudin’s black cockatoos and emus, as well as reptiles like bobtails, sand goannas, and carpet pythons.

About the Pinnacles

These amazing natural limestone structures stretch up as high as five metres, scattered about randomly in the dry desert landscape. The raw material of the limestone stacks is said to form seashells, which give evidence of how old these structures truly are, with this region being rich in marine life approximately 25,000 to 30,000 years ago.

The Pinnacles connection to the Aboriginals

These Pinnacles and their surrounds are a very significant region for the traditional owners of the land, the aboriginal people. The Aboriginal people who inhabited this region were named the Nyoongar people. With the name ‘Nambung’ meaning ‘crooked’, which refers to the river which weaves through the region. The Pinnacles are sacred to the local tribe, both spiritual and practical. During the wet season, the Nambung River made a chain of waterholes throughout the park, with the water flowing into the cave systems. These cave waterholes became essential in the survival of the tribe for hundreds of years.

As well, their spiritual connection with the aboriginal people is all linked with the tribe’s women. There are many myths surrounding the region, with the local aboriginal people stating the large rock formations were the remains of fossilised ghosts. They were said to once be young men who wandered into the desert which was sacred and reserved for women only. The gods punished them by burying them alive and leaving behind only their standing limestone figures.

It is still a significant region for women, with many women groups gathering together in the desert to do traditional ceremonies, give birth, and camp beneath the stars.

How to See them

Simply taking a scenic walk or drive around the Pinnacles trails is enough to marvel at the ancient pillars. The coastal location of the Pinnacles means there are plenty of beaches in the vicinity, so you can even enjoy a swim after visiting this ancient desert region!

How the Pinnacles formed

There are quite a few theories detailing the formation of these natural structures. As these limestone creations are so unique scientists cannot narrow down the exact reason for their development. With three main theories detailing their formation.

• 1. Formation due to Karstification

  This theory proposes that the formation was due to the karstification, which is the dissolution of the Tamala Limestone fragments. Weather caused solution pipes which over time progressed in size, resulting in the geography of the pinnacles.

• 2. Tree Casts Buried in the Ground

  The second theory suggests that the formation was due to the tree casts that were buried beneath the ground, who’s roots breached through the soft soil into the calcrete. After the plants die they left an embedded crack in the soil. The climate in Western Australia altered, making the area a warm and dry climate. The wind swept up the loose sand, creating a gradual deflation in ground level. The roots cracks breached in the caliche capping remains, however, resulting in the caliche capped material to reach the surface and become the Pinnacles.

• 3. A Mass Flow by Plants

  The third theory suggests that the Pinnacles were created by plants. Due to the plant’s drawing in water through the soil to the roots, other minerals and nutrients also were drawn, causing a ‘mass flow’ surrounding the roots. Calcium was one of these nutrients, and over time caused the accumulation to form calcrete. After the plants perished and the climate and weather causing deflation in ground level, the reaming calcrete formations around the roots created the Pinnacles.

No Monkey Mia tour is complete without a visit to the Pinnacles.

Australia is full of incredible natural wonders, and the Pinnacles are one of the most fascinating. We can find these limestone formations in the sprawling expanse of the Nambung National Park near Cervantes in Western Australia. The Pinnacles connection to the Aboriginals These fascinating and surreal limestone formations are set around the stunning expanse of the Nambung National Park in Western Australia and cast weird and wonderful silhouettes against the skyline.

They form an eerie silhouette on a desert-inspired backdrop and date back thousands and thousands of years, promising a hearty dose of natural history if you visit.

While there, you can watch western grey kangaroos as they tuck into the sparse vegetation that dots the park just after the sun rises. They’re fairly tame, and often let visitors approach them if they are careful and slow-moving. Elsewhere, you might be able to spot Baudin’s black cockatoos and emus, as well as reptiles like bobtails, sand goannas, and carpet pythons.

What to Do in and Around the Pinnacles

The Pinnacles are an attraction in themselves, but there is plenty more to do in the region if you fancy getting to know some of the area’s other major landmarks.

Take a scenic walk or drive the trails through the ancient pillars, some of which soar seven metres skywards. The scattered pattern of them is unique and fascinating, creating a surreal landscape that seems to sprawl out forever. The pillars themselves are made out of shells, and date back to an era when the sand of the region was buried beneath the sea.

The coastal location of the Pinnacles means there are plenty of beaches in the vicinity, too. The national park is flanked by a number of white beaches with crystal clear waters that are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and surfing.

For keen fishermen, Thirsty Point Lookout is the ideal spot to try your hand at fishing, while a simple swim is made spectacular in the glistening waters of Hangover Bay. Closer to home, Kangaroo Point is just 8km from the entrance of the park, and gets its name from the hordes of kangaroos that gather on the pristine sands as the sun sets.

Nearby, the small, quaint town of Cervantes promises you the chance to step back in time. This crayfishing town is again surrounded by pretty beaches that are famed for swimming and watersports, but you can also go deep sea fishing here and explore the colourful coral reefs of a snorkeling tour. Keep your eyes peeled for sea lions and bottle nosed dolphins if you choose to delve into the underwater world.

Ningaloo Reef

Ningaloo Reef is WA’s stunning answer to the Great Barrier Reef. Despite being a tiny fraction of the size of its eastern counterpart, Ningaloo Reef is full of incredible fish and sea species as well as vibrantly beautiful coral of all kinds of hues!

Ningaloo Reef is also world famous as one of a fav congregation spot of the mighty whale shark, not to mention incredible humpback whales and manta rays. The best part about this is that you can swim alongside these giant giants, taking in the beauty and serenity of the sea floor below.

Cape Range National Park

Ningaloo Reef, apart from being one of the world’s few remaining water paradises, backs onto the majestically gorgeous Cape range National Park, the perfect place for a post-snorkel hiking experience.

Traverse rugged canyons and deep gorges as you take in the sublime flora and catch glimpses of awesome Aussie animals like kangaroos, emus and heaps of bird species.

Kayak the turquoise waters

It’s only natural that the pristine Ningaloo Reef is home to some of the most crystal-clear water in all of Australia, and one of the best ways to enjoy it is through an amazing kayaking tour.

These small group eco-tours take you to explore this incredible UNESCO World Heritage-listed site and all its abundant wonders. There are multiple options to choose from, including half and full day tours. Either way, you are bound to experience some of the most incredible natural scenery and wildlife with these unforgettable sea tours!

Explore all of the Pinnacles Tours from Perth