Pinnacles Desert Sunset BBQ Stargazing and Sandboarding Perth
Overview
Our Pinnacles Desert sunset tour from Perth leaves in the afternoon and is built around the best light of the day. Hotel pickup from designated Perth CBD locations, a local guide and national park entry are included. You walk among the limestone pillars at sunset, try sandboarding on the dunes, eat a traditional Australian barbecue dinner in the desert and finish with stargazing through telescopes. It is a long evening, about 9.5 hours in total, and it suits couples, friends and families with older children.
Highlights
- Sunset among the limestone pillars of the Pinnacles Desert in Nambung National Park
- Sandboarding on the desert dunes, with boards provided
- A freshly cooked traditional Australian barbecue dinner in the desert
- Stargazing with telescopes and astronomy binoculars under the Southern Hemisphere sky
- Designated hotel pickup and drop-off in the Perth CBD
- Local guide with live commentary, national park fees and desert trail transport included
- Child seats and dietary requirements catered for with advance notice
Full Description
The Pinnacles Desert in Nambung National Park
The Pinnacles Desert lies in Nambung National Park on the coast north of Perth, about two hours' drive from the city. Thousands of limestone pillars rise from the yellow sand, some only knee-high and others taller than a person, in a landscape that looks otherworldly. The pillars formed from seashell-rich sands that hardened into limestone, and wind later stripped away the surrounding sand.
A Pinnacles Desert tour from Perth is one of the most popular day trips in Western Australia. The best time to visit the Pinnacles is late afternoon and sunset, when the light turns the pillars gold and orange and the day's heat fades.
Sunset walk and desert trail
On this tour you arrive in time for the sunset, when the low sun casts long shadows between the pillars and gives the desert its warmest colours. Your guide drives you along the desert trail inside the park and points out how the pillars formed, along with the native plants and any animals that appear as the day cools.
Wear closed shoes with grip, because the sand is soft and the ground uneven, and bring a camera and a warm layer for after dark. National park entry fees and desert trail transport are included, so there is nothing more to arrange.
Sandboarding and a barbecue dinner
Sandboarding is a lively part of the evening: you lie or sit on a board and slide down a dune, and boards are provided. Climbing back up in soft sand is tiring, so take a break when you need one. It suits most fit visitors and children who are old enough to follow the guide's instructions.
Afterwards you sit down to a freshly cooked traditional Australian barbecue dinner in the desert. Lunch is not included, so eat something before you leave. Dietary requirements can be catered for with advance notice, so tell us when you book.
Stargazing and the drive back to Perth
Far from city lights, the desert sky is dark and full of stars. Your guide sets up telescopes and gives out astronomy binoculars so you can look at planets, star clusters and, in the Southern Hemisphere, constellations such as the Southern Cross. Clear, moonless nights show the Milky Way at its best, though cloud can affect visibility.
The tour returns to Perth after dark and drops you at your accommodation in the Perth CBD, about 9.5 hours after pickup. Pickup begins at about 1:30 PM from one of 16 designated CBD locations, and pickup outside the CBD is not included.
Itinerary
- Hotel pickup in the Perth CBDCollected from a designated location at about 1:30 PM, and the drive north begins.
- Drive to Nambung National ParkAbout two hours to the coast north of Perth with commentary from the guide.
- Sunset at the PinnaclesWalk among the limestone pillars in the golden evening light.
- SandboardingSlide down the dunes on a board provided by the tour.
- Barbecue dinner in the desertA freshly cooked traditional Australian barbecue dinner.
- StargazingLook at the night sky through telescopes and astronomy binoculars.
- Return to PerthDrive back and be dropped at your CBD accommodation at about 11:00 PM.
What's included
- Designated Perth CBD hotel pickup and drop-off
- Local guide with live commentary
- Transport to and from the Pinnacles Desert and desert trail transport
- Traditional Australian barbecue dinner
- National park entry fees
- Use of sandboards
- Use of telescopes and astronomy binoculars
- Child seats and dietary requirements catered for with advance notice
Not included
- Lunch
- Hotel pickup outside the Perth CBD
- Tips
Not suitable for
- Wheelchair users, as the tour is not wheelchair-friendly
- Travellers who need to carry luggage, because there is no luggage capacity
- Anyone who cannot walk on soft sand
Meeting point
Pickup is from a designated location in the Perth CBD, one of 16, starting at about 1:30 PM. Your exact pickup point and time are confirmed after booking. Pickup outside the CBD is not included, and drop-off is at your CBD accommodation at the end of the evening.
Important information
- Wear closed shoes with grip and clothes you can move in, and bring a warm layer for the evening.
- Bring a camera, and keep phone lights low while stargazing so everyone can see the sky.
- Lunch is not included; eat before you leave and bring water.
- Tell us about dietary requirements and child seat needs when you book.
- Pickup outside the designated Perth CBD locations is not included.
- The tour is not wheelchair-friendly and has no luggage capacity.
- Cloud can hide the stars, and the guide will adjust the evening to conditions.
- Children aged 16 and younger and seniors aged 65 and over have their own rates.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Pinnacles sunset and stargazing tour cost?
The price depends on adult, child and senior rates and is shown in the booking panel on this page for the date you choose. It includes pickup, transport, park entry, dinner and the equipment.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, from one of 16 designated pickup locations in the Perth CBD, with drop-off at your CBD accommodation. Pickup outside the CBD is not included.
How long is the Pinnacles sunset tour?
It is about 9.5 hours in total, starting with pickup at about 1:30 PM and returning after dark.
Is dinner included?
Yes, a freshly cooked traditional Australian barbecue dinner in the desert is included. Lunch is not included.
Is sandboarding included?
Yes. Sandboards are provided, and your guide explains how to use them.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes for children who are comfortable on a long evening. Children aged 16 and younger have their own rate, and child seats can be provided with advance notice.
What should I wear and bring?
Wear closed shoes and comfortable clothes, and bring a warm layer, a camera and a water bottle. It can be cool in the desert after dark.
Will I see the stars?
On a clear night the desert sky is excellent, and telescopes and binoculars are provided. Cloud or a bright moon can reduce visibility.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Choose your date in the booking panel to see availability. The tour leaves in the afternoon, so we recommend booking at least a day ahead.
When is the best time to visit the Pinnacles?
Late afternoon and sunset give the best light on the pillars. Spring is popular for wildflowers, and the tour runs year-round.
