A Day Trip to the Pinnacles, Lancelin Sand Dunes, and Cervantes Lobster Shack
The Wild Side of Western Australia
Australia ranks high on almost every travel lover's bucket list—and for good reason. With its stunning weather, powdery beaches, world-class diving and snorkeling, and some of the strangest and most fascinating animals on the planet, it's the kind of place that calls to the curious traveler.
If you need more reasons to visit Australia, please read this article:
But while most people flock to the east coast or stick to the big cities, Western Australia (WA) often gets left out. I almost made the same mistake.
When I was planning my ten-week retirement trip across Australia, I hesitated to include WA. It seemed far, remote, and a little less talked about. But after a quick Google search turned into a rabbit hole of jaw-dropping photos and offbeat adventures, I realized I had to go. If only to satisfy my curiosity. And, with time on my side, I figured, why not?
If you are not sure how to plan an Australia itinerary, start here.
Everyone who told me "WA is nothing like the rest of Australia" was absolutely right. And now that I'm back, I can say without hesitation—it was one of the best travel decisions I've made. I'm so glad I added it to my itinerary.
I based myself in Perth for nearly two weeks and used it as a launching pad for day trips and adventures. When not on a tour, I spent time wandering through museums, sipping coffee in the sunshine, and exploring communities on the well-organized train system.
One of the highlights of my stay was the full-day excursion to Lancelin Sand Dunes, Cervantes Lobster Shack, and the eerie, otherworldly Pinnacles Desert.
I booked the tour through Australian Pinnacle Tours, and honestly, I can't recommend them enough. From the punctual hotel pickup to the friendly, informative guide, it was top-notch from start to finish. Although I would have preferred a small group tour, the full coach was well accommodated everywhere we went. If you prefer to use Viator or Get your Guide, they also have great options.
We set off north from Perth, following the picturesque coastal route. Along the way, we stopped for a few scenic photo opportunities. We took a short break to enjoy coffee and cake, followed by a peaceful walk along the beach. Then, it was time for our first big adventure - Lancelin Sand Dunes.
If you've never seen a sand dune in person, these towering formations are both impressive in size and constantly shifting with the wind. Picture a steep, bright white mountain made of powdered sugar—soft underfoot and surprisingly challenging to walk on. With every step, my feet sank into the sand and my shoes quickly filled. The strength of the wind caught me off guard the moment we stepped off the bus.
I made the rookie mistake of wearing a hat without securing it properly. One strong gust and off it went. In a moment of pure instinct, I took off after it, only to realize mid-sprint that I had no idea where the dune ended. I came dangerously close to tumbling down the dune, and I'm not sure I would've had the stamina to climb back up. Lesson learned: secure your hat or leave it on the bus!
The Lancelin sand dunes are not only beautiful, but they're also a playground for fun and adventure. Because we were a large group, we were split into two groups, alternating between the two main activities. Each activity was a one-hour experience.
The first adventure was sandboarding. Like snowboarding in winter climates, you stand (or sit) on the board and slide down the dune. If you are sitting, be aware that the sand flies in your face and gets into all nooks and crannies of your body. Definitely not something to do in a skirt, either. Walking back up the dune for another ride is also a challenge, but only adds to the fun.
The other main activity is taking the rugged four-wheel-drive bus across the dunes. It was like a desert roller coaster, where we laughed, screamed, and bounced our way through the powdery terrain. At times, I was terrified that the bus would roll over, but I accepted the fact that the drivers had done this many times before and trusted that they knew the vehicle's capabilities. I was happy to disembark the one-hour ride, nonetheless.
If you do drive to the dunes yourself, there are other options. You can drive your own 4WD car across the dunes (if your vehicle meets safety requirements), or you can rent an ATV.
No matter how you choose to explore, it's important to remember that this is a living, breathing ecosystem constantly changing and being reshaped by the wind. You can literally see the sand shifting before your eyes, which is both magical and humbling.
After shaking the sand out of our clothes, we continued north to the fishing town of Cervantes, home to the famous Lobster Shack. After a short and surprisingly fascinating tour of the facility, it was time for lunch. I chose the classic fish and chips (included in the tour), but many others shelled out the extra $25 for the lobster upgrade.
After lunch, we headed to the final stop—Nambung National Park, home of the Pinnacles Desert. If you've never seen photos, this place makes you feel like you've landed on another planet or a sci-fi movie set. It is also very hot and constantly windy here.
The limestone pillars—some tall, some squat, some eerily human-shaped—rise from golden sand like ancient, jagged fingers. Strikingly different in color from the white coastal sands just a short drive away, their contrast is the result of millions of years of geological transformation, as our guide explained. This only added to the otherworldly feel of the landscape. To me, the pinnacles were strange, stunning, and completely mesmerizing.
Driving back to Perth, I watched as the coastal winds continued to shape the landscape. Sand blew across the highway like smoke, a constant reminder that nothing here stays the same for long.
Final Thoughts
If you're planning a visit to Western Australia, don't skip this tour. The combination of sandboarding (or dune riding), a delicious seafood lunch, and the breathtaking Pinnacles makes for a perfect day trip from Perth. You'll laugh, you'll eat well, you might lose a hat, and you'll definitely leave with sand in your shoes and stories to tell.
WA may not get as much attention as the east coast, but in my experience, it absolutely deserves a spot on your itinerary.
If you are thinking of heading to Western Australia, these articles link to a couple of places I stayed.
This looks like another planet. The different sand dunes are crazily different but so epic. While you briefly had me at same boarding (sitting down of course) you momentarily lost me at sand flies. But it looks tons of fun, and noted about the hat. While I wouldn't be getting the lobster at the Lobster shack I might be interested in the tour, and would probably get some yummy chips. I also definitely appreciated the "shell out for an upgrade" pun, intentional or not.
This is PERFECT timing! I'm just starting to plan a family trip to Australia and this is RIGHT up my alley. I've always wanted to go dune buggy-ing? (is that a word? now it is) and sand surfing. I had no idea I could do that in Australia. Definitely saving this for later.