Overview
- Main Attractions: The Pinnacles at Nambung National Park, stromatolites at Lake Thetis
- Best Time to Visit: September to November
- Local Specialty: Seafood
- Travelled By: Rental car
- Cost: $$$
- Duration of Stay: Half a day
- Location: Western Australia
Author Reviews[display_rating_item_results rating_form_id=”4″ rating_entry_ids=”1″ show_category_filter=”false” show_options=”true” result_type=”star_rating” preserve_max_rating=”true” show_title=”false” show_count=”false” ]
Total Rating: [display_rating_result rating_form_id=”4″ show_count=”false” show_rich_snippets=true] [accordions load=”1″] [accordion title=”User Reviews” last] [display_rating_item_results rating_form_id=”5″ show_options=”true” result_type=”star_rating” preserve_max_rating=”true” show_title=”false” show_count=”true” show_rich_snippets=true] [/accordion] [accordion title=”Add Review”][display_rating_form show_email_input=”true” show_comment_textarea=”true” show_name_input=”true” rating_form_id=”5″] [/accordion] [/accordions]
Summary
The laid-back cray fishing town of Cervantes makes a pleasant day or overnight stop for enjoying the Pinnacles Desert at Nambung National Park as well as viewing the strange and unique biological formations, ‘stromatolites’ at Lake Thetis.
Cervantes: Our Experience
It’s Boxing Day and we have a 6am flight from Melbourne to Perth on Virgin Australia. I’m not a morning person but I’m bursting with energy because we have a 2-week road trip along the Coral Coast in Western Australia.
On arrival at Perth airport, we pick up our rental car and head to our first destination – Cervantes.
[singlepic id=4518 w=720 h=560 float=center]
Two hours along the scenic Indian Ocean Drive takes us to the cray fishing town of Cervantes and home to the Pinnacles Desert of Nambung National Park.
Regarded as one of Australia’s most unique landscapes, we can almost believe we are walking on the moon as we pass a series of eerie limestone formations sporadically scattered over vast yellow, rippled sand dunes.
[singlepic id=4519 w=720 h=560 float=center]
We take a detour 2 kms south of Cervantes to view another bizarre sight – Lake Thetis where you can view unique biological formations, ‘stromatolites’.
It’s midday and the temperature is over 35 degrees so we drive 20 kms to Jurien Bay to have lunch at the seaside cafe, Jurien Jetty Cafe.
We have plans to go snorkelling with sea lions in Jurien Bay Marine Park but a storm is approaching so there are no sea lion charters heading out for the day. We relax at the Jurien Bay beach for a while before making our way to Geraldton for the night.
[singlepic id=4520 w=720 h=560 float=center]
As we drive along the Brand Highway through the Greenough area, I have to keep a lookout for The Leaning Trees. Although most of the trees in the area are located on private property, I did spot one close to the Highway. We stop along the roadside car park to view and take the photo above.
The leaning trees are a bizarre natural phenomenon caused by the airborne salt content blown in with the winds off the Indian Ocean. The tree trunks lie horizontal to the ground and have become somewhat of an icon.
We arrive at Geraldton by early evening and check into our accommodation for the night, All Seasons, Geraldton.
Our first day on holiday has given us a taste of things to come — exciting outdoor activities, beautiful scenery and hot, dry days with a lot of driving ahead of us!
