Australia

The Pinnacles

The Pinnacles were not discovered until the 1960’s in Australia. It was added to Nambung National Park to preserve the unique natural formation. On an average 250,000 visitors throng it. The best time to go here is from August to October when wildflowers bloom. It is best viwed in the early morning light or late afternoon. The Park is also rich in its wildlife population and you can find here Knagaroos and emus which are endemic to the region. The raw material here is sea shell that have been left by from an earlier epoch when the area was rich in marine life.By the forces of nature these shells were broken down into sands which were rich in the lime content.They formed mobile dunes. Others say that they were formed due to the leaching of lime from wind blown sand. Rain cemented the lower levels into soft limestone. Some of them are shaped like tombstone , others like termite mounds and fingers.

The Nambung National Park preserves this natural wonder of The Pinnacles. These formations are not concentrated in one area but scattered throughout the sand dunes.It will take you a three hours drive from Perth. Nearby is the fishing town of Cervantes.They were named after the river Nambung which in local aboriginal language means crooked. A 26 kilometer long coastline stretches from the sand dune .There are also limestone caves in the area. The area looks beautiful and strange at the same time when in August to October the rain falls. The wildflowers bloom during this period. The sheer contrast of the limestone formation with the colorful flowers adds a touch of mystery to the place.

The Hangover Bay in The Pinnacles is a perfect stopover. The place also provides opportunities for snorkeling and swimming. Surfing is also done here. The other important location here is the Kangaroo Point where toilets,barbeque facilities are available. Larger vehicles are not allowed in the Park. Conventional two wheelers are the preferred choice.The whole area looks like some area from another planet. There are no camping facilities in the area. You need to come prepare with sun block, tough walking shoes, and water bottle. The Dongara and Port Denison Beaches in the National Park are ideal for swimming and water sport activities.In the Fisherman’Memorial at Port Denison there is one obelisk remaining out of the original two of 1869.