Things to do in Cervantes, Western Australia

The best things to do in Cervantes, Western Australia, include snorkelling at Hangover Bay, the Cervantes Art Trail and seeing stromatolites at Lake Thetis. But most come for the Pinnacles desert in the Nambung National Park.

Cervantes, Western Australia, is a small coastal town, about half way on the drive from Perth to Geraldton. The town gets its name from a ship wrecked off the coast nearby. The ship was named after Don Quixote author Miguel de Cervantes.

Things to do in Cervantes, Western Australia: Hangover Bay

Cervantes can be used as a beach town – the Indian Ocean beaches here are white and sandy. But Jurien Bay to the north tends to be more popular. Hangover Bay, meanwhile, is popular with snorkellers and windsurfers.

In the town itself, you can follow the Cervantes Art Trail. This self-guided walking trail links together 23 pieces of public art, all linked to the town’s history and Spanish connections.

But Cervantes is best known for what’s nearby. On the way into town from Perth, you’ll pass Lake Thetis, one of the few places in the world where you can see stromatolites. These are examples of some of the oldest living organism on earth. They’re the same things you can see in greater numbers at Hamelin Pool in Shark Bay. The Hansen Bay lookout offers excellent views over Lake Thetis and Cervantes.

Things to do in Cervantes, WA: Nambung National Park

But top of the list of things to do in Cervantes is a trip to the Nambung National Park. Most of this national park is coastal heathland with impressive wildflowers in the spring months. But the only section most people care about is the Pinnacles.

The Pinnacles desert in the Nambung National Park near Cervantes, Western Australia. Photo courtesy of Tourism Western Australia.

The Pinnacles Desert is one of the classic day trips from Perth, and that’s largely because it is massively photogenic. Here, a series of rock formations poke out from the sand dune, creating a strange moonscape.

There’s a 4km driving trail through the Pinnacles, but they’re better taken in on the 1.2km walking trail.

Driving times to Cervantes, Western Australia

Geraldton to Cervantes: Distance 223km, driving time 2h23m.

Jurien Bay to Cervantes: Distance 27km, driving time 19m.

Kalbarri to Cervantes: Distance 379km, driving time 4h8m.

Lancelin to Cervantes: Distance 86km, driving time 52m.

Perth to Cervantes: Distance 197km, driving time 2h6m.

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