Cervantes Western Australia
A popular weekend getaway for Perth residents and travellers heading up the West Coast via Indian Ocean Drive. The town has the quiet vibe of a seaside fishing community. If you want to see the world famous Pinnacles, Cervantes is your nearest place of accommodation.
At a Glance
Features uncrowded beaches and abundance of Australian wildlife including local Sea Lion colonies.
The best way to book Cervantes
Where is Cervantes?
Cervantes is 198 kilometres north of Perth.
Cervantes is situated just north of Perth and can be reached from the city in under 2 hours. The gateway town to the Australia's Coral Coast region, best reached by car on the Indian Ocean drive, a tourist road winding along the coast from Perth. Take a tour with Australian Pinnacle Tours to experience all of the natural wonders Cervantes encompasses. One of the best ways to get to Cervantes is hiring a car from Perth Airport, or flying to Cervantes airport.
Things to see in Cervantes
Pinnacles Desert
Located in the Nambung National Park to the south and east of Cervantes, this is the draw card attraction for the area. The Pinnacles Desert is one of the most unique geographical features in Australia and in the world. The lunar-like formations and yellow sand create an eerie and fascinating sight. The limestone formations are the remnants of an ancient seabed when the ocean's levels were higher than present day.
Image © Tourism Western Australia
Lake Thetis
This local saline lake contains the oldest “living fossils” on the planet. The Stromatolites here are estimated to be more than 3000 years old and can be viewed from the Lake Thetis boardwalk which is also a great vantage point to see many native Australian birds.
Image © Tourism Western Australia
Jurien Bay Marine Park
This area including the few islands offshore from Cervantes form the only major breeding area for Australian sea lions along the western coast of Australia. Lots of colourful corals grow in the area, although they don’t form reefs and the limestone reefs are a diver’s delight. Popular with scuba divers, snorkellers, swimmers, fishers, and has some great spots for windsurfers and surfers.
Image © Tourism Western Australia
Thirsty Point Bush Walking
Walkers and hikers will love the bush walking trail from Thirsty Point to Hansen Bay which has both beach and bush views, and where some of the best Cervantes wildlife and wildflowers can be seen. There are also trails near Kangaroo Point, Ronsard Bay and Hangover Bay park areas with scenic views, recreational areas and picnic facilities.
Image © Tourism Western Australia
What's the weather like?
Cervantes has a mediterranean climate. The weather is ideal during September and October when wildflowers are in season. Summer is hot but is good for going to the beach. Temperatures for the rest of the year is mostly mild and most rainfall occurs in the cooler Winter months of June through August. In Summer (December to February), the average maximum temperature is 29°C with an average minimum temperature of 17°C. In Winter (June to August), the average maximum temperature is 22°C with an average minimum temperature of 10°C.
Get to know Cervantes' history
Named after a ship that was wrecked nearby which in turn was named after Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote. European knowledge of the Nambung area dates back to 1658 when Dutch maps first recorded the North and South hills. Nambung is an Aboriginal word meaning "crooked" or "winding" and from this the Nambung National Park was named. Cervantes began its early life as a remote fishing village and first became a popular destination for the increasing population of Perth in the 20th Century. Today, the town survives as its own destination with the opening of the Indian Ocean Drive further increasing tourism investment.