Pinnacles Desert: Sunset Dinner & Stargazing Tour with Pickup

Summary

Sunset colors, sand dunes laughter and Dreamtime stories under stars

You’ll feel the desert shift from hot sun to cool night on this Pinnacles tour from Perth — sandboarding at Lancelin Dunes, tasting bush tucker plants, sharing a BBQ dinner as sunset hits those wild limestone spires, then listening to Dreamtime stories while you stargaze with telescopes beside your guide.

What’s the experience like?

We nearly missed our bakery stop in Lancelin because I got distracted by the smell of fresh bread — honestly, I was more excited about that than sandboarding at first. But then we hit those bright white dunes and, well, sliding down on a board is way harder than it looks. Our guide, Steve, just grinned and told us to lean back more. Sand everywhere — in my shoes for days. The sky already felt huge out there.

Later, driving north towards the Pinnacles Desert, the landscape turned this washed-out gold under the late sun. We stopped at either Nilgen Nature Reserve or Hangover Bay (can’t remember which — Steve decided last minute), and he pointed out these wiry little plants used for bush tucker by local Aboriginal people. I tried chewing one leaf; it tasted sort of sharp and green. There was this quiet moment where everyone just listened to him talk about how people have lived here for thousands of years — I didn’t expect to feel so small in a good way.

By the time we reached the Pinnacles, the light was doing that thing where everything glows sideways. We wandered between these weird limestone towers with our phones out, but honestly photos don’t catch it right. Dinner was an Aussie BBQ (sausages and onions mostly), sitting on folding chairs as the desert cooled off fast — bring a jacket, trust me. Someone spilled their wine laughing at one of Steve’s stories about emus stealing food; it felt like camping with strangers who might become friends.

When it got dark enough for stargazing, Steve set up telescopes and passed around binoculars so we could spot planets and clusters overhead. He told Dreamtime stories about how Indigenous Australians read the night sky — I still think about that part when I look up now. The air smelled like dry earth and eucalyptus tea from someone’s thermos. Didn’t see every star thanks to some clouds rolling through, but nobody seemed to mind much by then.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Pinnacles Desert sunset and stargazing

• Stop at bakery for toilet and food
• Drive to giant white sand dunes
• Try sandboarding and take photos
• Visit Nilgen Nature Reserve or Hangover Bay
• View Indian Ocean at Lancelin beach
• See Pinnacles Desert at sunset
• Enjoy BBQ dinner with wine
• Stargaze with telescopes and binoculars
• Hear Dreamtime night sky stories

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Pinnacles tour?

Yes, designated Perth CBD hotel pickup and drop-off are included based on your accommodation location.

Do you get dinner during the Pinnacles Desert sunset tour?

Yes, a traditional Australian BBQ dinner with one glass of Australian wine is provided during sunset at the Pinnacles.

Can you try sandboarding on this day trip?

Yes, sandboarding at Lancelin Sand Dunes is part of the itinerary before heading to the Pinnacles Desert.

Are telescopes provided for stargazing?

Yes, professional telescopes and astro binoculars are available for viewing planets and star clusters after dinner.

What should I bring for this Pinnacles sunset tour?

You should bring a bottle of water and warm clothes as it can get cold in the desert after sunset.

Is this tour suitable for children?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels; children under 7 require their own seats and restraints—contact operator when booking.

Does the tour run if it's cloudy or rainy?

The tour runs in most weather conditions but stargazing may be limited if visibility is poor due to clouds or weather changes.

What’s included

Your day includes designated Perth CBD hotel pickup and drop-off, all national park entry fees covered, sandboarding at Lancelin Dunes if you’re up for it, plus a traditional Aussie BBQ dinner with wine as you watch sunset over the Pinnacles Desert. You’ll also get use of astro binoculars and telescopes for guided stargazing afterwards before heading back in an air-conditioned vehicle.