Pinnacles Desert Sunset Stargazing Tour from Perth

Limestone spires glow gold and crimson as the sun drops behind the Indian Ocean.

This sunset-to-stargazing tour from Perth travels 1.5 hours north to Nambung National Park, where you walk among the Pinnacles Desert's otherworldly limestone formations at dusk, then settle in for a locally sourced picnic dinner and telescope stargazing under some of Western Australia's darkest skies. The guide leads the stargazing and explains constellations and planets. All park entry fees, transport from Perth inner-city pick-up points, and a telescope are included. Return to Perth between 21:00 and 23:00, depending on the season.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Pinnacles Desert2h · entry included
2. Nambung National Park1h · entry included

Pinnacles Desert Sunset and Stargazing

• Depart from Perth
• Stop at Guilderton Beach Lookout
• Explore Nilgen Nature Reserve or Hangover Bay
• Visit Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre
• Wander among Pinnacles limestone formations
• Enjoy picnic dinner at Hangover Bay
• Stargaze with telescope in Pinnacles Desert
• Return to Perth

The experience

The tour leaves Perth and heads north along the Coral Coast, stopping first at Guilderton Beach Lookout (a scenic stretch where white sand dunes meet turquoise water) before moving on to explore either Nilgen Nature Reserve's native bushland or Hangover Bay, depending on conditions. These early stops let you stretch and spot marine life offshore while the light is still high.

You arrive at Nambung National Park as the afternoon fades and most visitors leave. The Pinnacles Desert itself is a landscape of ancient limestone pillars rising from golden sand, each one shaped differently (some jagged spires, others rounded columns) all of them casting long shadows as the sun sinks. You walk among them at the moment the light shifts from gold to crimson, the colors changing minute by minute. The Discovery Centre at the park entrance explains the geology and Aboriginal heritage if you want context before or after.

As darkness falls, you settle in for a picnic dinner with locally sourced food and sparkling wine, eaten outdoors at Hangover Bay or nearby. Once night is fully down, the guide sets up a telescope and walks you through the constellations and planets visible that night. Western Australia's distance from major cities means the sky here is genuinely dark: no light pollution washing out the stars. The stargazing is the reason for the late return time. The tour times the sunset and the night sky to catch both at their best, which shifts with the season.

What’s included

• Comfortable air-conditioned transport from Perth inner-city pick-up points.
• experienced local guide leading the tour and the stargazing.
• all Nambung National Park entry fees.
• telescope and stargazing instruction.
• locally sourced picnic dinner with sparkling wine.
• text translation services available in selected languages.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 13:30 and 14:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 28

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcome

Operated by Wildlife Tours Australia

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're staying in Perth without a car or prefer not to drive: the pick-up from inner-city points and the fixed schedule mean the whole day is arranged, from transport to the late return. The 9-hour commitment and evening return suit travelers with a full day to spare and the flexibility for a late night.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How far is the Pinnacles Desert from Perth, and how much of the day is spent driving?

Nambung National Park sits about 1.5 hours north of Perth. The tour is 9 hours total, so roughly three hours is spent on the road combined, leaving the bulk of the day for the coastal stops, the Pinnacles themselves, and stargazing.

What exactly are the Pinnacles, and why do they look so strange?

The Pinnacles are limestone formations that rose from the sand over thousands of years, creating a desert landscape of natural pillars in all different shapes: some sharp spires, some rounded. They're one of Western Australia's most photographed natural sites, and their otherworldly look is strongest at sunset when the light turns them gold and red.

Is the stargazing part dependent on clear skies, or does it happen regardless?

The tour includes telescope stargazing and a guide who explains constellations and planets, but like all stargazing, it depends on weather and cloud cover. Western Australia's Coral Coast has genuinely dark skies far from city lights, which is why the timing is built around catching the best viewing conditions.

What's included in the picnic dinner, and are there dietary options?

Dinner is locally sourced food with sparkling wine, eaten outdoors at Hangover Bay or a nearby spot. Dietary requirements can be accommodated. Contact the operator when you book to specify any needs.

What time does the tour return to Perth, and does it vary?

Return time is between 21:00 and 23:00, depending on the season. The timing shifts to catch the best sunset and the clearest stargazing window, so summer returns are later than winter ones.