When to go

What is the best month to visit the Pinnacles?

September to November for mild days and flowers, with October the sweet spot: highs around 23°C, little rain and the tail of the wildflower season.

Monthly averages from BOM station 009131, Jurien Bay, the nearest long-running station, 1969 to 2026:

Jurien Bay sits on the coast. The desert floor inland, with no shade, feels warmer than these numbers.

When are the wildflowers at the Pinnacles?

August to October, says the park authority. Banksias, everlastings and other flowers line the roads in and around the park.

Both DBCA and Tourism WA give August to October for Nambung. The Coral Coast FAQ gives July to September for the region in general. Flowering moves with the rain, so a wet winter brings a better show. The sunset tour's listing passes through wildflower country in the Nilgen Nature Reserve in season.

This year's season is in our 2026 wildflower post.

Is the Pinnacles Desert hot?

From December to March, yes. February averages about 31°C at the coast, the sand reflects the heat, and there is almost no shade among the pillars.

No fires may be lit in the park, and summer fire danger is often extreme. Bring more water than you think: DBCA's guide lists no drinking water in the park. In summer, go early in the morning if you are staying nearby, or in the last two hours before sunset. Skip the noon arrival in February. More in our summer 2026-27 post.

Are there flies at the Pinnacles?

Yes, in late spring and summer. Bush flies arrive in spring on easterly winds, peak in hot, dry weather and die out in winter. Pack a fly net from October to March.

There is no official Pinnacles fly advice, but the pattern across south-west WA is well documented by UWA researchers. Guests report the same: one German reviewer on the lobster tour had one tip, bring a face net. The dunes adventure includes a fly net in its listing. Wind helps, and so does late light: flies thin out as the evening cools.

Yanchep, an hour at the Pinnacles, half a lobster in Cervantes and sandboarding at Lancelin. A fly net is in the kit.

★ 5.0 · 10 hours · from $210

Explore the sand dunes adventure → Tour details

Does it rain at the Pinnacles?

Mostly from May to September. July is the wettest month, with about 111 mm and 13 rain days on average; December and January get about one each.

Winter brings the earliest sunsets, as early as 5:25pm, and cool days around 20°C. Pack a rain jacket from May to September and check DBCA park alerts before you drive in bad weather.

What is the best time of day to visit the Pinnacles?

The last two hours before sunset. Early morning is a close second if you stay in Cervantes. Midday is the worst light and the hottest.

Low sun brings out the yellow and orange in the limestone and throws long shadows. It is also when kangaroos and emus are about. Daytime tours tend to arrive late morning or around lunch, so the park is busier then. The full sunset calendar is in the sunset and stargazing guide.

How early should you get to the Pinnacles?

For sunset, 90 minutes ahead. For a daytime visit with the Discovery Centre, arrive soon after it opens at 9:30am, before the tour groups.

From Perth that means leaving around 7am for a morning visit, or about 3.5 hours before sunset for an evening one, allowing for a stop. In June that is around 2pm. In January it is closer to 4pm, and the drive home is in the dark. That trade-off is why the sunset tour sells best.

Frequently asked questions