Wildlife Tours Australia Pinnacles Desert Lobster & Yanchep Tour

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A day trip from Perth to the Pinnacles Desert, with morning tea at Yanchep's Chocolate Drops Tearoom, seafood at the Cervantes Lobster Shack, the ancient Stromatolites at Lake Thetis and a guided walk among the limestone spires.

Days

9.5 hours

Age

Ages 6 and up; under 18s with an adult

Group size

Small group, max 20

Start / finish

Perth / Perth
Perth, around 7:00pm

Return

Perth, around 7:00pm

Transport

Air-conditioned mini-coach with a driver-guide, inner-city Perth pick-up

Meals

Morning tea included; lunch at own cost

Route

Map of Wildlife Tours Australia Pinnacles Desert Lobster & Yanchep Tour

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Included experiences

Yanchep — morning tea at Chocolate Drops Tearoom
Cervantes — lunch at the Lobster Shack
Lake Thetis — boardwalk to the Stromatolites
Nambung National Park — guided walk in the Pinnacles Desert
Pinnacles Discovery Centre

Wildlife Tours Australia Pinnacles Desert Lobster & Yanchep Tour

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Itinerary

Map

MORNING: PERTH TO YANCHEP

Your day starts with a mid-morning pick-up in central Perth and an easy 45-minute drive north to Yanchep, whose name comes from a Noongar word for the bulrushes that grow around its lakes. Here you choose your morning tea stop. The Yanchep Lavender Farm is at its most colourful from late spring into summer, when the rows are in flower. The Chocolate Drops Tearoom makes its chocolates by hand. Morning tea is included at either one, with a taste of local produce at the café, and then it's back on the road north along the coast.

MIDDAY: CERVANTES AND THE LOBSTER SHACK

Cervantes is a fishing town named after the American whaling ship Cervantes, wrecked off this coast in 1844. It sits at the heart of the western rock lobster fishery, the most valuable single-species fishery in Australia. Lunch is at the beachfront Lobster Shack, a working lobster processing plant that also runs a restaurant, so the lobster on your plate has come a very short way. Lunch is at your own cost and at your own pace. Grab a table outside and watch the Indian Ocean while you eat.

AFTERNOON: LAKE THETIS AND THE PINNACLES

After lunch a short boardwalk takes you along the shore of Lake Thetis, a saltwater lake whose stromatolites have been dated at more than 3,000 years old. These low, rock-like mounds are built by microbes, the same kind of life that first filled the earth's air with oxygen. From about August to October the roadsides flower with banksias, bottlebrush and kangaroo paws. Then it's into Nambung National Park. At the Discovery Centre you learn how the limestone formed from ancient seashells, before your guide walks you out among the Pinnacles Desert, thousands of pillars, some more than three metres tall, standing in yellow sand.

LATE AFTERNOON: HANGOVER BAY AND HOME

The last stop is Hangover Bay, a sheltered white-sand beach a few kilometres north of the Pinnacles, inside the national park. It's a good place to stretch your legs and dip your toes in the Indian Ocean before the run home. The whole day covers about 420 km, so settle back as the coastal heath gives way to the northern suburbs. You're back in Perth at around 7pm.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Inner-city Perth pick-up point.
Finishes: Back in Perth around 7:00pm.
Minimum age: Not suitable for children aged 5 and under. Children aged 6–17 must be with a parent or legal guardian at all times.
Fitness: A moderate level of fitness is needed for the walks (about 1–2km) on uneven ground. Not suitable for travellers using wheelchairs, walkers, prams or strollers.
Please note: Space is limited: one small day bag per person, no large bags or suitcases. Please tell us about any medical conditions when booking. Routes and stops may change with weather, park access or road conditions.

What to bring

1L refillable water bottle
Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
Comfortable clothing for all weather, plus a raincoat, jumper or windbreaker
Closed-toe walking shoes with good tread
One small day pack, 5–7kg
Money for snacks and meals
Camera

What is included

Morning tea and local produce tasting at Yanchep
Guided Pinnacles walk
National park entry fees
Local driver-guide with live commentary, and text translation in some languages
Air-conditioned mini-coach
Inner-city Perth pick-up and drop-off

Not included

Lunch and other meals
Transfers from your hotel to the pick-up point
Travel insurance
Personal spending money

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.