Travel Guide Cervantes

Located 200 km from Perth, this small fishing village is still alive thanks to the Pinnacles desert. The town owes its name to a ship that ran aground there, named after Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote. Another attraction not to be missed if you're in Cervantes: the stromatolites of Lake Thetis! As at Hamelin Pool, these rare stromatolites are the first living creatures on earth, and apparently played a key role in our own appearance! The biology lesson in the middle of the desert landscape is fascinating. The tour of the lake takes less than 30 minutes. Turn left 2 km from Cervantes towards Ocean Road.60 km inland, we also recommend Badgingarra National Park, especially if you're in the area between July and the end of September. Wildflower season is fabulous here, with flowers lighting up this relatively barren, almost treeless area. The 3.5 km Badgingarra Nature Trail is a beautiful walk. The park is close to the Brand Highway, which links Perth to Geraldton inland.If you've decided to take the coastal route via Lancelin to Cervantes, this road (Indian Ocean Drive) gives you direct access to the Pinnacles. To reach Geraldton, stay on the coastal road from Cervantes. It's a fairly easy drive and takes you through several fishing villages: Jurien Bay, Greenhead, Leeman and Dongara, all of which make pleasant stops.