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These strange rock formations are known as the Pinnacles.
They are found in the Red Desert area of
the Nambung National Park on the coast of
Western Australia north of Perth and just south of Jurien Bay.
It makes a nice day trip from Perth.
Some formations are several feet tall, others the size of a finger. The current theory is that the Pinnacles are slightly harder columns of limestone that formed around tree tap roots that penetrated deep into limestone formed within ancient sand dunes. Water is always active in limestone and calcite is thought to have been preferentially deposited near these roots. When the softer limestone was eroded away, the columns remained. (There is an older theory that the Pinnacles are the result of calcification of tree stumps from an ancient forest, once covered in sand and now exposed by shifting dunes.)
Cars (2WD) should follow the Brand Highway and take the Cervantes turn off. The road from Cervantes at the northern end of the park to the Pinnacles is 24km long and rough in parts where the base consists of limestone.
Four wheel drive tracks lead from Lancelin on the coast south of the park, past spectacular sand dunes, to Wedge Island and on to the southern boundary of the park (about 40km). Tide permitting, the beach can be driven north from Wedge Island to Grey - but you do not want to get bogged in the surf.
There is a "village" of fishermens' and holiday shacks at Wedge; rather like a scene from Mad Max there is at least one internal combustion engine (4x4, buggy, trail bike, mini bike etc) per man, woman and child. Watch out for vehicles (including Oka's) coming the other way. Sand flags (on whip masts) are popular fitments. The track from Lancelin passes through a military ordinance range and the West Australian newspaper prints warning of its being in use.
- L. A11ison 1996 -->
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