Cervantes, WA's Coral Coast

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Escaping into the outback is a true Aussie past-time. Whilst the south of Perth can offer beautiful forest, gourmet food and endless homemade alcohol, to experience the true coastal country, there is only one way to go.



Cervantes - a three hour drive north of Perth - is a gateway town to some of Western Australia's great natural marvels. Cervantes itself was only established in 1962 to serve the cray fishing and Nambung National Park tourism industries. The small town of 600 residents has all the necessities, including a country club, pub, restaurants and simple accomodation .

Whilst lazing around the village and its quiet 4x4 accessible beaches is nice, it's what's around Cervantes that you come here for. The most noteworthy attraction is of course the Pinnacles . The thousands of limestone pillars are quite stunning, and offer some of the best sunset photography on offer in Australia.



Just one kilometre south of Cervantes is Lake Thetis. There's three odd features about this lake. One is that it is tidal, indicating a possible underground link to the ocean. Two is that the lake is 1.4 times more saline than the sea it's fed from. The third, and most remarkable, is that Lake Thetis is home to some of the oldest living organisms in the world - breathing rocks. These rocks, called Stromatolites and Strombalites are some of the earliest oxygen breathing organisms recorded.

Further south are the historic fishing shack villages of Grey and Wedge Island. These shack communities are some of the last fishing communities in Australia - Wedge Island being the largest remaining. Made entirely of rustic metal shacks, the villages are now an amazing view into the simple, friendly neighbourhood lifestyle that has gone missing in 21st Century life.



North of Cervantes is Stockyard Gully and Mt. Lesueur National Park. The feature of Stockyard Gully is a 300 metre underground creek bed - self guided and a little unnerving, but well worth the walk if you can muster the courage. Mt. Lesueur National park is for the wildflower lovers. The scenic walk or drive passes through mile after mile of bright, vibrant bushland that remains in flower well beyond seasonal boundaries.

Hangover bay is a popular picnic destination. The pristine sandy bay is a haven for sea creatures including sea lions and dolphins. Nearby Black Peak and Sandy Peak are great places to park your 4x4 and get involved in the brilliant recreational fishing in the area. The town Jetty is another great spot for some bumper fishing, as well as the chance to spot hundreds of resident stingrays.



No trip to Cervantes is complete without tasting their local dish, more commonly referred to as Crayfish. Cervantes Crayfish is as fresh as you can possibly get, it's literally off the ship and on your plate. Normal crayfish is amazing, this is just a whole new level of taste satisfaction for crustacean lovers.

There is plenty of high octane fun to be had as well. From boat and kayak hire on the water to 4x4ing, sandboarding and Dune Buggys through the sand dunes Cervantes more than has you covered. Just North of Cervantes - in Jurien Bay - is the highest sky dive in Australia , featuring a whole minute's free fall over the pristine Coral Coast.



So for endless outback attractions, incredible fishing and some of the freshest seafood around Cervantes is a must see destination. This cozy little country outpost is the gateway to the best locations the Central West Coast of Australia has to offer. Everything from the drive up along Indian Ocean drive to the simple town beach is worth a photo and an endless memory.

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