Pinnacles, Koalas & Sandboarding Tour Day Trip from Perth

Imagine a day filled with wild adventures and stunning landscapes—this is what you’ll get on the Pinnacles, Koalas & Sandboarding Tour from Perth. For $165 per person, you’ll spend around 11.5 hours exploring some of Western Australia’s most iconic sights. It’s a carefully curated mix of wildlife, geological wonders, and outdoor fun that suits travelers eager for a taste of authentic Aussie experiences.

We love that this tour offers plenty of varied activities—feeding kangaroos at Caversham Wildlife Park, photographing koalas, and then heading to the eerie Pinnacles Desert for a walk through otherworldly limestone formations. The highlight for many seems to be the exhilarating sandboarding down the massive white dunes of Lancelin, combined with a behind-the-scenes lobster processing tour and a classic fish and chips lunch.

One potential consideration is that the tour can be quite packed, and delays are possible, especially in soft sand dunes. It’s best suited to those who enjoy a full day of diverse activities and don’t mind a bit of a whirlwind itinerary. If you’re after a flexible, relaxed pace, this might feel a little hurried at times—but for a comprehensive taste of WA, it hits many high points.

If you’re someone who loves wildlife, striking landscapes, and outdoor adventures, this trip offers great value and memorable moments. It’s especially perfect for visitors with limited time who want to maximize their experience outside Perth’s city limits.

Key Points

Diverse experiences: From wildlife encounters to geological wonders and outdoor sports, this trip packs a lot into one day.
Expert guides: Multiple reviews praise the guides’ knowledge, storytelling, and friendly manner, making the day more engaging.
Authentic wildlife interaction: Feed kangaroos, see koalas, and get close to Australian animals in a natural setting.
Scenic landscapes: The Pinnacles and sand dunes are visually stunning, ideal for photos and nature lovers.
Good value for money: The tour includes entry fees, a hearty fish and chips lunch, and transportation—many say it’s worth the price.
Active outdoor fun: Sandboarding and 4WD dune driving are highlights, providing a thrill for adventure seekers.

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A Closer Look at the Itinerary

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Starting with Wildlife at Caversham Wildlife Park

The day begins with a transfer from Perth, heading into Swan Valley to visit Caversham Wildlife Park. Here, you’ll get a chance to see and interact with more than 200 species of animals, including koalas, wombats, and kangaroos, which you can feed by hand.

Travelers consistently praise this stop, with one reviewer describing it as “so nice to meet the animals and feed the kangaroos.” While some mention the visit is brief, it’s enough time to get good photos and enjoy the close-up wildlife encounters. This stop sets the tone for an authentic Aussie experience, giving you a chance to connect with native animals.

Lobster Industry Insight and a Classic Lunch

Next, the tour travels along quiet country roads to Cervantes, a small fishing town famous for its rock lobster industry. Here, you’ll take a behind-the-scenes factory tour of a lobster processing plant, learning how this local delicacy is caught, processed, and prepared for markets.

The lobster tour receives mixed reviews—some say it’s not the most exciting part, but most agree the fish and chips lunch afterward is satisfying. The lunch is included in the price and features freshly cooked fish, providing a hearty and authentic meal that’s a perfect fuel for the afternoon’s adventures.

Exploring the Pinnacles Desert

After lunch, it’s time to visit the Pinnacles Desert, an otherworldly landscape of tall limestone formations rising from the desert floor. The walk through this surreal environment is easy, making it accessible for most travelers. Many reviews highlight the stunning visual contrast between the yellow sand and the jagged pinnacles, which are best captured in photographs.

The desert’s eerie beauty and unique geology offer great opportunities for memorable photos. Some reviews mention that the views are simply breathtaking, and a few suggest bringing a fly net, as the area can have insects buzzing around.

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Dune Driving and Sandboarding in Lancelin

The adventure continues with a 4WD drive over the massive white sand dunes of Lancelin. This is where the tour earns its thrill factor. You’ll experience the exhilaration of dune bashing and downhill sandboarding—an activity that many find the highlight of the entire day.

Adrian, the guide praised in reviews, makes sure everyone is comfortable and confident. Sandboarding is accessible for beginners, and most people end up laughing and tumbling down the dunes. The ride over the dunes offers fantastic views and an adrenaline rush.

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Returning to Perth

After a full day of fun, wildlife, landscapes, and outdoor activities, the bus heads back to Perth via the scenic Indian Ocean Drive. The journey offers a chance to relax and reflect on the day’s highlights, with guides sharing stories and local insights.

What’s Included and What to Consider

The tour price of $165 includes round-trip transportation, entry fees, and a fish and chips lunch, making it a good value considering the comprehensive itinerary. The transportation is comfortable, with a modern coach or, depending on the group size, a 4WD vehicle for the dunes, which adds to the fun and authenticity.

However, hotel pickup is only available from selected Perth CBD, Northbridge, and Scarborough hotels. If you stay outside these areas, you’ll need to arrange your own transport to the starting point.

Travelers should bring comfortable shoes, a hat, a camera, and some cash for souvenirs or tips. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, infants, or those seeking a very relaxed, leisurely pace.

Authentic Experiences and Travel Tips

The wildlife encounters are genuine highlights. Feeding kangaroos and cuddling a koala are special moments that many reviews mention. The landscape of the Pinnacles is truly striking, offering a rare glimpse of natural formations that look almost alien.

The outdoor activities, especially sandboarding, are accessible and fun. Guides like Adrian and Pete are consistently praised for their local knowledge, safety tips, and friendly demeanor—big factors that elevate the experience.

The lunch offers a hearty break, and many travelers appreciate the quality of the meal, especially if you’re a fan of fresh seafood. The lobster factory tour might seem less exciting to some, but it adds a local industry perspective that many find worthwhile.

The Value of the Tour

This full-day trip is designed to give you a broad taste of Western Australia’s diverse attractions. For the price, you get multiple experiences—animals, landscapes, and outdoor adventure—all in one package. Many reviewers point out the good organization and friendly guides, making the day flow smoothly.

Who Should Consider This Tour?

It’s best suited for active travelers who enjoy outdoor activities, wildlife, and landscapes. Families with older children will find the sandboarding and wildlife encounters particularly engaging. It’s also ideal for visitors who want an efficient way to see a lot outside Perth without renting a car or planning multiple day trips.

If you’re looking for a relaxed, unhurried experience or traveling with very young children or pregnant companions, it might be worth considering a more leisurely option or customizing your own schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is hotel pickup available?
Yes, pickup is included from selected Perth CBD, Northbridge, and Scarborough hotels. If your accommodation is outside these areas, you’ll need to arrange your own transport.

How long is the tour?
The full-day tour lasts about 11.5 hours, including travel time and all activities.

What should I bring?
Comfortable walking shoes, a hat, a camera, and some cash are recommended. Don’t forget sunscreen and water.

Are infants allowed?
Infants aged 0-3 are free if traveling with an adult but cannot occupy a seat or eat on the tour. They are also not permitted on the 4WD dune part of the tour.

Is sandboarding suitable for beginners?
Yes, most people find sandboarding easy to pick up and fun, especially with guides like Adrian providing instructions.

What is included in the price?
The price covers transportation, entry fees, and a fish and chips lunch. Extras like souvenirs or additional snacks are not included.

How strenuous is the tour?
It involves some walking and outdoor activities, but it’s designed to be accessible for most. Be prepared for some physical activity during sandboarding.

Can I see wildlife up close?
Absolutely. Feeding kangaroos and cuddling koalas at Caversham Wildlife Park are intimate encounters many travelers cherish.

How scenic are the Pinnacles?
The Pinnacles Desert offers surreal, almost sci-fi scenery—tall limestone formations scattered across the desert floor, perfect for photos.

Is there free time at each stop?
The tour is quite packed, and reviews mention limited time at each location. If you prefer more leisure, consider a private or flexible tour.

Final Thoughts

The Pinnacles, Koalas & Sandboarding Tour from Perth provides a well-rounded day filled with wildlife, stunning landscapes, and outdoor fun. Guides like Pete and Adrian are consistently praised for their knowledge and friendliness, enriching the experience. The included lunch and entry fees make it a solid value, especially for those eager to explore Western Australia’s highlights efficiently.

While the itinerary is busy, it’s perfect for travelers wanting a taste of adventure and authentic Aussie sights in one day. If you’re comfortable with an active schedule and eager to see wildlife, deserts, and dunes, this tour is a fantastic choice.

For those seeking a relaxed pace or traveling with very young children, you might find it a little rushed, but overall, it’s a memorable, engaging, and rewarding day out that captures many of WA’s best features.

Whether you’re a nature lover, adventure seeker, or wildlife enthusiast, this tour offers an excellent snapshot of Western Australia’s diverse beauty. It’s a great way to make your short time outside Perth truly unforgettable.