Two worlds in one long day. I love how this Perth trip pairs the calm of New Norcia with the eerie limestone forms of Pinnacles. You get a real town guide in New Norcia, then a walk through Nambung National Park where the sand and rock feel almost otherworldly.

What I like most: you’re not just sightseeing—you get to tour the abbey town and museum area, then shop for monastery-made food like olive oil, nut cake, fruit wine, and fresh bread. The other win is the included fish and chips lunch in New Norcia, so you’re not hunting for food on the road. The only big thing to watch is the time: it’s a long day, and your Pinnacles time is relatively short, so bring your patience (and water).

Key takeaways before you go

• Abbey town with a guided tour in New Norcia, plus time at the museum/art gallery area
• Monastery-made goodies you can browse and buy, including bread and fruit wine
• Pinnacles in Nambung National Park with an included park stop and lookout/walk time
• Included fish and chips lunch in New Norcia, which keeps the day from turning into meal math
• Live onboard commentary from the driver, with drivers often praised by name (Tomas, Paul, John, David, Jeff)
• A long drive day with limited time at each main stop—great if you want both sights, less ideal if you want hours at one

Why this Perth day trip mixes abbey life with desert sand

This is one of those tours that works because it doesn’t try to cram in five random stops. You’re doing two main acts: New Norcia (a Benedictine monastery town) and the Pinnacles (limestone stacks rising out of sand). That contrast is the point.

I also like that it’s structured. You start with hotel pickup and live commentary, then you’re dropped into New Norcia with an actual local-style town tour. After lunch, you shift gears to the desert, where you can take in the formations at a slower walking pace rather than just driving past them.

Price and logistics: what $179.31 buys you

At $179.31 per person, this isn’t the cheapest option from Perth—but you’re paying for convenience and time management. You get hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, live onboard commentary, and entrance coverage for key parts of the day (including Nambung National Park). You also get an included lunch, which is a real help on a day that runs roughly 11 hours 30 minutes.

A few practical details matter here:

• Group size is capped at 48 travelers, which usually keeps things from feeling like a cattle call.
• Pickup is from Crown Perth Food Court (Great Eastern Hwy, Burswood), and the start time is 8:00 am.
• You should be ready for a true full-day schedule, with plenty of driving between the two main areas.

If you hate long coach days, you’ll need to decide if you’re okay being on the road for most of the daylight. But if you want a guided “best of” day without planning a separate itinerary, the value starts to make sense.

New Norcia: the Benedictine Abbey town stop that sets the tone

New Norcia is the sort of place where the architecture and atmosphere do half the talking. The tour time here is built around a guided town experience, including the monastery-focused history and how the community works today.

You get:

• A guided New Norcia town tour with a local guide
• A stop for the New Norcia Museum & Art Gallery, with admission included
• Time to browse a museum-style collection of artifacts and a town setting shaped by the abbey

Why it’s worth your time: New Norcia isn’t just a pretty town sign. It’s Australia’s only Benedictine Abbey town, and the whole day’s vibe shifts from typical Western Australia road-trip energy into something quieter and more reflective.

Museum time and monastery shopping: what to look for

At the New Norcia Museum & Art Gallery, you’re there for the artifacts and the art/history side of the abbey story. It’s also where you’ll get a better context for what you see later in the town shops.

Then comes the part I think most people really enjoy: monastery-made products. You’ll have a chance to purchase items such as:

• olive oil
• nut cake
• fruit wine
• fresh-baked bread

This is the kind of souvenir that doesn’t feel like random shelf clutter. If you’re the type who likes edible gifts, a few bottles or tins can turn this day trip into something you’ll actually use after you get home.

One caution: if the day runs late, you may feel like the abbey/museum element can get rushed. In that case, focus on the parts that interest you most—don’t try to read everything at once.

Fish and chips in New Norcia: a practical included meal

Lunch is included and it’s fish and chips in New Norcia. On a long day, I value meals that keep you moving. It means you can show up at the next stop fed instead of hunting down a restaurant with limited time.

That said, meal quality reviews are mixed. Some people were happy with lunch; others wished it had been more satisfying or better presented. If you’re picky about food texture or temperature, consider bringing a snack you like for backups, especially if you tend to get cranky when the clock is running.

Also: this is Western Australia in a full-day itinerary. Even if lunch is included, pack extra water and basic sun protection—your best comfort hack is staying ahead of the heat.

Pinnacles Desert in Nambung National Park: how to make your hour count

Then you head to Nambung National Park to see the Pinnacles—limestone formations that rise eerily out of sand dunes. The tour gives you time for either a lookout view and/or a short walk area where you can get closer to the formations.

Key expectations:

• Your Pinnacles stop is about 1 hour.
• Admission to the park area is included.
• You’ll be walking on sand and gravel-type footing, so wear shoes that won’t punish you halfway through.

The Pinnacles are genuinely worth the detour. The best way to enjoy a short stop is to slow down once you find a viewpoint you like. Take a minute to look at scale—some of these towers are taller than you expect, and the scattered layout makes the whole area feel random in a good way.

Heat is the other big reality check. Even if the forecast looks friendly, plan as if it’s warm. Reviews repeatedly mention needing proper hydration, and you’ll feel it fast out there.

The wildflower-related stop: helpful context, mixed payoff

This tour can include a wildflower stop connected to wildflower selling (often described as a farm/exporter-style stop). Here’s the honest way to handle it: if you’re traveling outside the main bloom period, it may feel more like a shop visit than a true wildflower experience. Some people reported dusty souvenirs, limited actual bloom, and short, rushed commentary.

On the other hand, if you’re lucky with timing, this kind of stop can add context for how the region’s wildflowers are collected, processed, or marketed. And for some travelers, the lunch arrangement at this stage of the day has been a highlight.

My advice: don’t build your day-trip expectations around wildflowers. Treat it as an optional side chapter that may or may not match your ideal version of Australia’s spring/summer color.

The drive experience: live commentary can make or break the day

On a day this long, your guide isn’t a side character. Live onboard commentary is included, and many departures have drivers who are praised for keeping things interesting.

People have specifically mentioned drivers such as:

• Tomas
• Paul
• John
• David
• Jeff

Common themes in the feedback: the commentary covers early settlers, local fauna and flora, and—when you’re moving through the Pinnacles area—how the geology formed those limestone structures. It’s the kind of information that helps your eyes connect the dots while you’re stuck in traffic and not yet at the viewpoint.

One practical note: most rides are described as comfortable, but air-conditioning issues pop up in a few reports. If you run hot, dress in layers and bring a light outer layer you can adjust when the bus switches from parked to moving.

How much walking and how active is it?

This isn’t an all-out hiking day. Still, you should plan for some walking through:

• a desert environment with sandy ground
• museum/town areas where you’ll likely do short stretches between points

The tour says it’s best suited for moderate physical fitness. If you’re fine with an hour or so of uneven footing (and you’re willing to take your time), you’ll be okay.

If you have mobility challenges, tell yourself up front that the schedule is tight and the transitions between stops happen at a coach pace.

Who should book this tour (and who should skip it)

I’d point this tour at travelers who want a structured day with two clear winners: New Norcia and the Pinnacles. It’s also a good fit for families and first-timers to Western Australia who don’t want to drive themselves across long distances.

It might not be your best pick if:

• you want more than an hour at the Pinnacles and hate short stops
• you’re traveling when wildflowers aren’t in bloom and would feel disappointed by a shop-focused stop
• you strongly prefer one anchor attraction over a combo day

Should you book Australian Pinnacle Tours for New Norcia and Pinnacles?

If you want both experiences—Benedictine town stories plus desert rock drama—this is a solid way to do it without planning. The included museum time, monastery shopping, guided New Norcia town segment, park entrance, and fish and chips lunch make it feel like a complete day rather than a “transport package.”

But go in with the right expectations. It’s a long day, and the desert stop is time-limited. If you’re the type who likes lingering for hours for photos and wandering, you might wish for more time at the Pinnacles.

My rule of thumb: book it if you want a well-managed, guided full day with two standout destinations. Consider other options if you’d rather spend more time at just one sight and you dislike being on a coach for most of the day.

FAQ

How long is the Pinnacles Desert & New Norcia day tour from Perth?

It runs for approximately 11 hours 30 minutes.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 8:00 am.

Where do I meet the tour?

The meeting point is Crown Perth Food Court, Great Eastern Hwy, Burswood WA 6100, Australia.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Perth are included.

What lunch is included?

Lunch is fish and chips in New Norcia.

Are any entrance tickets included?

Yes. Entrance fee to Nambung National Park is included, and admissions for the New Norcia museum and the Pinnacles are listed as included.

Does the tour include a guide or commentary?

You’ll have a driver/guide and live onboard commentary during the journey, plus a local guide for the New Norcia town tour.

How many people are on the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 48 travelers.

What should I bring for the Pinnacles stop?

You should plan for heat and sandy conditions. Reviews point out the need to hydrate well.

What if the tour is canceled due to weather or minimum group size?

If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. It can also be canceled if a minimum number of travelers isn’t met, with a different date/experience or a full refund.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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