Cervantes Hotels

Cervantes is a town in Western Australia. The town is located 231 kilometres (144 mi) north north west of the state capital, Perth in the Shire of Dandaragan Local Government Area. At the 2006 census, Cervantes had a population of 503. The town was named after a ship that was wrecked nearby. The ship, in turn, was named after Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote. There is little industry in the town beyond fishing. The Pinnacles are nearby in Nambung National Park which makes for a small industry from tourism. Lake Thetis is a saline lake located nearby which contains stromatolites. The town is named after the American whaling ship “Cervantes”, a two masted barque, wrecked nearby on June 29th 1844. The introduction of scheme water, power and telephone in the mid-seventies attracted more businessmen, tradesmen and people seeking a quiet but comfortable retirement to the town. Cervantes features spectacular white, pristine beaches showcasing the beautiful turquoise ocean and visitors can enjoy many water activities including swimming, snorkelling, and diving, boating, fishing and exploring the off shore islands and reefs in the area. One kilometre south of Cervantes is Lake Thetis named after the sailing ship Thetis which surveyed the coast between 1847 and 1848. This tidal lake three metres deep and with double the salinity of the ocean has enabled Stromatolites to form over many, many years and these ancient living organisms are visible from the waters edge. Cervantes is the gateway to the world famous Pinnacles situated in the Nambung National Park, 17 kilometres south of the town. The visitor can view the Pinnacles by driving the 17 kilometre Pinnacles Drive through Nambung National Park or by booking a tour through the Visitor Centre. Drive the Pinnacles Loop for 3.5 kilometres to view these amazing natural structures that are formed from limestone created from ancient shells. They are particularly stunning in the glow of the setting sun or viewed at sunrise. Many native animals including birds and reptiles are more visible at these times