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Lake Thetis Loop Trail, Cervantes

Trail difficulty
Trail difficulty
  • Length 1.5km
  • Est. time 1-3 hours
  • Circuit / loop
Today

18°C

21°

18°

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Trails WA supports the seven principles recommended by Leave No Trace Australia for minimising your impacts when using the trails.

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Enjoy an easy 1.5km loop walk around Lake Thetis and gain an insight into what life was like at the dawn of time.

Like the famous stromatolites of Hamelin Pool, in Shark Bay, these rock-like structures on the edge of Lake Thetis are built by micro-organisms too small for the human eye to see. Within the structures are living communities of diverse inhabitants with population densities of 3000 per square metre!

The thrombolite-building micro-organisms of Lake Thetis resemble the earliest forms of life on Earth. The discovery of modern examples helped scientists to understand the significance of micro-organisms in the environment and unravel the long history of life on Earth. Today living examples of these once completely dominant organisms are restricted to only a few places.

Pinnacles Visitor Centre

(08) 9652 7700

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Be trail ready

Here is everything you need to know before visiting this trail.

Time / Duration

Up to 1 hour

Length

1.5km loop

Trail Access

Road or bus to Cervantes. 1km from Cervantes town centre.

Trail Start

Just off Hansen Bay Rd, 1km from Cervantes town centre. 3 hours drive north from Perth.

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Trail End

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When to go

November to March when the stromatolites are easily accessible because the water level is at its lowest.

What’s the weather like?

Bush Walk

Class 2

Easy trail with modified or hardened surface, and gentle hills or occasional steps. Clear directional signage. No bushwalking experience required. May be suitable for assisted wheelchair users (if ramps are provided at steps).

What To Pack

Facilities

The first 300m of boardwalk is universally accessible.

  • Car Park

Today Jun 12, 10:18pm

18°C

Feels like 18°C

Max 21°

Min 18°

Precipitation: 100%

Visibility: 10km

Wind: 5.25km/h SE

Weather data provided by:

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1 trail goers have rated this trail as 3 out of 5!

We love to hear from people who've been on our Western Australian trails, so it would be most appreciated it if you wanted to leave a review.

Chelle Fisher

Reviewed 11 Sep 2022, 9:44am

Visited many times bringing people from overseas to see one of only a few places in the world with living marine thrombolites, or ‘Living fossils’.

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Trails are free and offer countless benefits to our community, from fostering fun and fitness to encouraging social connection, exploration, and personal challenges. These exceptional trail experiences are made possible through the support and collaboration of these great organisations and initiatives: