Updated in September 2026, this Thirsty Point Lookout guide covers access, hours, parking or transport, accessibility and what to see.
Thirsty Point Lookout is a free coastal lookout at the end of Seville Street in Cervantes, Western Australia. As of September 2026, it is also the southern end of the Thirsty Point Trail, a 1.88 km coastal walking track to Hansen Bay Lookout.
Thirsty Point Lookout quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Open access at all times. There is no gate and no set opening or closing time. |
| Entry fees | Free. |
| Address | Seville Street, Cervantes, Western Australia 6511 |
| Nearest transport or parking | Car park at Thirsty Point, at the south-west end of Seville Street. Integrity Coachlines stops at Cervantes Post Office, about a 20-minute walk away. |
| Typical time needed | 15 to 30 minutes at the lookout. Allow 1 to 3 hours for the full trail to Hansen Bay Lookout and back. |
Thirsty Point Lookout opening hours
Thirsty Point Lookout is an outdoor site with no gate, so it has no set opening or closing hours. Visitors can access it at any time of day, though the boardwalk and track are easiest to see in daylight.
Trails WA, the state government’s trails information service, lists the adjoining Thirsty Point Trail as accessible any time of year. No seasonal closures are published for the lookout or the trail.
Thirsty Point Lookout entry fees
Thirsty Point Lookout has no entry fee. Opening hours and access details were checked on the official Trails WA page and last updated in September 2026.
How to get to Thirsty Point Lookout
Thirsty Point Lookout is at the end of Seville Street, in the town of Cervantes. Cervantes is about 200 km north of Perth, roughly a two-hour drive along Indian Ocean Drive.
Integrity Coachlines runs a scheduled coach service between Perth and Cervantes, stopping at Cervantes Post Office on Cadiz Street. From there, it is about a 20-minute walk to the lookout. There is no local public transport within Cervantes itself.
Parking at Thirsty Point Lookout
A car park is at Thirsty Point, at the south-west corner of the trail, reached by driving to the end of Seville Street. A second car park serves Hansen Bay Lookout at the trail’s other end, off Hansen Bay Road.
How long to spend at Thirsty Point Lookout
Allow 15 to 30 minutes to walk the boardwalk and take in the view from the lookout itself. Trails WA lists the full Thirsty Point Trail, one way to Hansen Bay Lookout, at 1 to 3 hours for the 1.88 km return walk.
Walkers can extend the outing further by continuing along Hansen Bay Road to Lake Thetis, then looping back into town along Cervantes Road.
Accessibility at Thirsty Point Lookout
Trails WA classifies the Thirsty Point Trail as Class 2: Easy. This means a modified or hardened surface, with gentle hills or occasional steps, clear directional signage, and no bushwalking experience required. It may suit assisted wheelchair users where ramps are provided at steps.
The trail starts on firm gravel from the Thirsty Point car park, before becoming a sandy track. Most of it is flat or gently sloping, apart from a short climb up to the lookout. Stairs lead down to the car park at the Hansen Bay Lookout end of the trail. The trail is dog friendly.
What to see at Thirsty Point Lookout
A wooden boardwalk leads through the coastal sand dunes to the top of the lookout. From here, visitors get panoramic views over the Indian Ocean, Cervantes Bay and the town.
The lookout also carries information panels on the local history, including the town’s Spanish-linked name and nearby shipwrecks. It is a well-known spot to watch windsurfers and kite surfers on the bay below, and for Indian Ocean sunsets.
The beach at Thirsty Point has white sand and is popular for shore fishing. Waves here suit surfing at times, and the water is generally shallow and clear.
Walkers who continue along the Thirsty Point Trail pass native coastal vegetation, with wildflowers typically in bloom between August and October. The trail ends at Hansen Bay Lookout, with further views over the ocean, Lake Thetis and the townsite.
Practical visitor tips
| Topic | Tip |
|---|---|
| Timing | Arrive at least an hour before sunset for the best light over the ocean. |
| Crowds | The lookout is a short stop for most visitors, so it rarely feels crowded outside peak holiday periods. |
| Layout | The trail can be joined from either end, or partway along, so pick the direction that suits your return transport. |
| Entry process | There is no gate, ticket or check-in. Simply park and walk in from either car park. |
| On-site logistics | Bring water and sun protection, since there is little shade along the trail. |
Frequently asked questions about Thirsty Point Lookout
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Thirsty Point Lookout suitable for children? | Yes. The boardwalk and lookout are a short, easy walk, and the beach below suits family visits. |
| Do you need to book in advance for Thirsty Point Lookout? | No. There is no booking system, ticket or entry fee. |
| Is Thirsty Point Lookout open on Sundays? | Yes. It has no set days or hours, and is accessible every day. |
| Are dogs allowed at Thirsty Point Lookout? | Yes. Trails WA lists the Thirsty Point Trail as dog friendly. |
| Can you swim at Thirsty Point Lookout? | Yes. The beach below the lookout has clear, generally shallow water. |
Things to do near Thirsty Point Lookout
- Hansen Bay Lookout: The northern end of the Thirsty Point Trail, with views over the ocean, Lake Thetis and the town.
- Lake Thetis: Home to living thrombolites, reachable by a detour from the trail or by car. A 200-metre boardwalk is universally accessible. Dogs are not permitted here.
- Lobster Shack: A working lobster processing facility in Cervantes, with factory tours and a seafood restaurant.
- Kangaroo Point: A beach for launching boats, shore fishing and picnics, with barbecues, shelters and toilets.
- Hangover Bay: A beach north of town for snorkelling, surfing, fishing and windsurfing.
Alternative attractions
All five are in Western Australia and within a 2.5-hour drive of Cervantes.
- The Pinnacles, Nambung National Park: Thousands of limestone pillars rising from yellow sand, reached by a 4 km drive loop or a 1.2 km walk. Park entry fees apply, and dusk is the best time to visit.
- Molah Hill Lookout: A lookout between Cervantes and Jurien Bay, with views of native bushland and the ocean.
- Lancelin Sand Dunes: White sand dunes near Lancelin, popular for sandboarding.
- Yanchep National Park: A national park with caves, wildlife and walk trails, closer to Perth. Park entry fees apply.
- Turquoise Coast Visitor Centre, Jurien Bay: A visitor centre for the wider region, about 28 km north of Cervantes.
More Coral Coast travel
Other Coral Coast travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Guide to tackling the Three Bays Walkway in Green Head.
- A tale of mutiny and murder on the Houtman Abrolhos Islands.
- How to visit the Kalbarri Skywalk in Kalbarri National Park.
- The extraordinary history of the Hamelin Pool stromatolites in Shark Bay.
- An adventure to Inscription Point on Dirk Hartog Island, Shark Bay.
