Pinnacles Desert in July

April through September delivers the sweet spot - mild days, cool nights, and wildflowers if you time it right. August and September bring the best wildflower displays, when the desert floor erupts in yellow, purple, and white blooms. Summer (December to March) is brutal - temperatures hit 40°C and the sand becomes too hot to walk on comfortably. Winter mornings can be surprisingly cold, around 8°C, but warm up to pleasant 20°C afternoons. For photographers, the golden hours are magic year-round, but winter sunrise comes at a civilized 7am instead of summer's punishing 5:30am start. Weekdays see fewer crowds than weekends, especially during Perth school holidays when families descend en masse.