Wave Rock Hyden
Hyden is situated 340 kilometres or four hours' drive east of Perth, via the Brookton Highway. More than 100,000 tourists visit the town every year on their way to the famous Wave Rock. Wave Rock is just four kilometres east of Hyden on a nature reserve of some 160 hectares. The Rock is a granite cliff, 15 metres high and 110 long, shaped remarkably like a huge wave.
Geologists believe the original granite formation has been sculptured and coloured by weather, water and chemical erosion over 2.7 billion years to take on its wave like character.
Lady at Wave Rock, near HydenOther natural attractions in the area include Hippo's Yawn and Mulka's Cave. The Aboriginal art in Mulka's Cave is some of the best found in the southwest of Western Australia. The name Mulka comes from an Aboriginal legend associated with the cave. Mulka was the illegal son of a woman who fell in love with a man with whom marriage was forbidden.
Around Hyden in the spring (September to December), dozens of wildflower varieties produce carpets of colour, and more than 40 different species of birds, from the smallest wren to the large wedge tailed eagle, can be seen.
Hippo's Yawn rock formation, located near HydenThe area is rich in Aboriginal history: Many stone tools used by the Aborigines have been found and painted hand marks can still be seen on rocks at the Humps.
Sandalwood cutters are believed to have been the first white men in the area. The earliest farming was in 1922 and the descendants of these settlers still live in Hyden today. Wheat production started in 1927 and grain was carted to Kondinin until the railway from Lake Grace reached Hyden in 1932.
Accommodation in Hyden ranges from stylish motels and cottages to a caravan park offering onsite vans and camping sites. Budget accommodation is also available at the backpacker hostel.
Wave Rock is one of the many amazing rock formations found in Western Australia. It is situated near the small town of Hyden, about 350km east of Perth.
Wave Rock is a staggering 15 metres high, and stands in the form of a wave just about to break. There are other rock formations within the Wave Rock Reserve including Breakers, Hippo's Yawn, and the Humps. There is also some fantastic Aboriginal rock paintings within the Mulka's Cave, and an interesting museum inside the caravan parks small kiosk.
If you don't have your own transport you can get out to Wave Rock on the Westrail Bus, which travels to the rock on Tuesday and returns to Perth on Thursday.
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