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. This rock was one of the main attractions in our last year Western Australia's South Coast trip.

Wave Rock stands 15 metres tall and 110 metres long; resembling a wave, frozen in time, on the verge of crashing into the sandy base below. The rock is suggested to be 2,700 million years old; which extraordinarily is pre-dinosaur era. This unusual shape has been greatly highlighted by vertical streaks of algae which grow on the surface of the “wave” as dark black stains which change to brown during the dry season. The shape of the wave is formed by gradual erosion of the softer rock beneath the upper edge, over many centuries. The Wave is not a separate rock, but an overhanging wall on the northern side of a granite outcrop known as Hyden Rock.

At the top of the rock:

A wall lies above Wave Rock and about halfway up Hyden Rock and follows the contours of the wall. It collects and funnels rainwater to a storage dam. Such walls are common on many similar rocks in this area.

We did a Wave Rock Walk Circuit to look at tafoni (big boulders like this):

Future Wave Rock:

On our way to the another attraction of thsi area, the Hippo Yawn:

Spring is in the air!

Hippo Yawn itself:

There is a Mulka Cave near the Wave Rock with some Aborigines pictures, but we hadn’t had enough time to visit the it. Our goal for the rest of the day was to get to the Esperance. Please see this post to read more about highlights on our way there.

Western Australia South Coast Trip Travel Notes

To sum up: the rock is well worth the long 4h drive from Perth. The walk circuit is quite short and easy. The best time to escape the crowds and have all rock for yourself is early morning or late afternoon. Please note that there is a small entrance fee, but if you staying at the nearest caravan park you will get a free pass.