Categories > Guides and Tips
An Outback Adventurer’s Guide to Wave Rock
- Things to Know
- How to Get There
- Where to Stay
- Wave Rock Caravan Park
- Wave Rock Resort
- The Quarters (formerly The Silos) - Wave Rock Short Stay
- Where to Eat
- Wave Rock Cafe
- Things to Do
- Wander through Wave Rock
- Scope out Aboriginal art at Mulka’s Cave
- Spot furry locals at the Wave Rock Wildlife Park
- See the colours of Lake Magic
- Snap a pic with the Hippo’s Yawn
- Snoop around the frills at The Lace Place
We’re no strangers to chasing waves, but what if I told you our most epic swell isn’t in the ocean…and is nearly 2.7 billion years old? Sounds mad, I know, but this is Western Australia, where the landscapes are otherworldly and downright weird.
For those who are squinting in confusion, we’re blabbering about Wave Rock. The best way to describe it is that it’s a massive, wave-ish granite cliff painted in sharp colours.
Want to know what’s wilder? It’s not the only oddity around Hyden. Just a few hops from it, we found ancient secrets and other quirky attractions, all mapped out in the guide below.
Things to Know
Address: Hyden
Contact Details: +61 8 9880 5160
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Travel Time from the Perth CBD: 3 hrs 44 mins (335.9 km)
How to Get There
By train and bus: Getting to Wave Rock from Perth via train/bus takes approximately 5 hrs and 42 mins, with a couple of transfers en route.
The first step is boarding the Midland Line at Perth Station, followed by disembarking at Midland Stn, and getting on Transwa’s Esperance bus.
After about 4 hours, you will exit at Kondinin-Hyden Rd Transwa Karlgarin. There, the only way to reach Wave Rock is via a 15-min taxi ride.
By Car: There’s an expansive car park at Wave Rock’s base. Don’t forget to buy the pass from the vending machines or the check-in office (this option is slower), as the National Pass doesn’t cover this spot.
Where to Stay
Wave Rock Caravan Park
From juicyjudy60
Address: 1 Wave Rock Rd
Contact Details: +61 8 9880 5022
Operating Hours: Daily – 8:30 am to 6 pm
Check-in: 2 pm
Check-out: 10 am
Pricing: $
Website
We ended up bunking at Wave Rock Caravan Park for two main reasons: convenience and comfort. It’s a minute from the granite formation, and the amenities aren’t too shabby for an off-grid lodging.
Since we were in pure adventure mode, we opted for an unpowered site, quietly sitting in the bush. It wasn’t a bad deal since the spot had tranquillity and great sights, and we still got access to the washrooms, camper’s kitchen, BBQs, pool, and playground.
You won’t be daft for booking a cushier setup, though. Those self-contained and air-conditioned cabins for four are pretty cosy.
Wave Rock Resort
From philthomas165
Address: 1 Wave Rock Rd
Contact Details: +61 8 9880 5022
Check-in: 3 pm
Check-out: 10 am
Pricing: $$
Website
Right by Lake Magic, Wave Rock Resort will give you an envy-inducing backdrop of turquoise waters and a circular white beach. It’s even on the posher end as far as bushland digs go.
Guests wake up in colonial-style, waterfront villas, all fringed by private courtyards. Better yet, you’re looking at two bedrooms that can house a group of six, with a kitchen and complimentary Wi-Fi to boot.
From here, Wave Rock is also a quick 5-minute drive or a scenic 26-minute walk. Most go for the latter to enjoy the golden hour best, or maybe to spot a few roos along the bush.
The Quarters (formerly The Silos) – Wave Rock Short Stay
From waverockshortstay
Address: 35 Alymore Road, Corner Aylmore Road, & Hyden-Lake King Rd
Contact Details: 0400 488 821
Check-in: 2 pm
Check-out: 10 am
Pricing: $$
Website
Smack dab where the old Hyden Abattoir used to be, The Quarters is a flash new setup. The view here looks out to Hyden and its nearby farmlands, with the townsite even lighting up at night.
What’s more, it’s bang on for both lone wolves and large groups, as you’ll be snoozing in 16 private rooms that sleep up to 22 folks. If there’s a glaring snag, it’s the not-so-pet-friendly policy (sorry, fellow fur parents).
Not a total bore, at least. You can watch TV in the shed room (once the boiler room) or maybe play table tennis…unless you’re scrolling through Insta on the Wi-Fi-powered communal zone.
Where to Eat
Wave Rock Cafe
From oorsee_app
Address: 114 Wave Rock Rd
Operating Hours: Daily – 9 am to 5 pm
Pricing: $
Honestly, the Wave Rock Cafe is up there as one of the funkiest joints we’ve eaten at. There are giant butterflies made of dried flowers on the wooden ceiling, and where else can you spot a vintage car next to an ice cream fridge?
Menu-wise, they dished out hearty, true-blue ‘bush meals.’ Like most, we had the signature Wave Rock burger, which hit the spot with its barbecue-y profile but was a tad pricey at $18.
The decadent vanilla slice, though, did get a lot of praise. The vanilla bean popped throughout the thick custard, the layers were flaky (not crumbly), and that glaze was silky smooth.
Things to Do
Wander through Wave Rock
From monsieurdavidoff
It makes sense to fully take in Wave Rock before checking out the rest. I mean, strolling through a 15-metre-high and 110-metre-long granite formation that resembles a gnarly swell will never not be mind-blowing.
On our trip, we took the classic Wave Rock Walk, a 3.6-kilometre loop that passed through bare trees and salty areas. The kid- and bike-friendly trail kicked off in the car park, and thank the heavens, signage was posted everywhere so there were no wrong turns.
We should’ve timed it better, though. A spring visit would’ve meant ambling alongside wildflowers!
Scope out Aboriginal art at Mulka’s Cave
From somersadventures
Address: Bates Rd
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Although Mulka’s Cave doesn’t feature good old stalactites (thanks to its granite core), it does have something better: lots of old Aboriginal art. How old, you ask? About 3,000 years old! So the word ‘prehistoric’ might be the better fit here.
Animal drawings and handprints were the most common pieces we found, the majority painted on the ceilings and a few scattered across walls. Just note that we had to wait until our eyes adjusted to the darkness; it’s not an art gallery, after all.
As for getting here, it was a quick 15-minute drive from Wave Rock (the road is sealed). Going the bus route is also an option, as most tour providers stop by the cave’s base.
Spot furry locals at the Wave Rock Wildlife Park
From wanderingwiththegreenlands
Address: Wave Rock Rd
Contact Details: +61 8 9880 5182
Operating Hours: Daily – 9 am to 5 pm
Website
As the name suggests, the Wave Rock Wildlife Park adds a wilder side to this already rugged bush getaway. Both native and exotic critters roam the three-hectare reserve, primarily kangaroos, the white, silver, and grey varieties.
Wallabies, water birds, donkeys, and koalas showed up, too, much to the delight of our mini wildlife experts. However, the bettongs (a small marsupial) and possums played hard to get.
On a positive note, picnic tables dot the park, a sweet perk for folks who bring their own grub. If you’re part of the ‘too lazy to picnic’ crowd, like us, rocking by Wave Rock Cafe isn’t a terrible move.
See the colours of Lake Magic
From australiasgoldenoutback
Address: Hyden
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Lake Magic is one of those rare places that truly lives up to its name. The changing of colours alone, all within a single day, proves it’s a truly ‘magical’ body of water, strange even.
And believe it or not, that’s not even the most uncanny thing about this natural saltwater lake. Just ask anyone who has tried diving into the water. Spoiler alert: that’s nearly impossible.
You see, the lake’s salt concentration is remarkably high, owing to its gypsum base. So, in other words, it’s not meant for laps but ideal for lazy floats, especially if you’re in the man-made pool beside it.
Snap a pic with the Hippo’s Yawn
From hike_australia
Address: Hyden
Still on the theme of weirdly accurate names, Hippo’s Yawn is another one that looks the part. And no, it’s a rock formation and not an actual hippo, but if you squint a bit, you’ll see the uncanny resemblance, open mouth and all.
We didn’t burn much petrol as well to reach its famous throat, where almost everyone stops for a photo op. From Wave Rock, it was only a two-minute drive (or a 10-minute walk if you can take the heat).
Snoop around the frills at The Lace Place
From uniq_reborn_babies
Address: Wave Rock Rd
Contact Details: +61 8 9880 5052
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Sat – 9 am to 5 pm
- Sun – 9:30 am to 5 pm
Centuries of needlework and serious detail—that’s why The Lace Place made the cut. Puns aside, this pit stop is a refreshing detour from all the red dirt, with laced creations, some stitched back in the 1600s, as the highlights.
Among the more curious pieces is Geraldine, a gold lace bikini, a square from Princess Diana’s veil, a bit from Queen Victoria’s gown, and a few fragments from a 1629 Dutch shipwreck.
Just around the corner also sits a museum dedicated to miniature figures, featuring about 10,000 toy soldiers straight out of Alec Smith’s treasure trove. Each display is arranged thematically, so don’t be shocked if you see a full-blown London parade on a table.
