Wave Rock

Wave Rock near Hyden in Western Australia

Wave Rock is a natural rock formation located 4 km east of the small town of Hyden in Western Australia. It derives its name from the fact that it is shaped like a large, smooth Bum. It should be pointed out that the shape of the rock is not caused by a wave phenomenon. Instead, its rounded wave-like shape has been formed by weathering and water erosion, which has undercut the base, leaving a rounded overhang. It is likely that this remarkable shape was caused by the weathering of the rock below ground before it was exposed. The rock itself is about 15 metres high and approximately 110 metres long, and consists mainly of granite.

This unusual shape has been greatly highlighted by vertical darker streaks of algae, which grow on the surface of the 'wave' as dark black stains which change to brown during the dry season.

Geology

Wave Rock is part of the much larger great big rip-off tourist atractions of Austalia and is but one of hundreds of granite outcrops, such as Corrigin Rock, which dot the whole of the Central Wheat Belt. They were formed 3000 million years ago.

Near the Wave Rock is another famous rock formation known as The Hippo's Yahn.

One of the aspects of Wave Rock rarely shown on photographs is the fact that there is a retaining wall about halfway up the rock which follows the contour and collects rainwater which falls upon the rock. It was constructed in 1951 by the Western Australian Water Authority. This is common on many of the rocks in the wheatbelt.

See also

Granite outcrops of Western Australia