One of the most stunning natural formations in the world, Wave Rock lies about 300 km east of Perth in Western Australia. It resembles a giant sea smell that has been frozen in stone. It is part of a solitary granite hill called Hyden Rock which is 2.63 billion years old. Both are situated in the 395-acre Hyden Wildlife Park.
Wave Rock stands 15 m high, 100m long and looks like a tall wave just about to break. Its formation has fascinated geologists and the public for years and is one of many interestingly shaped rocky outcrops in the area. Wave Rock is a granite inselberg that has been weathered over millions of years by wind and rainwater. Wave Rock is believed to have formed 2700 million years ago (well before dinosaurs strolled around).
The rock is a spectacular example of what geologists term a ‘flared slope’ that usually forms at the base of an inselberg or isolated mountain that towers over a surrounding flat plain. There are many similar flared slopes found in Australia but none as impressive as Wave Rock.
In 1928, the Public Works Department built a low wall above Wave Rock about halfway up the hill. The wall follows the contours of the rock and funnels rainwater into the Hyden Humps Dam 20 km away. The dam supplies water to the wheat-growing area surrounding the hill and to Hyden town.
Indigenous peoples believe that Wave Rock was created by the mythical Rainbow Serpent who dragged her swollen body across the land after drinking all the water.
Picture Credit : Google