Day 21: Mon 08 Apr 24 - Ravensthorpe to Wave Rock (Hyden)

Mon 08 Apr 24 - Ravensthorpe to Wave Rock (Hyden) (194Km)

16 feeling like 13 Deg, cloudy and a light shower at 0300 at Ravensthorpe, to sunny and 25 Deg with a moderate SE wind at Wave Rock.

It was an early and quiet night and we both slept very well sleep, until 03:00am when we were woken by light rain tapping on the roof. It didn't last long, and it wasn't even enough to settle the dust. After delivering Noel her coffee in bed, I stepped out for a wander around the quiet streets of Ravensthorpe, before returning and having some breakfast, then setting off for Wave Rock along Highway 40 (it has a few names). There isn't much to see along this road, apart from a never ending view of wheat and other grain farms, and a lot of salinity affected land. We enjoyed the drive nonetheless. 

The first town that we came to - Lake King, I obviously blinked because I drove straight past. First stop was about 77km from Ravensthorpe at the 'Stuck Truck' on a farm next to the highway, just for the photo. Our next stop was at Varley, a small town with its main industry being wheat, barley and grain farming. The town is also known for it's Rabbit Proof Fence. There were three fences built in WA between 1901 and 1907 to keep a plaque of rabbits out from the east. The longest,  No1. Fence stretched from near Ravensthorpe to east of Port Hedland in the north, and at 1833km, was the longest  unbroken fence  in the world.

Onwards we continued arriving at the Wave Rock caravan park at 1110, but after trying to check in, Noel was told to go away (nicely) and come back at 1200. So we drove around to the carpark in front of Wave Rock. Noel sat inside the van and had a bite to eat, while I went for a walk to see the wavy part of Wave Rock, and continued over the top for a look around. 45 minutes later I returned to the car, and we proceeded to check in. Our site has to be one of the largest I have ever stayed on in a caravan park - it is massive. Parking took minimal effort, and we were set up in no time, before going for a drive into Hyden a few km away to see what was on offer. Apart from some interesting sculptures, there is not much to see. We did spot a bakery which we may visit tomorrow. We returned to the van then both went for about a 2km walk over Wave Rock and along a track to the Hippo's Yawn (a large rock that looks like a hippo yawning), then we continued another 3.6km along the Wave Rock circuit through a fascinating salt lake landscape back to the caravan park. It was a lovely sunny afternoon, a bit windy at times, and the flies were very friendly, but we both enjoyed the almost 6km walk.

We returned to the van, and had a celebratory drink (end of another great day), before our normal nighttime routine. 


Morning walk around Ravensthorpe -We enjoyed our short overnight stay.

Morning walk around Ravensthorpe

Morning walk around Ravensthorpe. Too early for treats

Morning walk around Ravensthorpe - A colourful rose memorial garden

Morning walk around Ravensthorpe


The Stuck Truck - 77km from Ravensthorpe

An endless view of wheat farms


Varley Mosaic Trail

Varley Mosaic Trail

Varley Rabbit Cemetery

Varley Rabbit Cemetery (and Rabbit Proof Fence Info board)

Varley - Galahs feasting on grain

Wave Rock - 15m high and over 100m long. Believe to have begun forming underground about 60 million years ago.

Walk on top of Rock - Rock Pool

Walk on top of Rock

Walk on top of the Rock

Interesting rock formations on top of the Rock

Walk along the top of the rock

Walk along the top of the rock

Amazing colours in the wave

Hyden Sculptures - Russ and his bus

Hyden Sculptures

Hyden Sculptures

Hyden Sculptures

Hyden Sculptures


Hyden Sculptures

Hyden colourful wildflowers

Hyden colourful wildflowers

Hyden Sculptures


Surfing Wave Rock

Afternoon walk over the rock

Afternoon walk over the rock

Afternoon walk to the Hippos Yawn

Afternoon walk to the Hippos Yawn

Afternoon walk to the Hippos Yawn

Hippos Yawn

Walk along the Wave Rock Circuit over the salt pans

Walk along the Wave Rock Circuit over the salt pans


Walk along the Wave Rock Circuit 


Walk along the Wave Rock Circuit - beautiful blue water

Walk along the Wave Rock Circuit - looking towards the Rock

Walk along the Wave Rock Circuit

Walk along the Wave Rock Circuit - an original settlers farming fence standing in what has become salt pans


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