We checked out from our hotel, Good Earth Hotel located at Adelaide Terrace, at 11am. That was the latest checkout time allowed. We decided to go on tour outback to Wave Rock in Hyden, about 340km from Perth. The journey took us along the wheat belt of West Australia.
We drove for more than 2 hours passing through wheat fields like this
From Perth, we drove on the Great Eastern Highway which took us to Midland and York. From York we took Great Southern Highway to Beverly and Brookton. We headed east to Corrigin, Kondinin, Karlgarin and finally Hyden. It was already dark when we got to Hyden, after more than 4 hours on the road. These are sparsely populated area. Karlgarin has less than 50 people. The population of Hyden, a tourist town known for its Wave Rock, had increased from 400 to 600 people.
It was already dusk when we got to Hyden
From Beverly, it was wheat lands all the way to Hyden. The farms stretched to as far as the eyes could see. There were not many cars on the road. The road narrowed at some stretches between Corrigin and Karlgarin. When there was another car coming from the opposite direction, we had to make way by driving partly on the gravel road shoulder.
By the time we arrived, there was no more room available at Wave Rock Motel. We were lucky to get a cottage at Wave Rock Resort, near to Wave Rock overlooking Lake Magic. The lake base is made of gypsum and the water is salty. It was like staying in the Australian bush. It must have been a scary experience for Anas. He kept asking me about the sounds coming from outside the cottage. The cottage was big enough to sleep 8 people. It was pricey too at AUD160 a night.
Anas at the Wave Rock
Wave Rock was the feature attraction of our outback tour. This granite cliff, is 15 metres high and 110 metres long.. Its rounded wave-like shape has been caused by weathering and water erosion which has undercut the base and left a rounded overhang.
There were other interesting features to see in the area, such as Hippo’s Yawn, the Breakers, the Town Dam, the Humps and Mulka’s Cave. The Lace Place claims to have the largest collection of lace on public display.
Hippo's Yawn, a rock formation that looks like the mouth of a yawning hippo
It was quite a long drive for the unique attractions. To me, it was not the destination, but the journey that I enjoyed the most. The vast wheat fields were quite a sight. It was a good Australian outback experience.
2 comments:
After i read your blog i am thinking to make Australia as my next destination. I really hope to play few round of golf there.
Seghonok tak sangga baca hang punya ceghita. Tak tau la bila aku bulih pi sana. Kalau umuq panjang, rezeki cukup, teghingin jugak nak pi....
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