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Make an Enquiry / BookingWave Rock & The Pinnacles
Waverock
The Wave on Hyden Rock is one of Australia's most famous landforms, a giant surf wave of multicoloured granite about to crash onto the bush below. Stand under it and feel rock power from over 2,700 million years ago, before dinosaurs roamed the earth!
Wave Rock, a granite cliff, is 15 metres high and 110 metres long. Its rounded shape has been caused by weathering and water erosion which has undercut the base and left a rounded overhang. This happened about 60,000,000 years ago when it was exposed. Water from the springs running down the rock during wetter months dissolve minerals adding to the colouring of the wave. In 1960, some crystals from Hyden Rock were dated as being 2700 million years old, amongst the oldest in Australia.
While the Aborigines were the first to inhabit the area, it is believed that they gave the district a wide berth during the past century and a half for fear of the spirit of Mulka. Many stones used by the aborigines have been found on their campsites throughout the area. Painted handmarks can still be seen on rocks at the Humps and Wave Rock. Both of these rocks have water catchments to serve the local community and tourist trade.
The Pinnacles
In the Pinnacles Desert, right in the heart of Nambung National Park, thousands of huge limestone pillars rise out of a stark landscape of yellow sand. In places they reach up to three and a half metres tall. Some are jagged, sharp-edged columns, rising to a point; while others resemble tombstones.
The raw material for the limestone of the pinnacles came from sea shells in an earlier epoch rich in marine life. These shells were broken down into lime-rich sands which were brought ashore by waves and then carried inland by the wind to form high, mobile dunes. Three old systems of sand dunes run parallel to the WA coast, marking ancient shorelines.
The formation of the Pinnacles would have taken many thousands of years, they were probably only exposed in quite recent times. Aboriginal artefacts at least 6,000 years old have been found in the Pinnacles Desert despite no recent evidence of Aboriginal occupation. This tends to suggest that the Pinnacles were exposed about 6,000 years ago and then covered up by shifting sands, before being exposed again in the last few hundred years. This process can be seen in action today - with the predominantly southerly winds uncovering pinnacles in the northern part of the Pinnacles Desert but covering those in the south. Over time, the limestone spires will no doubt be covered again by other sand drifts and the cycle repeated, creating weird and wonderful shapes over and over again.
The Wave on Hyden Rock is one of Australia's most famous landforms, a giant surf wave of multicoloured granite about to crash onto the bush below. Stand under it and feel rock power from over 2,700 million years ago, before dinosaurs roamed the earth!
Wave Rock, a granite cliff, is 15 metres high and 110 metres long. Its rounded shape has been caused by weathering and water erosion which has undercut the base and left a rounded overhang. This happened about 60,000,000 years ago when it was exposed. Water from the springs running down the rock during wetter months dissolve minerals adding to the colouring of the wave. In 1960, some crystals from Hyden Rock were dated as being 2700 million years old, amongst the oldest in Australia.
While the Aborigines were the first to inhabit the area, it is believed that they gave the district a wide berth during the past century and a half for fear of the spirit of Mulka. Many stones used by the aborigines have been found on their campsites throughout the area. Painted handmarks can still be seen on rocks at the Humps and Wave Rock. Both of these rocks have water catchments to serve the local community and tourist trade.
The Pinnacles
In the Pinnacles Desert, right in the heart of Nambung National Park, thousands of huge limestone pillars rise out of a stark landscape of yellow sand. In places they reach up to three and a half metres tall. Some are jagged, sharp-edged columns, rising to a point; while others resemble tombstones.
The raw material for the limestone of the pinnacles came from sea shells in an earlier epoch rich in marine life. These shells were broken down into lime-rich sands which were brought ashore by waves and then carried inland by the wind to form high, mobile dunes. Three old systems of sand dunes run parallel to the WA coast, marking ancient shorelines.
The formation of the Pinnacles would have taken many thousands of years, they were probably only exposed in quite recent times. Aboriginal artefacts at least 6,000 years old have been found in the Pinnacles Desert despite no recent evidence of Aboriginal occupation. This tends to suggest that the Pinnacles were exposed about 6,000 years ago and then covered up by shifting sands, before being exposed again in the last few hundred years. This process can be seen in action today - with the predominantly southerly winds uncovering pinnacles in the northern part of the Pinnacles Desert but covering those in the south. Over time, the limestone spires will no doubt be covered again by other sand drifts and the cycle repeated, creating weird and wonderful shapes over and over again.
Itinerary
Wave Rock & The Pinnacles
0700 - Hotel pickup and transfer to Jandakot Airport.
0730 - Depart Jandakot in our high wing Cessna aircraft that provides everyone with unlimited views of the scenic landscape. Our flight takes us south east into the Heartlands. Blessed with a diversity of landscapes comprising golden paddocks of wheat dotted with historic settlements forge the unique character of this region.
0830 - As we descend into Hyden you�ll see the Rock emerge from otherwise flat landscape. Our local guide will be there to greet us and thus we begin our walking tour on this uniquely shaped granite formation that�s over 2,500 million years old. It is streaked with vertical bands of rusty red and sandy grey, resembling the rolling movements of the sea. Take a photo while riding this 15-metre high granite formation.
Our next stop is the Wave Rock Country Kitchen to enjoy morning tea before viewing the Wildlife Park that�s home to native Australian animals including white kangaroos, koalas, emus & reptiles � you will never get as close. Visit the Lace Palace and shop in the gift store before our departure for Pinnacles.
1100 - Depart Hyden for the seaside town of Cervantes founded in 1962. It�s best known for the unique Pinnacle Desert and abundance of flora and fauna in Nambung National Park. Rock Lobster is what this town exports, nearly 600,000 kilograms are caught during November to June and sent to Asia, Japan and America. The town was named after the American whaling ship Cervantes that was wrecked on a small island in 1844.
1230 - On arrival, our 4WD and tour guide will be there to meet us and transfer us to the local tavern for some great Aussie pub food. Our next stop is the eerie Pinnacles made up of spears of limestone that rise from the lunar landscape in this golden desert setting. Your guide will explain the geology and myths surrounding these unusual formations and their popularity with so many people. On our return to the airstrip you are guaranteed to see wild kangaroos and emus checking us out.
1630 - Depart from Cervantes at low level, we head over the Pinnacle Desert. This provides another opportunity for photos and shows the true size of the desert. We will see huge stark white floating sand dunes and crystal blue waters of the Indian Ocean as we head south. Keep a look out for migrating southern right whales as they head south to the Antarctic (seasonal). Our approach into Jandakot will provide you with a scenic view of Perth with its island playground Rottnest on our right.
0700 - Hotel pickup and transfer to Jandakot Airport.
0730 - Depart Jandakot in our high wing Cessna aircraft that provides everyone with unlimited views of the scenic landscape. Our flight takes us south east into the Heartlands. Blessed with a diversity of landscapes comprising golden paddocks of wheat dotted with historic settlements forge the unique character of this region.
0830 - As we descend into Hyden you�ll see the Rock emerge from otherwise flat landscape. Our local guide will be there to greet us and thus we begin our walking tour on this uniquely shaped granite formation that�s over 2,500 million years old. It is streaked with vertical bands of rusty red and sandy grey, resembling the rolling movements of the sea. Take a photo while riding this 15-metre high granite formation.
Our next stop is the Wave Rock Country Kitchen to enjoy morning tea before viewing the Wildlife Park that�s home to native Australian animals including white kangaroos, koalas, emus & reptiles � you will never get as close. Visit the Lace Palace and shop in the gift store before our departure for Pinnacles.
1100 - Depart Hyden for the seaside town of Cervantes founded in 1962. It�s best known for the unique Pinnacle Desert and abundance of flora and fauna in Nambung National Park. Rock Lobster is what this town exports, nearly 600,000 kilograms are caught during November to June and sent to Asia, Japan and America. The town was named after the American whaling ship Cervantes that was wrecked on a small island in 1844.
1230 - On arrival, our 4WD and tour guide will be there to meet us and transfer us to the local tavern for some great Aussie pub food. Our next stop is the eerie Pinnacles made up of spears of limestone that rise from the lunar landscape in this golden desert setting. Your guide will explain the geology and myths surrounding these unusual formations and their popularity with so many people. On our return to the airstrip you are guaranteed to see wild kangaroos and emus checking us out.
1630 - Depart from Cervantes at low level, we head over the Pinnacle Desert. This provides another opportunity for photos and shows the true size of the desert. We will see huge stark white floating sand dunes and crystal blue waters of the Indian Ocean as we head south. Keep a look out for migrating southern right whales as they head south to the Antarctic (seasonal). Our approach into Jandakot will provide you with a scenic view of Perth with its island playground Rottnest on our right.
Additional Information
Departure details
Jandakot Airport
Jandakot Airport
Prices
Prices are listed as a guide only. For an exact price quote please contact the owner / operator using the below enquiry form.
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