Off to see the rock!

see all photos »

Before I left Perth, Holly and I decided we needed to go on another road trip.  We had travelled north, south and west (well as west as you can from Perth...Rottnest Island) so only east was left. Inland from Perth was a challenge...after having a little think I remembered one of my favourite pictures from Western Australia...Wave Rock.  This became our destination and adventures we had along the way were yet to be discovered!

We decided to drive to Hyden after work on the friday night and camp in caravan park outside town.  We drove into the campsite with a perfect star lit and set up our tent without a hitch.  (I forgot to mention the slight issue that arose earlier in the night...when we realised we had set off on our road trip completely unprepared!  No camping gear except the tent and a thousand blankets - due to the last camping fiasco....lets just say we weren't cold!) So there we are, with our healthy dinner of chips, dips and beer, settling in for the night.  All went well until the early hours of the morning when the rain storm started.  Holly decided to get in the car and sleep but you know me I can sleep through anything...well so I thought!  I awoke in the morning with the tent collapsed around me and the wind really blowing.  I couldn't get out of the tent because I was slightly concerned it may blow off..."Holly, Holly"...she woke up to find my little head poking out of the tent.  The start to a perfect weekend!

Healthy dinner
see all photos »

We decided to get up and head out to the rock!  After trying out hardest to pack up our tent in the wind we ended up just stuffing it in the car and setting off.  Wave Rock is a 15 metre high granite cliff, which has formed its shape due to weathering and water erosion.  This has undercut the base and left a rounded overhang, so if you stand underneath you look like you are surfing!!! (Well that is the hilarious idea in the photos anyway!)  Hol and I walked along the base of the rock to Hippos Yawn, an unusally shaped granite rock at the end of the rock formation.

No birds hey! Our lovely car...Santa Marjorie.
see all photos »

Holly and I then drove to Mulka's Cave.  The name Mulka comes from an Aboriginal Legend believed to be associated with the cave.  After a tragic upbringing Mulka turned to catching and eating human children and became the terror of the district.  It is said he lived in Mulka's cave, where the imprints of his hands can still be seen, much higher than that of an ordinary man.  We climbed to the top of The Humps (the surroundings of Mulka's cave) and battled our way through the winds to get to the summit.  Unfortunately my sunglasses lost the battle and they flew off over the cliff!

Not the best way to be woken up!
see all photos »

By 11am we has seen all of the sights in Hyden and realised we would have to leave...this could be the shortest road trip in history!! I read the guide book and we could also see the Rabbit Proof Fence.  I know what you are thinking...a road trip to see a rock and a fence...wild!!!  We set off for the fence.  It was originally built in 1907 to hold back the invading rabbits that were spreading across Australia.  The rabbits were becoming a huge problem and if left unchecked agriculture in Australia would not have been possible.  The fence ran the distance South to North, 1827km...pretty impressive construction!

Surfing the wave
see all photos »

So, we have seen the rock and the fence, what next?!  A quick check in the guide book...nothing else to do but head back to Perth through the wind and rain with a stop off in York.  On our way to York we had the scary kangaroo experience.  Holly's amazing driving skills saved us from a collision and I am sure I saw the kangaroo change direction in mid air!!!  York is the oldest town in WA and we were very lucky to catch Christmas in July!  After spending an hour in the tourist information office looking at what we were going to do, we decided after the previous night to ditch the tent and stay in the hostel.

Stuck out in the bush!
see all photos »

Christmas in July...Holly and I got into the christmas spirit.  It was cold and we were wrapped up in jeans and jumpers, not great Australian weather but perfect for a fake Christmas!  We were singing carols around the piano, enjoying the warmth of the roaring fire, having photos with Santa and making sure we had lots of fun!!! Some might say too much fun...it was brilliant!

The last day of our road trip was spent looking around Jar Rocks Gallery, having brunch and visiting a piano cemetry.  The piano cemetry on an olive farm was another great idea by yours truely.  I had read an article about it on the bus and it turned out to be a highlight.  The tourist information office had located the farm and sent us on our way.  Slight detour down the track meant we disturbed a huge mob of wild kangaroos and saw some amazing scenery.  We finally located the farm and met the craziest couple who welcomed us into their home and made us tea.  Kim and Penny own the olive farm where one of there friends has set up a piano cemetry.  He sets the pianos around the farm and lets them weather, before using them to create John Cage esk music.  Holly and I spent the afternoon walking around the farm with their dog Bess before the trip back to Perth.

Hippos Yawn
see all photos »

I can honestly say that it was one of the funniest and strangest road trips of all time.  Thanks for the memories Hol...be careful of those kangaroos! x