17 More Things to Do in Wave Rock, Hyden
When I mentioned to family and friends that we were off to Wave Rock they asked, “Have you been there?”
“As a child, yes,” I replied. “Why?”
“There’s nothing out there,” they answered.
Well. Let me tell you. There is far more to see than just Wave Rock. Actually, there are 17 things to do in Wave Rock and surrounds of Hyden, Western Australia.
In this Post About Things to See and Do in Hyden You Will Learn About
- The history of Wave Rock
- Things to do at Wave Rock
- 1. The Wave
- 2. Hyden Rock
- 3. The Breakers
- 4. Hippos Yawn
- 5. Lake Magic and the circuit walk
- 6. Mulka’s Cave
- 7. Gnamma Trail
- 8. The Kalari Trail
- 9. Hyden Street Art
- 10. Wildflower season
- 11. The Rabbit-Proof Fence
- 12. Golf
- 13. Wildflower Shoppe
- 14. The Lace Place
- 15. The Miniature Soldier Museum
- 16. Wave Rock Wildlife Park
- 17. Pioneer Museum
- Wave Rock location
- Wave Rock accommodation
- What to pack for Wave Rock
- Wave Rock entry fees
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Wave Rock History
The granite Wave Rock formation began over two and a half billion years ago with the last 60 million years of weathering causing the wave formation.
You will find many Aboriginal Dreamtime stories relayed on storyboards throughout the area as the Aboriginal Indigenous Australians were the first to inhabit this region.
In 1829 white man settled in Western Australia but it took until the 1920’s before they ventured this far inland – to farm some of the driest pastures in Australia. During the tree-clearing process, Hyden Rock was found and used as a place to camp.
Wave Rock is just part of the greater Hyden Rock named after a young man called Hyde who camped at the rock whilst cutting native sandalwood trees in the 1920’s. Somehow when Lands Department came to name the rock it was written Hyden Rock. But, it did not become a tourist attraction until a photo of the wave was entered and won a New York international photo competition in 1963.
This transformed the neighbouring town of Hyden (3km away) from a local farming town into a tourist location. Now over 100 000 tourists a year come to see Wave Rock.
17 Things to Do in Wave Rock
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Walking Trails at Wave Rock
If you pay your entrance fee at the Caravan Park Kiosk you will be provided with free walking trail maps and a car pass. Alternatively, you can pay to park your car at the ticket machine. However if like us, you have stayed at the Wave Rock Caravan Park then entrance and the Wave Rock maps are included with your night’s accommodation.
Now you don’t really have to walk all these trails – you could drive from one location to the next, but most of it is an easy stroll on dirt trails.
By the way, there are also lots of toilets at the Wave Rock parking lot, bins for rubbish and doggy poo bags if you forgot to bring your own. There are no bins (or poo bags) along the walking trails so please be respectful and carry your rubbish back to the car park.
Top Trip Tip: Wear a hat and add water and a camera when packing your day trip bag
1. The Wave
Ok, so this is what you came to see. A 15m high, 100m long, wave-shaped granite rock with striating colours of ochre, chocolate, charcoal and fawn.
It’s impressive. We are here on an overcast day and it still looks magnificent.
Take your time to ogle it from all directions and don’t forget to have surf.
Top Trip Tip: Try to visit no later than 9:30am, this is to beat the heat, the tourist buses and day-trippers
2. Hyden Rock
At the end of the wave, you will find galvanised steel steps up to the top of Hyden Rock. The trail on top of the rock is well marked out with small steel bollards to follow. Signage is dotted along the way to advise what you are looking at. Like:
- the Hyden dam that serviced the town’s water for many years
- views over the salt lakes
- out to the Humps
- looking over the Hyden gold course
- all the different flora
One thing I’d like to add here. Hyden and Wave Rock are dog-friendly however if you are going up Hyden Rock be prepared to carry your dog up the steps as your dog won’t be able to negotiate the steel grate steps.
If you have kids, hold on tight. There is little to stop your kids from running off and over the edge. You may want to consider something like reigns or a backpack seat carrier*. Prams aren’t going to work up here either and you will struggle along the dirt trails with a stroller too.
Top Trip Tip: Wear sensible walking shoes
3. The Breakers
Once you are back down on the ground keep on walking west to the Breakers (there is signage along the trails so you don’t get lost). I kinda remember the Breakers being a bit more colourful and pretty, but now they are quite dark and charcoal. Near the Breakers is a large picnic area with car parking, tables, chairs and toilets.
Whilst not as impressive as I remembered it is a short easy 675m walk. Then turn around and walk back to Wave Rock.
4. Hippos Yawn Loop
Heading east from Wave Rock is the Hippos Yawn Loop. The loop is a 1710m walking trail that follows the base of Hyden Rock to Hippos Yawn and then loops back to the Wave Rock carpark through the bush. If you’ve got the time, take the time and walk the loop, it is quite lovely.
First up I see what I expected to see at the Breakers – rolling small waves of charcoal, chocolate and fawn.
To our left in the bush are clusters of wildflowers. It is Spring, after one of the wettest winters in Western Australia for many years. So today we are quite blessed to see the striking mauve bushes and delicate peach, yellow and lavender flowers.
Two-thirds along the trail is the Hippos Yawn. This is where Hyde camped back in the ‘20’s. It is amazing what nature can create – a large grey hippo’s mouth with the interior a soft white just as if it was the hippo’s palate and a hole right at the back as if you could be swallowed down his throat.
You’ll also find another car park here and picnic tables.
Walking back through the bush we spot all sorts of wildflowers and there are signs providing information about local wildlife.
When we return to the Wave Rock carpark at 11:30am it is chock a block full.
Top Trip Tip: Be courteous to other travellers, respect one another’s photographic ops
5. Wave Rock Walk Circuit: Lake Magic and Salt Lakes
Once you reach Hippos Yawn instead of heading back to the Wave Rock carpark you can continue on to do the Wave Rock circuit. Alternatively take this 3600m paved walk close to sunset.
The boardwalk takes you over the salt lakes and salt flats in the area. Salt lakes are formed when water cannot escape due to the area being “terminal” that is, there is no drainage point or plants to absorb the water.
At the halfway mark you will come across Lake Magic it still has water in this lake but with a high concentration of salt.
Top Trip Tip: Visit Lake Magic at sunset, perhaps make it the first thing to do on your Wave Rock itinerary on the afternoon that you arrive in Hyden leaving you fresh to do the other walking trails the next day
More Walking Trails Near Hyden
16km from Wave Rock you will find another granite rock called The Humps. There are two walking trails to explore in this area and Mulka’s Cave.
6. Mulka’s Cave
From the Humps carpark, a steel walkway leads to Mulks’s Cave. Storyboards explain the dream story behind the legend of Mulka.
Inside the cave expect to see over 450 Aboriginal handprints and art.
7. Gnamma Trail
If you would like to expand on your Indigenous Aboriginal experience follow Gamma Trail along the dirt paths. Interpretation boards explain the local Noongar Aboriginal Tribe experiences in the area with native flora and fauna.
8. The Kalari Trail
One such native animal is the lizard (in Noongar – Kalari). If you follow the 1670m trail up onto the Humps you should expect to see these creatures.
More Outdoors
Can’t get enough of the outdoors? There’s more.
9. Hyden Street Art
Back in Hyden town stop by the Hyden Street Art display along the car park on the main street. A collection of cool and quirk items made from old machinery and scrap metal. Each statue depicts the characters and history of Hyden.
10. Wildflower Season
If you come out in Spring you will be rewarded with wonderful displays of wildflowers. You’ll get to enjoy them throughout all your road trips in Australia’s Golden Outback and whilst on any of the walking trails.
But don’t think you’ve missed out if it’s not Spring. There won’t be as many flowers but West Australian natives do flower at varying times of the year.
11. The Rabbit-Proof Fence
The Rabbit-Proof Fence is the longest fence in the world. It was built in the early 1900’s to prevent a plague of rabbits that were making its way across Australia from the east coast. Two more sections of the fence were built by 1907.
We saw a glimpse of the Rabbit-Proof Fence just passed the town of Corrigin driving to Hyden. But the best place to see the fence is 50km towards the town of Norseman.
Top Trip Tip: Add this to your road trip Wave Rock itinerary travelling to or from Hyden
12. Golf
If you pack your golf bag the 18 hole Hyden Golf Course awaits.
Wave Rock Visitors Centre
If you’re still looking for things to do and see in Wave Rock the Wave Rock Visitors Centre houses a few attractions.
13. Wildflower Shoppe
The visitors’ centre is inside the shop. You’ll find souvenirs of Hyden and Western Australia along with locally made craft and preserves.
14. The Lace Place
Entrance to the Lace Place is from within the WildFlower Shoppe at $5 per person. It is home to the biggest display of lace anywhere in the world.
15. The Miniature Soldier Museum
Next door to the Wildflower Shoppe is the Toy Soldier Museum. Again entrance is $5 per person. Showcasing over 10 000 handmade pieces that include a toy train display and a Rabbit Proof fence display.
16. Wave Rock Wildlife Park
This seven-acre property provides you with the opportunity to interact with native Australian animals like wombats, koala, birds, and white kangaroos (which I have never seen before) in their natural environment. Entry is $12 per adult and $5 per child.
17. Pioneer Museum
Across the road, in the caravan park kiosk, you can visit the Pioneer Museum for $4 per person. It includes a private collection of Australian memorabilia.
Trip Planning Tips: Things to Do in Hyden and Surrounds
Yes, you could be like some of my friends and family who drove all the way out to Wave Rock, stared at it for 15 minutes and drove on. But seriously it’s a hell of a long drive just to tick off something on your bucket list.
Take a day or two and enjoy all the things to do in Wave Rock and surrounds. Here’s what you need to know about visiting Hyden, Western Australia.
Wave Rock Location
It will take approximately four hours to drive from Perth to Hyden.
We drive to Hyden via the town of York, stopping in this historic town for a lunch break on the river picnic grounds.
On the way home, we drive via Brookton, which is about midway and stopped for a light morning tea to break up the journey.
However many of the people we met whilst staying at the caravan park are taking longer West Australian road trips.
If you don’t have a car
- You can hire a car*, don’t forget to hire the child car seat
- Book a tour*
Wave Rock Accommodation
There are three official places to stay in Hyden and Wave Rock.
- The Hyden Motel*
- The Wave Rock Resort
- The Wave Rock Caravan Park – this is where we stayed in the onsite cabins. There are also basic caravan sites and ensuite sites plus camping unpowered sites.
Top Trip Tip: Please note free camping at Wave Rock is not permitted
What to Pack
When packing for your Wave Rock road trip:
- Prepare your car and itinerary
- Don’t forget any personal items by using the Ultimate Trip Packing List
- Most Wave Rock accommodation is self-catering use the Self Catering Packing List to prepare
- When heading out on the walking trails pack these Nine Essentials in your Day Trip Bag
If you’ve got kids, check out:
- Three Essentials for Travel with Kids
- The Travel Packing List for Baby or Toddler
- The Tweens Packing List
If you take the dog pack:
- Dog bed
- Dog food
- Bowls
- Leash
- Poo bags
Entry Fees
Wave Rock entry fee is $12 per car (as at 2023). Your car pass then entitles you to park and visit all the other rock attractions and trails.
Most of the museums are $5 per person except the Pioneer Museum which is $4 per person.
The Wildlife Park entry fee is $12 per adult and $5 per child.
More Wave Rock Information
Official Tourism Websites
Official tourism website for the region are:
More Guides
- All our West Australian Road Trips
- Camping Guide to Western Australia*
- West Coast Australia*
- Browse more West Australian Travel Guides*
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Accommodation options in Hyden were grim when we went, overpriced with limited facilities basic wifi etc. We would go back for the Aboriginal art which was amazing. Wildflowers were lovely too. But we would stay somewhere else. A town 30 minutes south had everything we wanted.