Wave Rock Accommodation: The Best Places to Stay in Hyden
Wave Rock (as it is famously known) is located just outside the West Australian town of Hyden. Roughly a four-hour drive from Perth (see below for a map).
The rock’s official name is Hyden Rock and encompasses the Wave, Breakers and Hippos Yawn. Of the 150 000 tourists who come to see the Wave each year, many are either on a weekend getaway or a longer road trip. Some bring their accommodation with them and others, like me, have to hire it on arrival.
Hyden offers three different styles of Wave Rock accommodation.
In this Article on the Best Places to Stay in Wave Rock You Will Learn:
- The Wave Rock Resort
- The Wave Rock Motel
- The Wave Rock Caravan Park options and facilities
- More Wave Rock trip planning tips including location and what to pack
- The Verdict
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3 Official Wave Rock Accommodation Options
Wave Rock Resort
The resort (also known as the Wave Rock Lakeside Resort) is situated about 1.5 km from the rock on Lake Magic.
To be perfectly honest I’m not quite sure why the term “resort” is used as the resort is actually a collection of two-bedroom cottages.
Each cottage is self-contained with a full kitchen, lounge/dining area, TV, DVD and air-conditioning.
The resort gardens are pretty with BBQ gazebos dotted about. Across the road is the only extra facility that the resort offers – a 20m diameter salt pond, which is supposed to be very therapeutic.
Wave Rock Motel
If you are looking for a more traditional Wave Rock hotel feel then the motel could be the answer. The Wave Rock motel is located within the town of Hyden 3km from Wave Rock.
All Hyden motel units include:
- Ensuite
- Tea and coffee making
- Fridge
- Microwave
- TV
There are different room configurations including single, twin, double, triple and family (2 rooms interconnected).
The facilities at the motel include:
- Swimming pool
- WiFi
- Café/Restaurant
- Bar
Wave Rock Caravan Park
But if you want to be right on the doorstep to the main attraction then the Wave Rock Caravan Park is the place. (This is where we stayed). This is the only Hyden caravan park. Within this caravan park there are several more accommodation options available:
- Cabins
- Caravans
- Camping
Kiosk
At the caravan park kiosk we check-in and given walking trail maps and free entry into the rock.
If you are not staying at the caravan park you will need to stop at the kiosk to buy tickets to see all the attractions at Hyden Rock.
Cabins (Review)
Our Wave Rock Caravan Park cabin is a pet-friendly option.
The one-bedroom cabins are not luxurious but they are clean and comfortable. Walking through the front door, to the right is the wood-look linoleum-floored living area and the bedroom to the left.
In the bedroom you’ll find:
- Queen size bed with towels laid out
- Jarrah side tables
- An extra single bed with a matching “oh so grandma” floral quilt and bath towel
- Small wardrobe containing spare blankets, pillows and a pedestal fan.
Walking back along the short hall I pass the small blue-tiled bathroom. It is simple yet functional with new vanity, toilet and shower. The only thing not supplied is a hairdryer. A bit of a bummer as this is something I like to leave out of my travel packing to pack light.
Into the living area, I find a one-metre diameter white table with three very comfortable dining chairs. Perfect as there are three of us and only a two-seater black leather lounge to relax and watch TV. The television offers a choice of eight stations and DVD player (BYO DVD’s). Above the television is a reverse-cycle air-conditioner.
The kitchen has modern white cabinets with a two-burner stove (note: switch to turn the stove on is at the power-point), full-size fridge and microwave. You’ll find the cupboards stocked for three people with:
- Plates
- Bowls
- Mugs
- Cups
- Wine glasses
- Cutlery
To cook there are:
- Utensils
- One pan
- Two saucepans and one lid that didn’t fit on anything – oh well we got by
- An electric frypan
And a few more additional items:
- Kettle
- Toaster
- Salad bowl
- Colander
- Small container
- Starter kit of coffee, tea, sugar, milk, salt and pepper
- Washing up gear including detergent, cloth, scourer and tea towels
Caravan Options
Instead of hiring a cabin, you could tow your own in the form of a caravan.
Then hire either a standard powered site or an ensuite site that allows you to have your own private bathroom and a sheltered outdoor area.
Wave Rock Camping
Wave Rock free camping is not allowed. You must stay within the caravan park.
Unpowered sites are available with a mesh tarp to pitch your tent upon.
Park Facilities
The bonus of staying in the caravan park is that you will get the use of the compact camp kitchen that offers a kettle, toaster, sandwich maker, communal fridge and sink. This is situated right next to the large undercover seating area with TV.
In this block, you will find clean ablutions and a laundrette. It is also where you can connect to free WiFi.
Right next to all of this is the large kids’ playground with fake turf and sheltered clean stainless steel BBQ’s.
Across the way is the clear blue swimming pool surrounded by more green Astroturf. It’s OK I get that the grass is fake. Hyden receives only a third of the rainfall as Perth. No doubt in summer the pool is a very welcome relief.
Pet-Friendly Accommodation
Another thing I really like is that the caravan park is pet-friendly. Including school holidays and even if you need to hire a cabin like us.
By the way, Wave Rock trails are dog-friendly, a rarity in Western Australia as most national parks do not allow dogs.
Plan Your Visit to Wave Rock
Wave Rock Location
Wondering where is Wave Rock? The rock’s official name is Hyden Rock which is located 3 km from the town of Hyden. The most direct route to drive from Perth to Hyden is along the Brookton Hwy which will take just under four hours.
We choose to mix it up a little and drive to Wave Rock via the town of York. Whilst theoretically it is only 10 minutes longer you need to factor in time to explore York town. This made a great stop for lunch. On the way back to Perth we drive Brookton Hwy stopping midway in the town of Brookton for a coffee break.
Whilst we choose to visit as a Wave Rock Weekender getaway, many tourists visit Hyden Rock as part of a greater road trip through the goldfields. Hyden can be accessed via towns further east like Norseman or north from Bruce Rock. Check out the websites and guidebooks below for further ideas.
Helpful Info
These two official tourism websites for the area:
- Australian Golden Outback
- Wave Rock – you’ll find links to all the places to stay in Wave Rock here.
Check out our article on 17 Things to Do in Wave Rock, Hyden
Or read one of these West Australian guidebooks*
What to Pack for Wave Rock
- Whichever type of Hyden accommodation you choose the ultimate trip packing list will have you covered.
Top Trip Tip: Ensure you pack a jumper/sweater it gets cold. Also, include good quality walking shoes – there are loads of walking trails on the rock and through dirt tracks
- If staying in the Wave Rock caravan park cabins or resort you’ll also want packing for self-catering accommodation. This packing list includes a meal planner and shopping list so you don’t pack too much.
Top Trip Tip: Try and be prepared before driving out to Hyden, whilst there is an IGA supermarket – it is expensive
- When exploring the rock take a day trip bag.
Top Trip Tip: Don’t forget the camera, hat, sunscreen and water
- If travelling with kids check out the baby and toddler packing list and the tweens packing list.
Top Trip Tip: If you plan to climb the rock with a toddler pack a set of reigns to keep your child safe. I read somewhere the walking trails are suitable for prams, let me tell you, “They’re not!” If you’re travelling with a young baby/toddler invest in a child carrier*
The Verdict
Look it’s a bit of a journey to get out to Wave Rock, but there’s a reason 150 000 tourists make the trip each year and look for a place to stay in Wave Rock, Hyden.
From our experience, I would strongly suggest you consider the Wave Rock Caravan Park. It is right on the doorstep of the main attraction and in easy walking distance to many more. Everything was clean, including our little pet-friendly cabin and the facilities at the park including camp kitchen, pool and BBQ’s made for an enjoyable two-night stay.
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