The journey home starts.......

On Friday morning we were up and off.  We were on our way to Hyden where we were going to have a look at Wave Rock, something we had never done in all the years we lived in WA.

Along the way we stopped at Brookton first then Corrigin where we had a look at the Dog Cemetery and the local park before continuing our journey to Hyden Caravan Park where we would stay for a couple of nights so we could have a look around.

Once set up we took a walk across to see Wave Rock and nothing anyone has said could prepare me for this awesome sight.  My photos don't do it justice either but here is one Bill took.

'The Wave' is in fact only a small part of a huge rock called Hyden Rock.   There are a number of walk trails here and that evening we did the 'Hyden Rock' walk going past the wave and climbing up beside the Hyden Dam to find ourselves looking down at the park.

Following a series of markers and interpretive signs we soon found ourselves at the top of the rock and enjoyed wonderful views across the salt lakes that dominate the area.

Our track down had us walking beside the stone fence first erected in 1928 to channel water from the rock into the catchment area just beside the huge rock.  The wall still stands today.  Once back on the ground we returned home for a quiet night in.

The next day we walked back over to Wave Rock and took the walk trail to Hippos Yawn.  This trail stayed on the ground passing around the base of Hyden Rock before arriving at the unusual rock feature.  It was here that Hyden got its name as a young Sandalwood cutter of the same name camped here at the yawn like cave way back in the 1920's.  

From here we walked back and enjoyed a coffee at The Wildflower Shoppe before going through and having a look at the Wildlife Park.  

There are sometimes things you see that you really wish you hadn't and unfortunately this was one of those occasions.  The park has certainly seen better days and it is heartbreaking to see the animals and birds kept in the bare, arid and boring cages and pens.  The White kangaroos looked so sad and seemed to be well and truly over the whole place too.  

After lunch we jumped in the car and drove the few kms away to see Mulkas Cave and The Humps.  This is an Aboriginal Art site with many hand stencils all over the roof of the cave.  As it is quite dark inside it is difficult to see the hundreds that are meant to be there but some are clear near the edge.

The Humps is a large rock formation not far from the cave and another interpretive walk takes you up to the summit and down again.  We did this walk and while I was a 'little' nervous on the way up and down once back on level ground I decided that I really enjoyed it.  The views from the top were fabulous.

Leaving The Humps we drove back into town where we enjoyed a look at Hydens history portrayed by local artists in the form of quirky metalwork sculptures.  

From here we drove around to see the Magic Lake a few kms out the other side from Wave Rock.  This large salt lake still had water and was a most unusual colour.  

We said farewell to Hyden the next morning driving back into town to buy fresh bread at the bakery before we hit the road.  We were going to drive across to Norseman following The Granite and Woodlands Trail. 

until next time.........