This ancient rock formation looks like a giant ocean wave frozen in time, and it’s every bit as awe-inspiring as it sounds.
Deep in Western Australia’s Wheatbelt, where the skies are big and the red earth stretches for miles, there’s a wave that doesn’t crash – it looms. Towering 15 metres high and curling dramatically like it’s been frozen mid-break, Wave Rock – known as Katter Kich to the Ballardong people of the Noongar Nation – is one of the most surreal natural formations in the country. And yes, it looks exactly like a giant stone tsunami rolling across the outback.
In local Dreaming stories, Wave Rock was created by the Rainbow Serpent. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
Located just outside the small town of Hyden – a four-hour drive southeast of Perth – Wave Rock is fast becoming one of WA’s most Insta-famous destinations. But this is no recent TikTok trend: this ancient granite cliff is over 2.7 billion years old, predating the dinosaurs by hundreds of millions of years.
What makes Wave Rock truly jaw-dropping is its colour and curve. The dramatic stripes along its surface – in hues of ochre, rust, charcoal and mustard – are the result of chemical weathering over millennia. Rainwater has washed down the rock face over time, dissolving minerals and creating the distinct streaks that give the formation its tiger-like coat. Combined with the perfect curve of the rock, it’s easy to forget this isn’t a real wave until you’re standing at its base, dwarfed by solid stone.
Many visitors come to snap the classic ‘surfing the wave’ photo. (Image: Tourism Australia)
While many visitors come to snap the classic ‘surfing the wave’ photo (bonus points for a boogie board prop), there’s more to this spot than a photo op. A short climb to the top offers sweeping views of the surrounding bushland and salt lakes, and the nearby 3.6-kilometre Wave Rock Walk Circuit lets you explore the full breadth of the outcrop and the surrounding area on foot.
There’s no questioning why it’s called Hippo’s Yawn. (Image: Tourism Australia)
Just a few minutes away, another quirky natural wonder adds to the appeal: Hippo’s Yawn . This rock formation – yes, also exactly what it sounds like – resembles a yawning hippopotamus and is a hit with families and photo hunters alike.
Wave Rock is also rich in cultural significance, playing a role in local Dreaming stories. According to lore, the wave was created by the Rainbow Serpent as it dragged its body across the land. Visitors are encouraged to respect the site’s cultural importance and learn more about its history with local Indigenous tour operator Katter Kich Tours .
Feel weightless in the salt pool. (Image: Tourism Australia)
And if you’re planning a trip, there’s more than just geology to explore. The annual Wave Rock Weekender , held each spring, transforms this sleepy outback destination into a boutique music and arts festival complete with camping, lake swims and stargazing. There’s also a wildlife park , a lace museum and a salt pool that promises zero-gravity floating thanks to its high mineral content.
Wave Rock has to be seen to be believed. (Image: Tourism Australia)
The beauty of Wave Rock is that it manages to feel both completely out of place and exactly where it should be. It’s a natural marvel that looks like it belongs on another planet – or at least the edge of a vast ocean – but instead rises out of the dry, flat Wheatbelt like a mirage made real.
So, if you’re chasing your next great Aussie road trip, add this prehistoric breaker to your bucket list. Because in the middle of WA’s red-dirt heartland, there’s a wave that doesn’t move – but will still move you.
Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her time at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? Tasmania and The Kimberley.
The East Kimberley should be on every bucket list, and here’s why.
Livistona palms soar out of chasms the colour of Valencia oranges. Shady waterholes beckon travellers daring to venture off the bitumen. From the air, fruit farms give way to vast plains that meet rolling hills and fascinating geological formations centuries in the making. The East Kimberley is one of Australia’s most treasured wilderness areas, but don’t be fooled by its rust-coloured roads. This north-eastern corner of Western Australia is home to some of Australia’s most iconic stays by Discovery Resorts that should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Dine in the heart of nature.
Your guide to Lake Argyle
The backstory
With rolling hills that glow amber at sunrise and glassy water that reflects the Kimberley’s bright blue sky, a visit to Lake Argyle is nothing short of awe-inspiring. As Australia’s second-largest man-made freshwater lake, travellers flock here to soak in the views from boats, helicopters and Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle.
The latter is a lakeside oasis, a resort where travellers crossing from Western Australia into the Northern Territory (or vice versa) converge. Fifty minutes’ drive south of Kununurra, the property is perched atop a cliff overlooking the sprawling Lake Argyle.
Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle was originally built in the late 1960s to provide accommodation for builders of the Ord River dam, which formed Lake Argyle. In the decades that followed it had several owners, until a Kununurra local took the reins in 2004 and reinvented the property with luxury villas and its now world-famous infinity pool. The iconic property was added to the Discovery Resorts portfolio in 2021, undergoing a major upgrade that took the resort from a beloved campground to an all-encompassing resort with premium waterfront villas.
Glide across the vast, shimmering waters of Lake Argyle.
The rooms
A lakeside resort like no other, Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle offers something for everyone, from campsites to villas and cabins . The Deluxe Lakeview Cabins have views of the opposing cliff and are surrounded by bush, ensuring plenty of privacy, while both the Deluxe and Standard Cabins are ideal for families, with contemporary furnishings and one, two or four bedrooms. The campsites also come in a variety of sizes.
The facilities
There’s no doubt the biggest drawcard to Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle is the lake, 20 times the size of Sydney Harbour. One of the best ways to experience it is on the Kimberley Durack Sunset Explorer Cruise , during which you’ll see freshwater crocodiles nesting along the banks (it’s home to 30,000 freshies) and even get the chance to swim in their waters. The cruise also takes in Mt Misery, towering above the original and now submerged Argyle Downs Homestead.
If you have young children who need to get to bed early, a great alternative is the three-hour Lunch Explorer Cruise . You’ll tour around the lake’s bays as you learn about the local wildlife before stopping at a remote island for a swim.
Refuel between adventures at the onsite pub-style eatery, The Lake Argyle Cafe. The cafe is the heart of the resort, bringing together friends new and old over a steak, cold beer and live music. Hours vary with the seasons, but rest assured you’ll be able to enjoy a good feed year-round, with a well-stocked general store also open during the day.
Cool off from a day of exploring in the striking infinity pool with some of the best views in the country (you’ll find sweeping views of the lake below). Or enjoy a flight with HeliSpirit, or clear your mind during a yoga class on the lawn.
Take a dip in the infinity pool and soak in breathtaking Lake Argyle views.
Your guide to El Questro
The backstory
One of the most famous stays in Australia is El Questro . A former cattle station, it’s evolved into one of the country’s most recognisable tourism destinations over the past 30 years, and is now embarking on a new chapter to elevate the region’s rich First Nations culture.
The property draws travellers seeking to reconnect with nature and the beauty of this country. Wild in spirit but immaculate in style, El Questro is a 283,000-hectare property like no other; surrounded by dramatic gorges, impressive mountain ranges, thermal springs, secluded waterfalls and even rainforest, it’s the perfect base for adventurous souls.
Float along Zebedee Springs and immerse in nature.
The rooms
Across the sprawling El Questro are three properties catering to the wide variety of travellers who journey this way. The most impressive is the luxurious Homestead , where 10 suites perch at the edge of a burnt-orange cliff, with cantilevered bedrooms over the peaceful Chamberlain River. The adults-only, all-inclusive Homestead is a member of the prestigious Luxury Lodges of Australia collection and offers a backdrop of thick bushland; riverside, you’ll find an immaculate lawn and a shaded pool that lures guests out of their rooms.
At Emma Gorge , travellers will be immersed in the beauty of the Cockburn Ranges, falling asleep to the sounds of wildlife in safari-style tented cabins. This is where you come if you want to completely connect with your environment while retaining a few creature comforts. The Emma Gorge Tented Cabins sleep three or four people and feature private ensuites and ceiling fans.
Families also love The Station , home to simple yet comfortable air-conditioned rooms, as well as a large, leafy campground. Sitting by the Pentecost River, The Station is open from April to October and has a range of accommodation, from unpowered and powered campsites to air-conditioned tents for two people and a Gardenview Family Room for five.
Take a breather with stunning views of nature all around.
The facilities
Located in the heart of the Kimberley, El Questro retains its strong connection with its Traditional Owners, the Ngarinyin people. A highlight of a stay here is the Injiid Marlabu Calls Us experience ; over two hours, guests are immersed in the soul of Country by witnessing ancient healing rituals, listening to generational stories and learning about the land’s ancestral heritage.
Other experiences include bird watching, cruising through Chamberlain Gorge, hiking through Emma Gorge, horse riding, four-wheel-driving and soaking in Zebedee Springs. At the properties, you can also cool off in the pools, and relax in the restaurants or at private dining locations. A bonus of staying at The Homestead is the exclusive service of El Questro’s dedicated reservations team, who will craft a bespoke itinerary tailored to your travel tastes.
