A 15-metre granite wave, about 2.7 billion years old, just outside Hyden in Western Australia's Wheatbelt.
Walk under its striped face, find Hippo's Yawn a kilometre on, then see the hand stencils inside Mulka's Cave.
Every Wave Rock tourAll the bookable days from Perth, side by side
4.6 from 602 reviewsThe coach day most travelers choose
Free cancellationUp to 24 hours before on the day tours
Checked factsShire of Kondinin entry fee, walks and seasons, 2026
Tours
Choose your Wave Rock tour
In the centre, the coach day from Perth with York, a country lunch and Mulka's Cave. On the left, Wave Rock, Hippo's Yawn and Mulka's Cave
in a private car for your group; on the right, a scenic flight that has you back in Perth by noon. Every card opens a full tour page.
Your own driver-guide from your Perth hotel: the Dog Cemetery, a sausage sizzle in Hyden, then Wave Rock, Hippo's Yawn and Mulka's Cave. One price for up to nine people.
York, the Dog Cemetery and Hippo's Yawn on the way out, a country lunch in Hyden, then Wave Rock and Mulka's Cave. Lunch and every entry fee are in the price.
What's included
Coach from selected Perth CBD hotels and back
Country-style lunch at the Wildflower Shoppe in Hyden
Take off from Jandakot at 7:30am, land near Hyden and reach Wave Rock before the coaches, then fly home over the Wheatbelt. You are back in Perth by midday.
What's included
Scenic flight from Jandakot Airport to Wave Rock and back
Wave Rock is about 4 hours from Perth by road, so the real choice is how you cover the distance: a coach, your own
car and guide, a small plane, or a longer trip that passes through.
Driving yourself, entry is A$15 per vehicle at the ticket machine or kiosk at the foot of the rock (Shire of
Kondinin). The coach and private day tours include it.
Wave Rock, Hyden
A wave of granite, frozen mid-break.
Wave Rock is the north face of Hyden Rock, a granite hill in the Wheatbelt about 340 km east of Perth. The face curls
out over your head like a breaking wave, about 15 m high and 110 m long. Geologists call it a flared slope: groundwater
rotted the granite at its base while it was still under the soil, and erosion later stripped the soft rock away. Rain
running down the face has painted it in vertical bands of red, orange and black.
The Ballardong Noongar name for it is Katter Kich. In the local story the Rainbow Serpent made the rock, dragging
her swollen body across the land after drinking all the water, and the rock sits on a dreaming trail that runs on to
Mulka's Cave. Halfway up Hyden Rock, a low stone wall from 1928 was built to channel rainwater into a dam for the town.
2.7 billion
Years, roughly, since this granite formed deep in the Yilgarn
Craton, the Shire of Kondinin says. The wave shape itself is far younger.
Wave RockHippo's YawnMulka's CaveLake Magic
Stand at the foot of the wave and the face curls out over your head.
01
A$15 per car
Driving in yourself, the Shire's pass covers Wave Rock, Hippo's Yawn, The Humps and Mulka's Cave. The coach and private tours include it.
02
About 4 hours each way
Around 340 km from Perth by road. Leave early, or take the scenic flight and land in about an hour.
03
Spring is best
Wildflowers bloom from August to October around the rock. Hyden's January mean maximum is 33.9°C.
04
Water, hat, fly net
The walks are short but open. Wave Rock Management advises a hat, sunscreen, repellent and plenty of water.
Your day
How the Wave Rock day runs
The coach tour from Perth, about 12.5 hours. The private tour visits Wave Rock, Hippo's Yawn and Mulka's Cave in your own vehicle.
01
York and the Wheatbelt
Pickup at selected Perth CBD hotels, then over the Darling Range to York, the first town of the Avon Valley, for coffee and a stroll.
Morning
02
The Dog Cemetery
East through Corrigin and Kondinin, past the Dog Cemetery, a roadside shrine to farm dogs that began in 1974.
On the road
03
Hippo's Yawn and lunch
Hippo's Yawn first, then a country-style lunch at the Wildflower Shoppe in Hyden, with time for the wildlife park, the lace collection or the toy soldier museum.
Lunch included
04
Wave Rock and Mulka's Cave
The wave itself, then Mulka's Cave and its hand stencils, before the long drive back to Perth with a comfort stop.
The walks at the rock, driving yourself, staying overnight and the seasons: one tab each.
The wave is a 100 m walk from the car park, the Shire of Kondinin says. Toilets and accessible parking are at the entrance.
Hippo's Yawn: a loop of about 1 km links Wave Rock, Hippo's Yawn and the car park. You can also drive there.
Up on Hyden Rock you walk along the old rainwater wall, with wide views over the farmland. Dogs are not allowed on this walk (water catchment).
The Humps, 15 minutes north: the Gnamma Trail (1,220 m) and the Kalari Trail to the summit (1,670 m), with Mulka's Cave at the base. More in entry fee and walks.
From the southern suburbs: Albany Highway and the Brookton Highway through Brookton, Corrigin and Kondinin, about 3 hours 15 minutes (Wave Rock Management).
From the northern suburbs: Great Eastern Highway via York, Quairading, Corrigin and Kondinin, about 3 hours 30 minutes.
On the road: 110 km/h on the open road, 50 km/h in towns. Kangaroos and emus come out at dawn and dusk; take a break every 2 hours.
Right at the rock: the Wave Rock Resort, the Wave Rock Caravan Park and camping, run by Wave Rock Management.
In town: the Wave Rock Hotel on Lynch Street in Hyden.
Why stay: sunset on the wave, sunrise at Lake Magic and a quiet morning before the day tours arrive.
The salt pool near Lake Magic is a 20 m round gypsum pond; adults A$10, children A$5, paid at the Wave Rock Kiosk.
August to October: the wildflower season around the rock, the Shire of Kondinin says, with orchids near the sheoaks at the base.
Winter (June to August): mild days and the wettest months, though Hyden only gets about 343 mm of rain a year.
Summer (December to February): hot, with a January mean maximum of 33.9°C. Snakes are about in the warm months; go early.
Autumn (March to May): cooler than summer and quieter than spring. Month by month in Wave Rock in summer.
Height15 mThe face of the wave, about 110 m long (Shire of Kondinin).
EntryA$15Per vehicle, driving in yourself. Covers Hippo's Yawn, The Humps and Mulka's Cave.
From PerthAbout 4 hoursRoughly 340 km by road; the coach day takes 12.5 hours in all.
By airBack by noonThe scenic flight leaves Jandakot at 7:30am and lands back about 12:00.
WildflowersAug to OctThe best months for the bloom around the rock.
RefundFree cancellationUp to 24 hours before on the day tours; 7 days on the 6-day trip.
Where it is
Getting to Wave Rock
Wave Rock, Hyden WA 6359
The tours on this site start in Perth: CBD hotels, your own hotel, or Jandakot Airport
Wave Rock lies just east of Hyden, signposted from town, in the Shire of Kondinin. It is about 340 km from Perth by road,
roughly 4 hours, on sealed highways all the way. The scenic flight lands at the Wave Rock airstrip after about an hour in
the air.
Coach day tour: pickup at selected Perth CBD hotels, back in the evening
Private tour: pickup at your Perth hotel for up to nine people
Scenic flight: meet at 4 Baron Way, Jandakot, for a 7:30am take-off
4.6★★★★★ 602 reviews · Wave Rock, York & Aboriginal Culture Day Tour GetYourGuide rating
★★★★★
Fantastic day! A long trip from Perth so very glad I got the bus! We got to see Hippos Yawn, Mulkas cave & Wave Rock plus have an enjoyable lunch. Driver/guide was very knowledgeable & helpful. Worth the money!
★★★★★
The flight gave us a breathtaking view of the endless green and yellow fields, colorful water reservoirs, and forests from above, saving us the long drive through the outback. [...] In all these things to do, the safety and comfort of the guests were his top priority.
★★★★★
Our guide and bus driver Luke was incredibly friendly, attentive and SO knowledgeable. He talked for around six hours and shared fascinating information about Western Australian history, geology, Aboriginal culture, wildlife and so much more. We learnt far more than we ever would have visiting Wave Rock independently.
★★★★★
The trip was well organised, enjoyable, and definitely worth the long journey. Wave Rock itself was amazing to see in person, and I also enjoyed the other stops along the way. [...] It was a long day, but a memorable one and a great way to see a different side of Western Australia.
★★★★★
Even though it was a long journey, we had stop overs to take pictures of the beautiful wild flowers and canola fields. [...] The Wave Rock is spectacular and the view from the top is mesmerizing. The Hippo's Yawn and Mulka's Cave are equally fantastic.
★★★★★
An excellent day trip such a knowledgeable driver and great stops on the way. We couldn’t have asked for more with our guide and such a personal touch . A long day but worth every minute thank you
★★★★★
Great experience with our guide Jonathan at all Wave Rock, Hippo Yawn and Mulka Cave. Everything was well organised [...] Just be prepared for long hour ride but all worthy. We even encountered Echidna at Wild unbelievable, my children were super excited.
★★★★★
Sean our guide was amazing! He was so informative and told us a lot about the history of areas we visited and the native wildlife and fauna. There is a lot of driving but Sean broke it up nicely. [...] Definitely a highlight of my trip to Australia.
★★★★★
Even though the weather wasn’t looking too promising at first, everything worked out perfectly. By the time we arrived at Wave Rock, the skies had cleared, making the views absolutely breathtaking. A huge shout-out to our guide and driver, Bryan!
Another day from Perth
Add the Pinnacles
Not Wave Rock: the limestone pillars of Nambung National Park lie north of Perth, the opposite direction. If you have
a second day, this is the other rock landscape people come for.
Perth's other great rock landscape lies north, not east. This tour reaches the Pinnacles in Nambung National Park for sunset, then serves dinner with a glass of wine under the stars, with a telescope for the night sky.
One rock, four ways to reach it from Perth, and a handful of things to see once you are there.
Why people make the trip
Photos make Wave Rock look bigger than it is, and somehow standing under it is still better. The curl hangs over you,
cool in its shadow, and the stripes run down the face in every shade of rust and cream. It is 15 m high and about 110 m
long, the Shire of Kondinin says, part of a granite hill that formed some 2.7 billion years ago. More than 100,000 people
come every year, and many of them for a single day from Perth.
The rock is only the start. Within a short walk or a 15-minute drive you also get Hippo's Yawn, a hollow boulder shaped like a hippo
mid-yawn; The Humps, with two short trails; and Mulka's Cave, where hand stencils mark one of the very few rock-art sites in
the south-west of Western Australia. Lake Magic, a salt lake a kilometre or so north, turns pink and green at sunrise.
Inside Hippo's Yawn, a short walk from Wave Rock.
The coach day: the easy choice
The coach day tour is the one most people book, and its 4.6 from 602 reviews explain why. You are
picked up at selected Perth CBD hotels, stop at York and pass the Dog Cemetery, then reach Hippo's Yawn, a country lunch,
Wave Rock and Mulka's Cave. Lunch and every entry fee are included. Guests keep naming their driver-guides, who talk for
hours about the Wheatbelt, its geology and Aboriginal culture.
Good to know: it is a 12.5-hour day with up to 48 people on the coach, and about 4 hours of each
way is on the road. Guests say the time flies with a good guide. If your group is bigger than four, compare the
private option below.
Private car or plane?
The private day tour costs one price for up to nine people and visits Wave Rock, Hippo's Yawn and Mulka's Cave,
with a sausage-sizzle lunch in Hyden. Split six ways, it costs less per head than the coach. The scenic flight
is the luxury answer to the distance: off from Jandakot at 7:30am, at the rock before the coaches, and back in Perth by
noon. It skips Mulka's Cave and needs two adults minimum.
The Humps, where the trails to Mulka's Cave start.
Driving yourself
It is a straightforward drive on sealed highways, about 340 km and 4 hours from Perth. You pay A$15 per car at the
ticket machine or kiosk at the base of the rock, and that pass also covers Hippo's Yawn, The Humps and Mulka's Cave. Stay
the night at the resort or caravan park if you can: sunset on the wave and sunrise at Lake Magic make the drive worth twice
as much. The full route is in the drive guide.
Longer trips that pass through
The 6-day tour to Esperance stops at Wave Rock on its first day, then heads to Fitzgerald River, Lucky
Bay's white sand and kangaroos, Bremer Bay and Margaret River, camping in swags most nights. It suits travelers who want the
whole south of the state in one go.
Straight answers to what people ask most about Wave Rock.
Is it worth going to Wave Rock?
Yes, if you plan the day around the drive. The rock is a 15 m high granite wave about 110 m long, and within a few kilometres you also get Hippo's Yawn, The Humps, Mulka's Cave and Lake Magic. The catch is distance: about 4 hours each way from Perth. The coach day tour does it in 12.5 hours with lunch and entry included, and the scenic flight has you back in Perth by noon. More in is Wave Rock worth it.
Where is Wave Rock located?
Just east of the small town of Hyden in the Wheatbelt of Western Australia, in the Shire of Kondinin. The Shire puts Hyden about 340 km east of Perth by road on the Brookton Highway. The car park is at the foot of the rock, a 100 m walk from the wave itself.
How long does it take to drive from Perth to Wave Rock?
About 4 hours for roughly 340 km. Wave Rock Management gives about 3 hours 15 minutes from the southern suburbs via Brookton and Corrigin, and about 3 hours 30 minutes from the northern suburbs via York and Quairading. Watch for kangaroos and emus at dawn and dusk. The route, stops and fuel are in the Perth to Wave Rock drive guide.
Does it cost to go to Wave Rock?
Yes, if you drive in yourself: A$15 per vehicle, the Shire of Kondinin says, paid at the ticket machine or the Wave Rock kiosk at the base of the rock. The pass also covers Hippo's Yawn, The Humps and Mulka's Cave. On the coach and private day tours the entry is already in the price. See entry fee and walks.
How long should you stay at Wave Rock?
One to two hours covers the wave, the walk to Hippo's Yawn and the climb onto the top of Hyden Rock. Give it half a day to add The Humps and Mulka's Cave, a 15-minute drive north, and Lake Magic. The private tour allows about 1.5 hours at Wave Rock itself, plus the other stops.
What is the best time to see Wave Rock?
Late winter and spring. The Shire of Kondinin says the wildflowers are best from August to October, and the days are mild. Summer is hot: the January mean maximum in Hyden is 33.9°C. Early morning and late afternoon give softer light on the stripes and fewer coaches.
The Hippo's Yawn loop from Wave Rock and the car park is about 1 km, the Shire says. At The Humps, the Gnamma Trail is 1,220 m and the Kalari Trail to the summit is 1,670 m. You can also walk up onto Hyden Rock above the wave. Trail maps are at the Wave Rock kiosk.
Can you stay at Wave Rock?
Yes. Wave Rock Management runs the Wave Rock Resort, the Wave Rock Caravan Park and camping right by the rock, and there is the Wave Rock Hotel in Hyden. Staying over gives you sunset at the rock and sunrise at Lake Magic, and a float in the salt pool (adults A$10). See things to see near Wave Rock.
Are dogs allowed at Wave Rock?
Yes, on a lead at Wave Rock and on its walking trails. Dogs are not allowed on the Hyden Rock Walk, which crosses the Hyden water catchment. The Wave Rock Caravan Park takes pets on its sites, and a few cabins and cottages are pet-friendly by arrangement.
How old is Wave Rock, and what kind of rock is it?
About 2.7 billion years old, the Shire of Kondinin says. It is granite of the Yilgarn Craton, and the wave is a "flared slope": groundwater rotted the base of the rock under the old soil surface, and erosion later cleared the soft material away. The stripes are mineral stains washed down the face. More in how Wave Rock formed.
Where should I stop between Perth and Wave Rock?
York, the oldest inland town in Western Australia, is about 97 km from Perth on the northern route. On the southern route, the Dog Cemetery west of Corrigin on the Brookton Highway has been there since 1974. Kondinin is the last town before Hyden. The coach tour stops at York and passes the Dog Cemetery.
Ready to book
Pick your way there, then your day.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on every Wave Rock day tour.
Private
★ 5.012 hoursFree cancellation
