Hi everyone. I hope 2025 has started well for you.
Last year I brought to you my Midwest, Goldfields, Wildflower Trundle which started in September - and I promised to bring you the last part. Finally here it is.
To recap here is the map - for part 7 we are on our homeward run, leaving Karalee Rock and heading to Elachbutting Rock and nearby Beringbooding Rock, before heading south through Bruce Rock where we stayed overnight at my nephew's farm, then back home to Bunbury.
We only had 194km to drive from Karalee Rock to Elachbutting Rock, so we didn't rush in the morning, but were on the road by 9am, arriving at Elachbutting Rock around 1pm. Located off Elachbutting Road in the Walyahmoning Nature Reserve, the rock is accessed via well maintained gravel roads. We stopped for morning tea at Southern Cross, on the Great Eastern Highway, and were able to empty our waste water put clean water into our caravan. We then travelled north through Bullfinch, then west along the Koorda Bullfinch Road, before turning north onto the Rabbit Proof Fence Road.
It is easy to see why Elachbutting Rock got its name which is thought to mean “big thing standing” in the local indigenous language. This prominent landmark is one of a number of granite outcrops that rise abruptly from the plains of the wheatbelt landscape. Unfortunately I don't have a photo of it taken from a distance - but you might be able to get an idea from this image.
We easily found a spot to set up with some light shade in the free camping area located amongst natural bushland at the base of the eastern side of the rock, 1.8 kilometres from the park entrance. Visitors are requested to stay on the designated tracks. Watch for overhanging branches on the way in.
A map at the entrance to the park shows the five kilometre one way track which winds around the rock and the location of the walking trail and physical features.
We hadn't camped here for a number of years, so it was good to visit again. There is plenty of space to set up, and more open areas further away from the rock, especially if you are setting up with a group.
There are walking trails to explore. Not far from the park entrance is a 200 metre easy walk trail which leads to two rainbow coloured rock waves, similar to but smaller than Hyden’s famous Wave Rock, the 40 metre Monty’s Pass tunnel beneath a rock slide, and Kings Cave, a large acoustic cavern where you can create echoes by stamping your feet at either end. You might decided as we did, that wearing a fly net is a good idea when you are walking about exploring.
A 4WD-only track takes you to the top of the rock where you will see spectacular 360 degree views of farmland to the west and mostly inaccessible virgin bushland to the east beyond the Vermin Proof Fence marking the edge of the north eastern wheatbelt.
There is a rock cairn located on the
rock’s highest point. Along the way you will see numerous gnamma holes (rock depressions which collect water during rain) and huge rock slips and cracks which show the effects of the
incredible forces of nature on the rock.
You may also see Ornate Dragon Lizards (Ctenophurus
Ornatus), scampering
over and under rock crevices.
Below are a couple of photos taken by my husband - the Ornate Dragon Lizard and possibly the Brown Flycatcher.
Located only 200 metres from the camping area is an old well which has five to six rows of dry wall stones above a clay or stone shaft. This well is typical of other wells in the area which were built to provide a water supply for settlers.
And some more wildflowers from our wanders. I will attempt to identify some of them - starting clockwise from top left - possible on the the Teatrees, possibly one of the yellow Immortells or Waitzias, Tall Mulla Mulla just opening (Ptilotus exaltatus), Long tails Mulla Mulla (Ptilotus polystachyus), possibly Burrobunga (Olearia pimeleoides), possibly a yellow Immortelle variety, one of the pink everlastings varieties, I think the greeny one is one of the saltbush varieties, and in the middle a show of yellow immortells or waitzias.
And in the rock gardens on the rock - clockwise from top left - spikey rock garden plants, lemon scented sun orchid, clown orchid, the red is either the one-sided bottlebrush or a clawflower, granite sun orchid, and the little laughing leek orchid.
And at days end - there's plenty of time and space for a game of bocce, then after dinner sit by the fire and toast marshmallows and enjoy the peace and quiet under the night sky.
It is only 20km from Elachbutting Rock to Beringbooding Rock, so we drove over for the morning. I wrote a blog post about Beringbooding Rock and water tank back in June. You can click on the link above to read more about it.
Beringbooding Rock is dominated by a ten and a quarter million litre water tank built during 1937-38 for the farming community. It is the largest rock water catchment tank in Australia. The concrete tank and catchment was built by sustenance labour, a scheme which provided employment during the Great Depression. Over the years the corrugated iron roof covering the concrete tank started to come adrift through age and strong winds, creating a safety hazard, and has now been removed. The shire is committed to funding a new roof. Please - no swimming - the water is not drinkable.
The tank is fed by a seven hectare catchment area. Rock walls hewn from the rock itself encircle the rock and channel the rain water via a concrete aqueduct into the tank. These slabs were sledged away, stood on their sides and cemented together to form rock walls up to a metre high.
The picnic and small free camping area suitable for caravans and camper trailers is conveniently located at the base of the rock. They have built a new smaller water tank to service this.
A 2.3 kilometre walk trail starts at the gate at the base of the tank and takes you over the rock to a variety of natural features. There are said to be cave paintings, but we have never found them - perhaps looking in the wrong place.
I suggest you take a photo of the information map and allow a minimum of one and a half hours for your walk. The rock cairn at the highest point was erected in 1889 by surveyor and early explorer HS King. You can enjoy 360 degree views over grain-growing farmland to the south and west, and virgin bushland to the north and east.
One wonders how the rock you see above balances there, seemingly defying gravity. Below is the Kangaroo Pool and the Granite Kunzea (Kunzea pulchella) that grows there.
And some more wildflowers - of course! Clockwise from top left - Long tails Mulla Mulla (Ptilotus polystachyus), Quandongs (Santalum acuminatum) (an edible fruit), Native Cornflower (Brunonia australis), Hop Bush (Dodonaea inaequifolia), possibly the Nodding Chocolate Lily (Dichopogan preissii), and lastly one of the small Fringe Lilies.
If you are visiting Elachbutting and Beringbooding Rocks I would suggest you camp at Elachbutting.
An eco wheelchair friendly toilet and a couple of picnic tables and fire rings are provided. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own firewood, take note of fire-ban months, and take their rubbish away. Pets and motorbikes are discouraged. If you are camping you need to be self-sufficient with food, water and anything else you may want. The camping area is suitable for caravans, camper trailers and tents, although caravaners need to be aware of overhanging branches along the track.
For more information:
To catch up on the rest of the tour - here are Links to our Midwest-Goldfields-Wheatbelt Trundle 2024. By the way - the campsites I have shown you on this tour are easy to get to on well made gravel roads. No hard off roading for us these days.
Wheatbelt Central - Bruce Rock Caravan Park
Beringbooding Rock water tank and catchment
Rock building blocks and water catchments
Camp food - Western Australian wheatbelt
Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope you have enjoyed my Western Australian Midwest, Goldfields, Wildflower trundle. I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Have a wonderful week.
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