Mt. Augustus, the world's largest rock, sits in the Golden Outback of Western Australia east of Carnarvon. Standing as a testament to the stark beauty that nature itself bestows, Australia’s great Mt. Augustus is a natural landmark that is deserving of all the accolades afforded to this great part of nature.
With a national park dedicated to the great space in which Mt. Augustus resides, it is one of the greatest spots in Western Australia. Rich with heritage and untouched beauty, Mt. Augustus is an awesome place of discovery and adventure that is a much-loved area for many.
Located 460km east of Carnarvon and 390km west of Meekatharra, you'll find the world's largest monocline, known as Burringurrah by the local Wadjari Aboriginal people. For holiday accommodation in Carnavon and holiday rental in Meekatharra, try Search and Stay .
The rock of Mount Augustus itself is about eight kilometres long and covers an area of 4,795 hectares within Mount Augustus National Park. The granite rock that lies beneath Mount Augustus is 1,650 million years old. This makes it nearly twice the size of Uluru (Ayers Rock) and considerably older. It is also the biggest 'rock' in the world. The difference between Uluru and Mt. Augustus is that Uluru is a rock monolith consisting of a single rock while Mt. Augustus is a monocline formed by a geological linear, strata dip in one direction between horizontal layers on each side. Regardless of the geographical explanation, its colours during dawn and dusk are breathtaking, changing from deep indigo to bright pink, orange or red and occasionally green, proposing numerous Instagramable opportunities.
Mount Augustus is a star attraction on the Kingsford Smith Mail Run – one of the three self-drive trails with interpretive signage that make up the Gascoyne Murchison Outback Pathways. If you need to know where to stay in the Gascoyne visit Search and Stay.
Loop Drive
There is a 49-kilometre self-drive circuit around Mt Augustus National Park suitable for conventional two-wheel-drive vehicles. This circuit offers views of the changing faces of the rock and access to a number of key sites including rocky creek gorges, caves, Aboriginal rock art, picnic sites and various walking/hiking trails.
Emu Hill Lookout
The lookout is a good location to take photographs of Mount Augustus and sunrise or sunset is usually spectacular. To get to Emu Hill Lookout turn north approximately 6km north-west of the park boundary (on the Cobra-Mount Augustus Road), and drive 1.5km along a track suitable for two-wheel-drive vehicles.
Mount Augustus Walk Trails
Aboriginal etchings can be found on short walks around the rock at Flintstone Rock, Mundee and Ooramboo. For the more fit and energetic there are a number of longer walk trails available including a return hike to the rock's summit.
The Summit Trail is a 12km, six to eight-hour return hike that should only be attempted by fit and experienced bushwalkers and hikers.
From the summit, there are extensive views over the surrounding plain, drainage basin and distant ranges. The Mount Augustus National Park ranger can give you advice before setting out on this walk. Parks and Wildlife have more information on visiting Mount Augustus National Park. Search and Stay has holiday rentals in Western Australia so try Search and Stay for holiday accommodation in WA's Gold Region and Golden Outback.
For more information: AustraliasGoldenOutback.com
Source: The Gold Region Tourism Organization.
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