The main sight in Hyden is the 14 m high, and 110 m long Wave Rock, an escarpment that resembles a huge wave. Wave Rock is believed to have formed over 2700 million years ago. It is part of the northern face of Hyden Rock. The shape of the wave is formed by gradual erosion of the softer rock beneath the upper edge, over many centuries. There are actually several examples of such 'waves' in the Hyden area, and if you have the time, it is well worth the effort to see some of the other smaller, but equally spectacular, ones.
The colors of the Wave are caused by the rain washing chemical deposits (carbonates and iron hydroxide) down the face, forming vertical stripes of grays reds and yellows. If you can stay a little longer, it is also worth seeing the Rock at different times of the day, as the changing sunlight alters its colors and appearance.
In addition to being an impressive tourist attraction, the rock has been converted in to a catchment for the town's water supplies, with a foot-high concrete wall around the upper edge of Hyden Rock directing rainfall into a storage dam.
Hyden is in Western Australia, 305 km southeast of Perth and some 2800 km west of Canberra.
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