Elachbutting Rock

Elachbutting Rock Nature Reserve in Western Australia is home to the stunning and impressive granite rock formation of Elachbutting Rock.

Located approximately 20km east of Bonnie Rock and 60km north east of Mukinbudin, this beautiful natural wonder is a part of the Great Western Woodlands - a vast array of woodlands and forest that is one of the largest intact remnants of Mediterranean climate woodland, shrubland, and grassland habitats in the world.

The enormous natural rock formation is truly a sight to behold and is said to resemble the famous Wave Rock. There are several cavern areas to explore, complete with gnamma holes on top, as well as natural bushland to wander around in. One of the most unique features of the area is Monty's Pass, a 30-to-40 m tunnel that runs along the edge of the rock, leading to Kings Cave, which can be easily reached via a short walk.

Elachbutting Rock, along with many other granite outcrops in the Wheatbelt, stands atop the ancient Yilgarn Craton. This geological plate is over 2.5 to 3.5 billion years in age and underlies much of Southern Western Australia. The rock's name is said to come from the local Indigenous Australian dialect, with "Elachbutting" meaning "that thing standing," in reference to the rock's prominent place in the local landscape.

Harry Anstey, a pioneer who helped chart a route to the Yilgarn goldfields in 1887, described the rock and the surrounding area as having "an enormous mass of rocks covering between 100 to 200 acres [40 to 81 ha] at which there are cock