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Mount Augustus Tourist Park
Gascoyne Junction
One of the most spectacular solitary peaks in the world, it rises 717 metres above a stony, red sandplain of arid shrubland - dominated by wattles, cassias and eremphilas - and is clearly visible from the air for more than 160 kilometres.
The rock itself, which culminates in a small peak on a plateau, is about eight kilometres long and covers an area of 4,795 hectares. About twice the size of Uluru (Ayers Rock) it is the biggest 'rock' in the world.
Description
Around the sandstone and quartz massif, a 49 km drive provides access to rocky creek gorges, Aboriginal rock engravings (petroglyphs) and a variety of wildlife on the rocks, plains and water courses.
Drainage lines from the rocks seep beneath the surrounding sands to feed groves of white-barked river gums. Elsewhere mulga, myall, gidgee and other wattles are dispersed across the red sandplain. Here honeyeaters, babblers and galahs forage for food. Nearby emus seek fruits, and bustards snatch insects and small reptiles from the gound. Bungarras (goannas) and red kangaroos are common on the plain, while euros and birds of prey are found closer to the rock.
At Cattle Pool on the Lyons River, a tributary of the Gascoyne, permanent pools attract waterbirds such as black cormorants, swans and ducks. In the trees are corellas and blue-winged kookaburras.
Mount Augustus Western Australia WA, Gascoyne Junction 6705