Big Rock Show: Mt Augustus

Early morning, we departed from our magic freecamp at Fletcher's Crossing where budgies nested, dozens of butterflies congregated, and the dawn was spectacular.

An hour later we saw it: soaring 1,105 metres above the bushscape, Mt Augustus is the biggest rock in the world, many times larger than Ayers Rock. 

We drove the 56km circuit of its base, a beautiful drive through mallee bushland that included a patch of road pockmarked with active, subterranean nests of the fascinating Dawson's Burrowing Bee.

We skipped the 12km summit hike, a strenuous effort that has incurred a few hikers' deaths. Robert made it to the first sign with a thumbs up, continued left for 200m to Beedoboondu, the Flintstone Rock to admire the petroglyphs underneath, then returned to the sign to feign exhaustion.

At Cattle Pool – Goolinee, a scenic permanent waterhole, we viewed where the drovers used to water their mobs of cattle before the 12 day drove to Meekatharra.

At Mundee – Ooramboo site, the short and scenic rock Petroglyph Trail led us to Wajarri (local aboriginal) engravings (petroglyphs) in a picturesque site on the cliff top.

We stayed at the spic and span campground run by the Mount Augustus station. Preparations were in full swing with lights and chairs for the biggest Barbie in Australia, complete with master chef and luscious steaks...but we had to leave.

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Mt Augustus; Mount Augustus; Western Australia; Flintstone Rock; Mundee