Wave Rock: Day Trips and Tours from Perth

Standing around 15 meters high and 110 meters long, Wave Rock is a multi-colored granite rock formation that has a wave-like appearance. This impressive striped rock face located in Western Australia is part of a larger granite outcrop called Hyden Rock.

Wave Rock is considered a sacred and significant site by the Ballardong people and is part of the Hyden Wildlife Park. Witnessing this spectacular flared slope on a day trip to Wave Rock from Perth is well worth your time, as it is often a stop on the itinerary of travelers continuing east across the Nullabor to South Australia.

Here's all you need to know about Wave Rock, one of the most popular day trips from Perth.

How to get to Wave Rock from Perth?

Wave Rock is located close to the town of Hyden, around 350 kilometers south-east of Perth in Western Australia.

From Perth to Wave Rock by car

You are able to self-drive to Wave Rock from Perth by traveling through farmlands to Hyden along State Route 40. From Hyden, Wave Rock is a short 5-minute drive. The 335 kilometer journey takes between three and a half and four hours.

Guided tour to Wave Rock from Perth

Guided tours to Wave Rock allow you to sit back, relax and enjoy the journey and destination in a convenient and hassle-free way. Guided tours are generally full day activities of up to 13 hours, and offer transport either by road or air to Wave Rock.

Road tours typically include a hotel or central meeting point pickup, while tours that include a scenic flight meet at the flight operator’s terminal in Perth.

How much does the entrance ticket to Wave Rock cost?

During Wave Rock’s official opening hours, an entrance fee of approximately US$10 per vehicle is charged.

What is the typical itinerary?

If your tour takes place exclusively by road, you are collected from your hotel, or directed to a central meeting point for an early morning collection. Travel by air conditioned minibus from Perth to Wave Rock, possibly stopping at the small historical town of York on the way.

Your guide will share stories about the cultural significance of Wave Rock and tell you more about the history of the region. Other points of interest that may be visited include Hippo’s Yawn and Mulka’s Cave.

After a full day of exploration, your tour returns to Perth, arriving in the mid-evening.

With an air and ground tour, you start your tour at the airfield and enjoy a scenic flight across the region to Wave Rock. Because traveling time is shorter, you may have time to visit attractions nearby such as the Wave Rock Wildlife Park, the lace museum or toy soldier museum. In the afternoon your flight returns to Perth.

All tours allow time for lunch, but whether this is included in the tour price is dependent on the type of tour you book.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Wave Rock?

It is a long drive from Perth to Wave Rock and you can expect your excursion to take as long as 13 hours. Here is a summary of the different kinds of tours from Perth to Wave Rock.

Guided group tours to Wave Rock from Perth

Guided group tours commence in the early morning with a collection from your hotel in Perth and a drive to the historical town of York in the Avon Valley.

Private guided tour to Wave Rock from Perth

A private guided tour starts in the early morning with a hotel pickup. Your knowledgeable guide will discuss your day’s itinerary preferences.

While Wave Rock is typically the primary destination, other stops along the way might include York’s Town Hall and Beverly and its art deco buildings. You'll also see the country town of Corrigan, the creative community of Kondinin and the Hippo’s Yawn rock formation.

Air and ground tour to Wave Rock from Perth

This tour begins with a scenic flight from Perth to Wave Rock. Following a ground tour of attractions such as Wave Rock and Hippo’s Yawn and optional activities including the miniature soldier museum, lace museum and wildlife park.

After a few hours on the ground, take off and fly over the nearby limestone Pinnacles before heading back to Perth in the afternoon.

Air and ground tour from Perth to Wave Rock plus Rottnest Island

On a small group air and ground tour from Perth to Wave Rock and Rottnest Island, your tour starts with a scenic flight to Wave Rock. You can enjoy morning tea and optional activities like the miniature soldier museum, lace museum and wildlife park.  

After your visit to Wave Rock, the next stop on the itinerary is the unique island of Rottnest. You can swim, snorkel or hang out with the local Quokkas, adorable mammals that are quite used to human presence.

Wave Rock day trip plus York tour from Perth

Following a collection from the Crown Perth Hotel, you’ll travel by minibus to the historical gold rush and cattle station town of York.

Passing through the wheatbelt the tour continues to Wave Rock before a final stop to view cave paintings at Mulka Cave. Arrive back in Perth at roughly 8:30 PM.

How much does a day trip to Wave Rock from Perth cost?

Guided group tours to Wave Rock from Perth in a small group start at US$160 per adult and US$90 for children between the ages of 4 and 12.

A private guided tour to Wave Rock from Perth is a full day excursion that costs from US$370 per adult and US$130 per child.

Air and ground tours to Wave Rock from Perth cost from US$1,000 per person. Children under the age of 2 are permitted to travel for free if sitting on the lap of an adult throughout the tour.

An air and ground tour from Perth to Wave Rock plus Rottnest Island are priced from US$750 per person. This includes all fees and taxes, but excludes meals and refreshments.

Wave Rock plus York tours from Perth start at US$160 per adult. Children over the age of 6 can join the tour for US$90. Children under 6 are not permitted on this tour.

What will you see and do?

On a tour to Wave Rock, you will travel through or over vast tracts of agricultural land. Apart from the rock formation itself, here are some of the other landmarks or attractions you may see in the region.

Hippo’s Rock

A 1.7-kilometer loop trail from Wave Rock heads east to the Hippo’s Yawn rock formation which resembles an enormous open-mouthed hippo. You can also drive to this formation if you prefer.

Lake Magic

Lake Magic is Australia’s own intriguing salt water lake. The lake changes color throughout the day and is a magical orange color at sunrise and sunset. Just beside Magic Lake is the smaller Wave Rock Salt Bath where, if you bring a swimsuit, you can experience the buoyancy of floating in the salty waters.

Mulka’s Cave

Mulka’s Cave is a significant site to the Noongar people and is protected as an Aboriginal Heritage site. Here you can view over 400 ancient rock art motifs depicting Aboriginal stories and legends.

What are the opening times?

The official opening time for Wave Rock is between 9 AM and 5 PM. During these hours an entrance fee is payable. Access is not restricted after hours, but there is no lighting installed.

When is the best time to visit Wave Rock?

Wave Rock can be visited year-round. November to March offers the best chance for clear skies, but it will be hot. September is the best time to see the local wildflowers. Winter weather is changeable and can be cold or rainy.

If you visit at sunset, you can watch the rock face change color as the sun disappears and on cloudless nights, you will have an excellent view of the starry Southern skies.

What are the other day trips from Perth?

• Day trip to Swan Valley from Perth
• Day trip to Pinnacles Desert from Perth
• Margaret River day trips and tours from Perth
• Day trip to Penguin Island from Perth

Travel tips

• Pack sunscreen and wear a wide brimmed hat.
• Apply insect repellent, especially in spring and summer to keep the flies away.
• Carry bottled water with you and drink regularly to avoid dehydration.
• Wear comfortable shoes with non-slip soles.
• Advise your tour operator if you have any mobility issues