Beringbooding Rock facts for kids

Beringbooding Rock is a huge granite rock formation found in Western Australia. It's about 65 kilometers (40 miles) northeast of a town called Mukinbudin, in a farming area known as the eastern Wheatbelt. This special place is known for its unique natural features and its history.

What Makes Beringbooding Rock Special?

Beringbooding Rock is more than just a big rock! It has several amazing things to see.

Nature's Sculptures

One of the most famous sights is a giant balancing boulder. It looks like it could fall over any minute, but it has been standing there for ages! The rock also shows how nature can be an artist. Over many, many years, wind and water have slowly worn away parts of the rock. This process, called weathering, has created interesting shapes. One part of the rock even looks like a giant wave, similar to the famous Wave Rock in Western Australia.

Ancient Art and Water Holes

You can also find a large gnamma hole at Beringbooding Rock. A gnamma hole is a natural hole in the rock that collects rainwater. These were very important water sources for Indigenous people for thousands of years. Inside a cave at the back of the rock, you can see ancient paintings of hands made by the Kalamaia people. These paintings are a special link to the past and show the history of the land.

Camping and Exploring

If you visit Beringbooding Rock, there are places to camp. You'll find picnic tables, fire pits, and even a toilet, making it a good spot for a day trip or an overnight adventure.

Australia's Biggest Rock Water Tank

Beringbooding Rock plays a very important role in collecting water. The rock itself covers about 18 acres (7.3 hectares). It's used to collect water for the largest rock water catchment tank in all of Australia! This massive tank can hold around 2.25 million imperial gallons (about 10.2 million liters) of water.

How the Tank Was Built

The huge water tank was built a long time ago, in 1937. It was a big project that cost a lot of money at the time. Workers who needed jobs during a difficult economic period helped build it. The water is collected from the rock's surface using a special wall built around the edge. This wall guides the rainwater into an aqueduct, which is like a channel or pipe. The aqueduct then carries the water into the tank when it rains. A roof was added to the tank to stop the water from evaporating, or drying up, in the sun.

Water for Settlers

Long before the big tank, Indigenous Australians knew Beringbooding was a reliable place to find water. Later, when European settlers arrived, two early wells were dug near the rock. In 1929, pumps were added to these wells. This was part of a plan called the "3500 Farms Scheme," which aimed to help more people settle and farm in the area. The surveys for the big water tank began in 1936 to make sure there was enough water for everyone.

Plants and Animals

The area around Beringbooding Rock is home to many interesting plants and animals. Some of the unique plants you might see include Leptospermum erubescens, Eucalyptus websteriana, and Kunzea pulchella. There are also different types of Melaleuca, Acacia, Grevillea, Hakea, and Calothamnus. You might even spot native fruit trees like Quandongs and Sandalwood trees, as well as beautiful native orchids. These plants provide food and shelter for many different kinds of birds. The area is also home to a small frog called the Günther's toadlet.