List of rocks in Western Australia, C-E facts for kids
Western Australia is a huge state in Australia, and it's home to many amazing natural features, including countless unique rock formations! This article is all about the special rocks, boulders, and other cool rock shapes that have been officially named and recorded by the government. When a place is "gazetted," it means its name and location are officially written down in government records.
This list includes all sorts of rocky features found across Western Australia, both on land and along the coast. It covers everything from giant boulders and tall, pointy rocks called pinnacles, to rugged cliffs (crags) and interesting rock pillars. However, it doesn't include huge mountains or hills that are already named as "mounts" or "hills," like the famous Mount Augustus.
The information here comes from official records up to 1996, with names checked against 2004 data. So, while it's a very complete list for that time, some new rocks might have been named, or old names changed, since then.
Contents
What Kinds of Rocks Are There?
Western Australia's landscape is full of incredible rock formations, each with its own unique shape and story. Here are some of the types you might find:
- Boulders: These are large, detached rocks, often rounded by erosion. Imagine a giant's marbles scattered across the land!
- Pinnacles: These are tall, pointed rock formations that stand up like natural towers. They often look like something from another planet.
- Crags: These are steep, rugged rocks or cliffs. They can be challenging to climb but offer amazing views.
- Needles and Pillars: Similar to pinnacles, these are very slender, tall rock columns. They often look like giant natural sculptures.
- Rock Formations: This is a general term for any group of rocks that have been shaped by nature into interesting patterns or structures.
- Tors: These are large, free-standing rock outcrops that often appear on hilltops. They are usually made of granite and look like piles of giant, rounded blocks.
Exploring Western Australia's Named Rocks
Western Australia has thousands of officially named rocks, each with its own location. Many of these names describe what the rock looks like, or they might be named after people or local stories. While we can't list them all here, let's look at a few examples from the official records to give you an idea of how diverse and interesting these formations are.
Rocks Starting with 'C'
- Cabbage Tree Rock: A rock named after a type of tree, perhaps found nearby.
- Camel Peaks and Camel Rock: These might be named because their shapes remind people of a camel's hump or head.
- Canal Rocks: Located near the coast, these rocks form natural channels or "canals" where the ocean water flows through.
- Castle Rock: There are several "Castle Rocks" in WA, probably because their shapes resemble old castles or fortresses.
- Cathedral Rocks: These rocks might have towering, grand shapes that remind people of a large cathedral.
- Chimney Rocks: Imagine tall, narrow rock formations that look like chimneys!
- Chinese Walls: This name suggests a long, wall-like rock formation, perhaps with a unique texture.
- Coffin Rock: A rock named for its shape, which might resemble a coffin.
- Cockatoo Rock and Cockatoo Rocks: Named after the famous Australian birds, perhaps because they are found in areas where cockatoos live, or the rocks themselves have a white, cockatoo-like appearance.
- Cone Rock and Conical Rock: These rocks are shaped like a cone.
- Cow and Calf Rocks and Cow Rock: These names are often given to a large rock (the "cow") with a smaller rock nearby (the "calf").
- Crocodile Rock: This rock likely has a shape that looks like a crocodile.
- Crystal Rock: This name might suggest a rock with a shiny or crystalline appearance.
Rocks Starting with 'D'
- Danger Rocks: A name that warns sailors or explorers about hidden dangers.
- Dead Horse Rocks: The name might come from a historical event or a local legend.
- Declaration Rock: This name could be linked to a historical moment or a significant event that happened there.
- Devils Rock and Devils Slide: These names often come from local folklore or because the rocks are particularly challenging or intimidating.
- Diamond Rock: Perhaps this rock has a sparkling appearance or a unique, angular shape.
- Dice Rock: A rock that might be cube-shaped, like a dice.
- Dingo Rock: Several rocks share this name, likely because dingoes (wild dogs) are common in those areas, or the rock has a dingo-like shape.
- Disappointment Rock: This name might come from explorers who found the rock to be a letdown after a long journey, or it didn't offer what they hoped for.
- Disaster Rock: Similar to Danger Rocks, this name suggests a place where something unfortunate happened.
- Dog Rock: Like Dingo Rock, this name is common and might refer to the shape or local wildlife.
- Dome Rock: A rock with a rounded, dome-like top.
- Dragon Rocks: This name suggests a rock formation that looks like a dragon, perhaps with jagged edges or a long, winding shape.
- Duck Rock: A rock shaped like a duck, or found in an area with many ducks.
- Dumpling Rocks: These rocks might be rounded and plump, like dumplings.
Rocks Starting with 'E'
- Eagle Rock: This rock might be a nesting place for eagles, or its shape resembles an eagle.
- East Rock: Often named for its location relative to another landmark.
- Elephant Rocks: These famous rocks are known for their large, rounded shapes that look like a herd of elephants bathing in the water.
- Emu Rock and Emu Rocks: Named after Australia's large flightless bird, perhaps due to their shape or the presence of emus in the area.
- Epileptic Rock: This is an unusual name, possibly linked to a local story or a unique, perhaps unsettling, feature of the rock.
- Escape Rock and Escape Rocks: These names might relate to a historical event where people escaped from danger near these rocks.
- Eyre Rock: Named after a person, perhaps an early explorer or settler.
See also
