Solitude and Stone
Murphy’s Haystacks delivered everything we love about travelling off the main road: a quiet camp, dramatic scenery, and a little local flavour to top it all off.
We pulled into the donation camp beside the haystacks and to our amazement, had the whole place to ourselves. That meant uninterrupted time to wander among the ancient granite boulders, first under golden sunset and again in the soft glow of sunrise. Their otherworldly shapes, weathered by millions of years, looked like something straight out of a dreamscape. Without the usual hum of other travellers, we could soak up the silence and feel the presence of the landscape.
The haystacks themselves are a geological marvel known as inselbergs — ancient granite outcrops that have stood the test of time while the softer rock around them eroded away. Shaped over millions of years by wind and weather, they rise abruptly from the farmland like a gathering of silent giants. Both eerie and beautiful, their rounded forms and pockmarked surfaces feel almost sculptural, as if placed here by some giant hand. It’s no wonder they’ve inspired local legends and continue to draw curious travellers off the highway.
In the morning, we spread thick slices of toast with Haystack honey from the little stall at the campsite. Sweet, floral and hyper-local, the kind of souvenir we wish we could carry by the jarful.
Not far from the haystacks, we explored Woolshed Cave and the nearby rockpools. The cave’s sweeping, wave-like walls were sculpted by the sea, and the surrounding pools revealed tiny sea creatures.
It’s a spot that quietly impresses, made even better by having it all to ourselves.
Exploring the unbeaten paths of Australia, one adventure at a time! 🌿 Follow along as we uncover hidden gems, tackle rugged terrains, and embrace the thrill of exploring offbeat destinations. 🚙💨
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From railway tragedy in Bogantungan to the supermarket aisles of Emerald, this leg of our trip marked the shift from outback stillness to something closer to civilisation — with Carnarvon Gorge waiting just around the bend.