What are the Remarkable Rocks on Kangaroo Island?
The Remarkable Rocks are a cluster of huge, wind-sculpted granite boulders perched on a dome above the sea in Flinders Chase National Park, on Kangaroo Island in South Australia.
The granite formed deep underground from molten rock more than 500 million years ago. Over time, the overlying rock eroded away, and wind, rain and sea spray carved the exposed boulders into hollows, arches and strange curved shapes.
Bright orange lichen covers many of the rocks, contrasting with the grey granite and blue ocean behind them. The colours are especially striking in the late afternoon light.
Visiting the rocks
A boardwalk leads from the car park to the granite dome, where visitors can walk among the boulders. Some formations look like animals or giant waves, and they make popular subjects for photographers.
The rocks sit about 75 metres above the Southern Ocean. Strong winds are common, and visitors are warned to stay away from the cliff edge, as the dome slopes steeply toward the sea.
Remarkable Rocks is about a two-hour drive from the ferry terminal at Penneshaw. The 2019-20 bushfires burned the surrounding bush, but the rocks themselves were unharmed.
Did You Know?
One of the best-known formations is shaped like a giant eagle's beak.