Hanging Rock — Attraction in Woodend

Hanging Rock has changed a bit since I had first visited there in the mid 70s. These days they charge admission, but it is worth it. For the one cost per car load, (regardless of how many passengers) you can enter.

The information centre is informative with good reading and facts, as well as some artistic sculptures.

There are many areas with picnic tables or clearings where you can have a picnic.

It is both an easy climb and challenging walk in some sections. On a foggy, misty, and damp day (like the day I visited) shoes with good tread and grip will be very helpful.

At approx 718mtrs height the climb is a gradual and steady one and I seen several elderly visitors using canes, but still able to climb a fair way up, and some walking to the top.

The way to the summit is marked with little arrows, which are either difficult to find, or some are missing. I found the higher I climbed the fewer arrows I could see.

There are also many spots that are numbered and named as sites of interest, however I could not find them all.

There seems to be no way of being able to tell if you have found the summit, as there is no marker, but after conquering Hanging Rock I felt a sign saying: “Wow you made it to the summit, congratulations!” would had been fantastic, especially for anyone with any handicaps, and would also be a great background for a selfie shot.

There is ample photo opportunities at Hanging Rock which is a geological wonder. The columns of rocks are unique in stature and look, with some of the rocks almost resembling faces, a rock that hangs over in almost an arch shape, balancing boulders on rocks or wedged between rock columns, small cave like areas and drops.

I was really happy to see that the replanting of native trees, plants, and bushes is happening in good numbers at Hanging Rock and once they grow it is going to look even better.

Hanging Rock has very strong mystical and sacred vibes to it that most people can clearly sense, and when visiting on a misty and foggy day it can also add a touch of eeriness to those vibes!

I was ecstatic to see some native wildlife at Hanging Rock including some kangaroos, some colorful rosellas, and some black currawongs with angry shaped, piercing yellow eyes up on the rocks who strangely looked like they were guardians of the area as they carefully watched the visitors hiking by, two of these birds actually followed me watching from the trees and near the track. Signs of life are numerous with plenty of animal tracks and scatters to be seen about.

The entry sign to the rocks stated “No Dogs” permitted on the rocks, this is to protect the wildlife that may be there (and no doubt would also protect the dogs from any accidents too). Although I left my large dog in my car with someone to keep it company, I was dismayed to see some people with smaller dogs on the rock tracks with their dogs in carry bags and on leashes blatantly ignoring the “No dogs” rule.

The area is locked up at a certain time, so if you wish to picnic and hike for many hours it would be a good idea to get there early, like in the morning.

Overall I really enjoyed my visit and I would definitely recommend Hanging Rock! It is one of Victorias many...

Hanging Rock is a geological formation located in the Macedon Ranges, approximately 70 kilometers northwest of Melbourne, Australia. It is a popular tourist destination for its unique rock formations and surrounding bushland.

The main attraction at Hanging Rock is the rock formation itself, which is a series of concentric basalt columns that rise up to 100 meters in height. The columns are formed from the cooling of molten lava and are said to be over 300 million years old.

Visitors to Hanging Rock can hike to the top of the formation for stunning views of the surrounding countryside. There are also a number of walking trails that wind through the bushland, passing by waterfalls and other scenic spots.

In addition to its natural beauty, Hanging Rock is also steeped in history and folklore. The Aboriginal people of the area have a number of stories about the rock, and it is believed to be a sacred site. In the 19th century, Hanging Rock was the site of a number of mysterious disappearances, which have been the subject of much speculation and intrigue.

Today, Hanging Rock is a popular tourist destination for both locals and visitors from all over the world. It is a place to enjoy the natural beauty of the Macedon Ranges, learn about the Aboriginal culture and history of the area, and perhaps even catch a glimpse of the elusive Hanging Rock "spirits".

Here are some things to keep in mind when visiting Hanging Rock:

The best time to visit is during the spring or autumn, when the weather is mild. Wear comfortable shoes, as there is a fair bit of walking involved. Bring water and snacks, as there are no facilities at the top of the rock formation. Be aware of the weather conditions and dress accordingly. Respect the natural environment and leave no trace. Overall, Hanging Rock is a beautiful and fascinating place to visit. It is a great place to enjoy the outdoors, learn about Aboriginal culture and history, and perhaps even catch a glimpse of the elusive Hanging...

This is an incredibly beautiful place to spend the day in. There is a Cafe and toilets with easy access, plenty of parking, a big open grassy oval and a playground for the little ones. Heaps of space to enjoy a picnic. I recommend going into the museum/information centre to learn about the history of the area before making your way up to the top of the rock. The half hour walk up wasn't hard, but with kids under 5 maybe come prepared to take it very slow and possibly carry them some of the way, especially if you choose the track that includes steps. There is another track without steps, but I didnt take that one so I don't know what it's like. There were quite a few young kids on the day I went, so it's definitely manageable either way. There are 2 big open areas on the way where you can rest and the views at both of them are amazing. Some of the flat rocks you need to walk across are slippery even in hot summer conditions, so appropriate footwear is important. And, in warmer months there could be snakes around, as there was when I was there In December, so keep that in mind. The views at the peak are absolutely beautiful. I 100% would do it again, it's worth every second. There is also a lake circuit walk within the park, and I think there was another walk that doesn't go as far up the rock, but again I can't comment on those as I didn't see them myself. That will...