A mini Wave Rock!
Murphy’s Haystacks won’t give you hay-fever because they’re massive “inselbergs.” Oh – if you aren’t a geologist these mini mountains are pink granite creations.
Working our way up the Eyre Peninsula, South Australia we stayed at Streaky Bay and did day trips from our base. Murphy’s Haystacks, AKA Australia’s very own Stonehenge, were first on the itinerary and what an incredible find this was – especially if you are a lover of photography.
Leaving Coffin Bay we headed north to up the Eyre Peninsula. Now this took a lot of willpower – I mean who wouldn’t want to stay for a month and feast on the world-famous oysters daily! Streaky Bay Islands Caravan Park was our home for the next three nights. This 10-star caravan park (ok its really a 5 star) even has separate bathrooms in the amenities block!
Table of Contents
Location of Murphy’s Haystacks
Rocks with views of Wheat and Canola fields.
- From Streaky Bay, you travel 39km southeast on the Flinders Highway.
- The turning is just 2km off the Flinders Highway and well signposted. Although you see “Murphy’s Haystacks” before the sign and will be gobsmacked. These rock formations do indeed look like crooked haystacks on a hilltop surrounded by wheat fields.
- There’s a parking lot and even a toilet to use before you head up the pathway towards the hill.
- Entry fee is $2 per person and there’s an honesty box at the entrance to the path that leads to Murphy’s Haystacks.
A Wow Factor!
Wow! Once we saw these mini mountains, withdrawal symptoms for Coffin Bay oysters were forgotten and we wait to get up close and personal to the 1,500 million-year-old rocks.
Now – that’s a different view!
To give Murphy’s Haystacks the correct geographical description, the incredible ancient wind-worn rocks are called “inselbergs” that is German for “island-mountain”.
Weathering Through the Ages
Geologists tell us that weathering over the years has shaped the granite to be the weird and wonky shapes they are today. Although the rocks only made their appearance OUT of the ground about 30,000 years ago – who knows how much granite is still underneath ready to push its way out and become a new haystack!
Word has it that the haystacks are weathering away and will probably be gone in another billion years, but no need to worry yet.
Contrast of Boulders and Crops.
Owner of Murphy’s Haystacks
The current owner of the property where these massive rocks are is Dennis Cash, Mr Murphy’s grandson. After serious thought, he agreed to open up his property to the public and create a better access. Dennis thought he may as well, because people were often walking right across the paddock to look at the rocks before there was even a safe track!
First glimpse of these prehistoric boulders.
Dennis admits he was worried about rubbish, graffiti and the like, but said allowing public access go to Murphy’s Haystacks was “one of the greatest things” his family had done.
NB – His son is a beekeeper and at the entrance to the haystack paddocks you’ll find large jars of honey for sale!
Why the name – Murphy’s Haystacks?
The boulders look like a crow of hay-stacks
Folklore tells us that a coach driver Charlie Mudge named Murphy’s Haystacks after hearing a comment from a Scottish Agricultural Advisor who saw the “inselbergs” from a distance. The boulders were shimmering in the hot afternoon and looked like haystacks. The traveller was very impressed with the sight and said “that farmer must harrow, look at all the hay he has saved” Charlie replied “nope they’re just rocks not haystacks”. (Although one of these “rocks” is eight metres high!
As they say, the rest is history…
A local at Murphy’s Haystacks
Shingleback Skink posing for a photo!
Wandering through the rocks and taking way too many photos, I nearly stepped on this harmless Shingleback Skink. A loud expletive escaped my mouth as I was convinced in was a Death Adder! However, this little guy was much friendlier and quite happy to have a photo taken.
NB – We had to slow down frequently on roads in South Australia to allow Shinglebacks to cross the road without getting squished.
Farewell to Murphy’s “Inselbergs”
Time for these Baby Boomer Travellers to move on to the next sightseeing spot. This was Point Labatt that is the only permanent colony on mainland Australia that is inhabited by Australian sea lions. Lots more photos to take before sunset!
In the words of the owner…..“It’s such a wonderful thing to be able to share what we’ve got with the world – in this case Murphy’s Haystacks” (Denis Cash)
Handy to Know
- From Streaky Bay, you travel 39km southeast on the Flinders Highway.
- The turning to Murphy’s Haystacks is 2km off the Flinders Highway and well signposted.
- There’s a parking lot and a toilet to use before you head up the pathway towards the hill.
- Entry fee is $2 per person and there’s an honesty box at the entrance to the path that leads to the rocks.
I’d never even heard of these before Joycee! And I’ve saved this to Pinterest cos we will probably be doing a trip of the Eyre peninsula over the next few years. John has a friend that lives in coffin Bay and has made a detour there a couple of times during business trips. I haven’t been there yet. And that caravan park sounds like my sort of caravan park!
Thank you for your comment Jenny – the “Haystacks” seem to be more interesting because of where they are situated – amongst wheat fields. Coffin Bay definitely worth staying for a few days, but just pointing out that it’s 3 hour drive north to Streaky Bay which is where haystacks are close to. If you get to Coffin Bay please enjoy my share of those delicious oysters! 🙂
I loved reading this Joycee! Definetely a “WoW” from me. Dennis Cash is wise and kind to open up his space for visitors. Funny how Murphy’s Haystack got its name! Would love to visit this part of Australia – as you know, my list is very long and might take me a few years to reach Australia 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
There are so many interesting stories about how locations were named plus the myth and legends surrounding them. Thank you for reading Georgina…I agree Australia is along way away and you would need to come over here for at least 2 months. 🙂