Picnic At Hanging Rock
Another engaging place to visit in the Macedon Ranges is Hanging Rock and with Campervan Hire Australia, dropping in for a visit is easy. Hanging Rock is so named for it's engaging shape, but is otherwise called Mt. Diogenes and is a component of a recreation reserve now managed by Local Government. It is a extremely popular picnic spot for locals and visitors alike, as well as being the focus of the 1975 Australian motion picture classic, 'Picnic At Hanging Rock ' when a grouping of schoolgirls went missing at the rock in 1911.
Apart from the flick, there is a lot of local flora and fauna to have a look at as well as exploring the rocks themselves. The Hanging Rock Cup and Races takes place there each year on New Years Day, so make sure to drop in if you are in the area at that point. The picnic races on January 1st, basically started in the 1880's and are still as hot as ever.
The reserve itself is sort of enormous and includes ovals and tennis courts, lawn areas, as well as Bbq's and picnic tables throughout the reserve. A climb up to the head of the rocks is an absolute must and the view from the top is surely worth the effort. On the way up, you may pass some interesting rock formations such as Stonehenge, McDonald's Lookout and The Eagle.
The rocks were also a favorite haunt of one of Australia's more barbarous bushrangers, 'Mad Dan (Dog) Morgan ' in the 1860's and Morgan's Blood Waterfall and Morgan's Lookout are named after him. It is thought that there is something quite mysterious about Hanging Rock thanks to the association with a slaughtering bushranger and the missing schoolgirls.
If you like the puzzling angle to Hanging Rock, there are night tours of the rocks available to cater for those that are that way inclined. Otherwise, enjoy thru the area or maybe pick up some information regarding when and how the rock formations came into being.
Apart from the flick, there is a lot of local flora and fauna to have a look at as well as exploring the rocks themselves. The Hanging Rock Cup and Races takes place there each year on New Years Day, so make sure to drop in if you are in the area at that point. The picnic races on January 1st, basically started in the 1880's and are still as hot as ever.
The reserve itself is sort of enormous and includes ovals and tennis courts, lawn areas, as well as Bbq's and picnic tables throughout the reserve. A climb up to the head of the rocks is an absolute must and the view from the top is surely worth the effort. On the way up, you may pass some interesting rock formations such as Stonehenge, McDonald's Lookout and The Eagle.
The rocks were also a favorite haunt of one of Australia's more barbarous bushrangers, 'Mad Dan (Dog) Morgan ' in the 1860's and Morgan's Blood Waterfall and Morgan's Lookout are named after him. It is thought that there is something quite mysterious about Hanging Rock thanks to the association with a slaughtering bushranger and the missing schoolgirls.
If you like the puzzling angle to Hanging Rock, there are night tours of the rocks available to cater for those that are that way inclined. Otherwise, enjoy thru the area or maybe pick up some information regarding when and how the rock formations came into being.
About the Author:
This piece was penned by Anton Maverick who has travelled Australia at length by campervan he reccomends when touring the southern states either campervan Hire Sydney or campervan hire Melbourne good luck with your travels.