Though Uluru is the largest "free-standing" monolith, Mount Augustus is the world's largest monolith. Located 320 km east of Carnarvon in Western Australia, it is 2.5 times larger than Uluru (Ayers Rock). One of the most spectacular solitary peaks in the world, standing at 1105 metres above sea level, Its summit has a small peak on a plateau, and rises about 717 metres above a stony, red sandplain of arid shrubland dominated by wattles, cassias and eremophilas. The rock is 8 km long and covers an area of 4795 hectares.
Because of its immense size, the mountain is clearly visible from the air for more than 160 kilometres. It is made of sedimentary rocks, Upper Proterozoic sandstone and conglomerate which, according to geologists, was originally deposited on an ancient sea floor about 1 000 million years ago, then later folded and uplifted. The rock has a variety of colours, ranging from purple, to pink, orange and red.
Walking Tracks
Summit Track
The Summit Track begins at Beedoboondu car park and is a 12km return walk. Just into the walk at a place called Flintstone Rock there is a rock slab with Aboriginal engravings under it.
Kotka Gorge Trail
An easier walk than the summit trail, this is the closest walk to the Mount Augustus Resort (camping ground) only a short drive. The Kotka Gorge Trail begins at Warrarla.
Mount Augustus is named after explorer Sir Augustus Charles Gregory (1819-1905). It was named by his brother Francis Gregory on 3rd June 1858, during his epic 107 day journey through the Gascoyne, when he became the first European to climb the mountain. Aboriginal etchings can be found on Mount Augustus, whivh is known as Burringurrah in the local Aboriginal language. There is a hiking trail to the top of Mount Augustus.
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