Beringbooding Rock

Beringbooding Rock is a granite rock formation located approximately 65 km (40 mi) north east of Mukinbudin in the eastern Wheatbelt region of Western Australia.[1]

The site features a large balancing boulder, a large gnamma hole and paintings of the Kalamaia people's hands in a cave at the rear of the rock.[1] There is also a camping site facilities including picnic tables, fire pits and a toilet.[2]

Like other granite outcrops found in the Wheatbelt, Beringbooding displays the different forms of weathering from water and wind. A large vertical rock face is beginning to take the shape of a wave formation, caused by the same weathering patterns that created Wave Rock.[3]

The 18-acre (7.3 ha) rock is used to collect water[3] for the largest rock water catchment tank in Australia, holding around 2,250,000 imp gal (10,200,000 l; 2,700,000 US gal) of water. The tank was built in 1937 using sustenance labour at a cost of £10,000.[4] Two early pioneer wells are also found nearby.[1]

The area was known to Indigenous Australians as a reliable water source. Following European settlement prior to 1902[5] the wells near the rock were equipped with pumps in 1929 as part of the 3500 Farms Scheme to increase the number of settlers in the area.[3]

Surveys of Beringbooding were completed in 1936 to build a large scale water holding facility. Water is channelled from the rock surface catchment using a wall around the edge of the rock. It then flows into an aqueduct and fills the tank during rain events. A roof was installed to minimise water loss through evaporation.[3]

Some of the vegetation surrounding the rock include: Leptospermum erubescens, Eucalyptus websteriana, Kunzea pulchella, as well as species of Melaleuca, Acacia, Grevillea, Hakea, Calothamnus, Quandongs, Sandalwood and native orchids which support a variety of bird life.[1] The area is also home to the Günther's toadlet.[3]