Leaving the coastal scenery for a bit, we ventured inland within The District Council of Streaky Bay, South Australia, to see a geological oddity called Murphy’s Haystacks. Despite the name, they are most certainly not haystacks.
These wind-worn granite outcrops rise unexpectedly from the surrounding farmland, a surreal landscape that feels quite out of place. Apparently, a local farmer with a thick accent once told someone these were his "haystacks," and the name stuck. We can only imagine the confusion that ensued.
The formations themselves are quite striking, sculpted by millennia of wind and rain into bizarre and beautiful shapes. We spent a good hour wandering among them, admiring the textures and the play of light and shadow. The iron-rich granite gives the rocks a warm, earthy tone, which contrasts nicely with the blue sky.
There’s a small walking track, allowing you to get up close and personal with the Haystacks. We clambered around the base of the largest formations, marveling at the sheer scale and the intricate patterns etched into the stone. Some even appear to have almost perfectly flat faces, which is quite remarkable.
It's certainly a quirky and worthwhile diversion from the coast, proving that even the flattest landscapes can hold unexpected treasures.
