granite sky walk

This was a local recommendation although the balancing rock which comes first was an attraction listed on trip advisor. You get to it via Castle Rock Road off the Mount Barker - Porongurup Road. The rocks are reputed to be among the oldest on the planet at over 1 billion years old. The government have invested 3 million dollars in building the walkway. To get there involves a 2.7km hike up through the forested Porongurup National Park which although a bit of a slog, isn't difficult for anyone reasonably fit. It is quite shady so even in high summer, it is OK. There are distance posts every 500 metres so you can have some measure of progress. Although there were people walking in sandals and flip flops, you really need decent footwear as there are quite a few rocky bits to scramble over. You arrive at at the balancing rock near the top where there is the option to continue to the walkway or to divert to a viewing platform about 150 metres further on.If you continue to the walkway, be prepared for some arm/leg stretching climbing using steel holds which are not very strategically fixed in the rock. Those with short legs or carrying extra weight might think twice about it. Also anyone who has dragged small children up the path will need to give them some help. This section terminates in an enclosed ladder for the final 15 metres. The effort is certainly worth it as the walkway encircles the granite summit and the views are fantastic. The viewing platform below also has very good views but doesn't have the sensation of standing on top of the world. Whereas the Skywalk is certainly worth the effort, I'm not so sure that I would climb for an hour or more to get to the platform. Having spent all that money, I think that it would have been better to invest the cash spent on the lower platform in providing easier and safer access to the top so that everyone could get there.Back at the base, there is plenty of parking although National Park access fees apply. (There is no charge for the Skywalk), There are toilets and plenty of shaded picnic tables.