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The mesmerising story of Hanging Rock explained

Roxanne Andrews Roxanne Andrews
Is the film/book Picnic at Hanging Rock real or imagined? Australian Traveller’s rock hound, Kerry van der Jagt, steps back in time to investigate this and other geological questions about the Macedon Ranges enigma.  

Short answer: A picnic spot in Victoria where schoolgirls disappeared.

Long answer: Hanging Rock is located around 80km to the north of Melbourne in the Hesket Plains near Mt Macedon. It’s 718m above sea level and 105m above the surrounding plain. It’s also one of the best examples in the world of a volcanic feature known as a mamelon (French for nipple).

It was formed six million years ago (in the Tertiary period) when a stiff type of lava formed a rounded pile of layers on the surface as it was squeezed through a narrow vent in the Earth’s surface.

The type of lava is unique in that it has an extremely high soda content. Over the years the action of rainwater has formed an unusual rock known as solvsbergite (soda trachyte).

The same rock type is also found at the nearby Camel’s Hump at Mt Macedon. The mamelon has been exposed to weathering, which has resulted in the rock formation that can be seen today. These include: Stonehenge, McDonald’s Lookout and The Eagle.

Aerial view of Hanging Rock
Aerial view of the impressive Hanging Rock formation. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Is Picnic at Hanging Rock real or imagined?

Hanging Rock is best known from Joan Lindsay’s narrative, Picnic at Hanging Rock (1967), about the mysterious disappearance of a group of local schoolgirls during an excursion to the Rock on February 14, Valentines Day 1900. And like any decent Australian mystery, the bodies were never found!

The author, in the opening to the first edition, states: “Whether Picnic at Hanging Rock is fact or fiction my readers must decide for themselves." At the time of the incident, organised searches for the three students and their teacher were carried out but only one girl was ever found.

Clearly she’s leaving the mystery open. My take is that the schoolgirls (and Miss McCraw) were crushed under a slab of rock that fell during a mini landslide, or they fell down a deep crevice or chimney. Either way, Hanging Rock is an eerie place and an extraordinary geological formation.

Today it remains a mystery shrouded in tales that flick between folklore and fact. The novel was eventually made into a movie directed by Peter Weir in 1975 and received international acclaim. A new adaption of Lindsay’s novel was turned into a six-part television series, starring Natalie Dormer aired in 2018.

A scene from Peter Weir's film adaption of Picnic at Hanging Rock. (Image: Atlantic/Allstar)
A scene from Peter Weir’s 1975 film adaption of Picnic at Hanging Rock. (Image: Atlantic/Allstar)

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Fast facts about Hanging Rock

You probably know: Annual events such as art exhibitions, movie nights under the stars, car shows, concerts, craft markets and family-friendly festivals are held at Hanging Rock.

But did you know: The type of rock, solvsbergite, is extremely unusual and, outside of the Macedon region, is only found in Norway and Sweden.

And did you also know: During filming of Picnic at Hanging Rock, watches and clocks of the cast and crew behaved badly. Some stopped, others ran fast, some slow.  In Joan Lindsay’s novel, the watches of the schoolgirls stopped at noon (cue Twilight Zone music).

What else can you do at Hanging Rock Reserve?

Many folks take the relaxed route and set up for the day at one of the many BBQs (they’re free to use) scattered throughout the scenic reserve and simply admire the views of the soaring monoliths. The famous Pinnacle Walk to the summit is a popular activity as is the nocturnal ranger-guided walking tour.

Two women at the Summit of Hanging Rock.
The Pinnacle Walk to the summit. (Image: Visit Victoria)

There are three dedicated walks to enjoy at Hanging Rock: The Pinnacle Trail, Base Walking Trail and the Creek Walking Trail. Each trail showcases the reserve’s distinctive beauty; expect to see granitic boulders, curious mammals, and unique volcanic rock formations. The Pinnacle Trail to the summit is quite the highlight! Note: the pathways are quite wide and people of average fitness will reach the top relatively easily in about an hour.

Kangaroos at Hanging Rock
Curious kangaroos at the base of Hanging Rock. (Image: Visit Victoria)

The ranger-guided Hanging Rock night walking tour offers the opportunity to see gliders, koalas, wallabies and more exploring their natural surroundings. So, if adventuring after dark is your thing, this tailored tour will surely appeal.

This article was originally written by Kerry van der Jagt and updated by Roxanne Williams.

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Roxanne Andrews
Roxanne Andrews is a freelance travel writer and editor based in Yamba, Australia. Topics of expertise include; sports tourism, luxury travel, arts & culture, cuisine & dining, wellness, the adventure sector and all things marine. A professional scribe who occasionally goes gonzo to capture the moment.
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The best places to wine and dine across regional Victoria

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    There’s no shortage of exceptional eateries in regional Victoria. From casual classics to finely tuned fine diners, here’s our pick of the plentiful bunch.

    Le Foyer Brasserie, Bendigo

    French plate at Le Foyer Brassiere, Bendigo
    Le Foyer serves upscale French fare.

    From the owners behind Bendigo’s beloved The Woodhouse comes this newly opened elegant French bistro. It’s all about welcoming warmth at this city fine diner, after all Le Foyer, translates to ‘the hearth’ in French. A place to linger in the chic, Parisian-style salon, the menu unfurls in the classics, from beef bourguignon to steak frites and mille-feuille.

    Riverbank Moama, Murray River

    seafood plate at Riverbank Moama, Murray River
    Dine on the banks of the Murray at Riverbank Moama. (Image: Cindy Power Photography)

    If you’re journeying on or beside the Murray, it’s only fitting that you dine by its banks. This nature-nestled restaurant by the river is idyllic for a long, sun-filled lunch. The menu is an unfussy playlist of the hits served with a seasonal spin – and the mood is as gently flowing as the nearby water.

    Felix, Geelong

    a bartender mixing up drinks at Felix, Geelong
    Felix offers a relaxed French bistro experience. (Image: Cameron Murray Photography)

    Soft brown banquettes, walnut hues and a terrazzo bar welcomes with relaxed French bistro vibes at Geelong’s Felix. But really, it’s the collage of simple, seasonal flavours that make this restaurant an easy-going favourite. Come for brunch or dinner; vegans are welcomed with a dedicated menu.

    The Perch, Lavers Hill

    a plate of food at The Perch, Lavers Hill
    Savour the seasonal menu at The Perch.

    A laid-back classic of the Great Ocean Road, The Perch at Lavers Hill welcomes those taking a pause from the serpentine drive. Lunch in the warm-wood dining room is accompanied by vineyard vistas and fleeting cameos from native birds.

    The Shared Table, Ballarat

    The Shared Table, Ballarat
    The Shared Table in Ballart.

    If you go for the ‘Dine without Decision’ option at this beloved eatery, you’re free from the tyranny of food envy with a chef-selected procession of dishes that highlight the bounty of the Midwest region. Think mochi gnocchi with pumpkin and XO or Western Plains pork cotoletta.

    Barragunda Dining, Mornington Peninsula

    Paddock-to-platedining at Barragunda Dining, Mornington Peninsula
    Paddock-to-plate dining at its finest. (Image: Arianna Harry Photography)

    This fine diner, which opened in early 2025, has been lauded as one of the region’s most ambitious and significant openings in recent years. Set on a 400-hectare, cliffside Cape Schanck property that delivers the kitchen with a cornucopia of produce, it’s elegant and honest paddock-to-plate dining at its most refined.

    Mount William Station, Grampians

    plating a dish at Mount William Station, Grampians
    Dine on elevated seasonal and local produce at Mount William Station. (Image: Phil Hocking)

    Whether you’re staying at this luxe historic station or just swinging in for dinner with friends, the shared table vibe here is country hospitality at its most welcoming and elevated. Seasonal and local produce guides chef Dean Sibthorp’s hand for plates finessed with the mountain-fresh flavour of the Grampians.

    Emerald City, Yarra Valley

    a curated plate at Emerald City, Yarra Valley
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    You’re certainly not in Kansas anymore when you slip behind the emerald curtain from Cavanagh’s Whiskey and Alehouse to the diminutive Emerald City. Allusions to the fraudulent wizard and Dorothy aside, this acutely intimate four-seat diner is a curated experience worthy of a road trip. As you may imagine, bookings are essential.

    du Fermier, Trentham

    dining at du Fermier, Trentham
    du Fermier is Trentham’s exquisite French fine diner. (Image: DJN Photography)

    Annie Smithers’ intimate, farmhouse-y French fine diner is not at all new, but it is every bit iconic. It’s long attracted food-lovers to its charming dining room for a set menu that undulates with the seasons. If you’re a gourmand to your core, book into one of Annie’s delightfully informal masterclasses.

    Messmates Dining, Gippsland

    diners at Messmates Dining, Gippsland
    Inside Messmates Dining. (Image: Fotoarco)

    This Warragul diner’s menu is a well-arranged collection of delicious, farm-forward morsels crafted, quite simply, to delight. Dishes such as French onion dip scooped onto nigella seed crackers and fresh-made pasta tossed with a black pepper and butter emulsion are all about balanced, enjoyable flavours paired with good wine.