Rocks

Contrary to local popular belief, Black Hill is not an old volcano, it is an outcrop of granite, a plutonic rock. A large mass of molten magma has cooled very slowly at depth below the earth's surface, allowing the formation of the minerals forming granite, primarily quartz, mica, and feldspar. This large mass has then been forced up to the earth's surface, and over millions of years been subjected to the effects of erosion due to rain, wind, and temperature changes, leaving the scenery we see at Black Hill today.

The soil around Black Hill is granite gravel, the material produced by the erosion of the granite rock, and is of high quality. For many years Black Hill was mined for road making material and the recovery from this activity is a slow and ongoing process.

Many magnificent rock formations are visible from most of the walking tracks, though most are best viewed from the Ridge Track. Many more can be found by exploring off the marked tracks.

The rocks in these pictures are all naturally placed, as a result of erosion by wind and rain.

Please be careful when moving around near the rocks, they can be slippery when wet, falls at any time can be extremely dangerous.

Children should be supervised at all times.