AUSTRALIA
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South Australia
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PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK DON'T DISAPPEAR

Hanging Rock

Famous or perhaps infamous in Australia as a place of intrigue and mystery. The backstory is of three schoolgirls and a teacher on an excursion to Hanging Rock and all seem to have disappeared into the rocky outcrop never to have been seen again. Despite many failed searchers for the missing people.

Occurring on Valentines Day, 1900.

Hanging Rock is about eighty km from Melbourne in the Victorian countryside. A large rock is wedged above the walkway to the summit and this is where the name originates. Hanging Rock rises to about one hundred metres above and behind the café and the adjacent information building. Open daily. Indoor and outdoor shaded dining is available. The reserve itself is in natural bushland and many area's are grassed and cleared for the public to have BBQs or an outdoor picnic. A racecourse is part of the reserve and horses race on the track twice per year. New Year's Day and Australia Day.

INTRIGUE AND MYSTERY

A famous novel was penned by Joan Lindsay on the girls disappearance and published in 1967. Peter Weir directed the 1975 film Picnic at Hanging Rock. The film tells the story of the missing girls. Their fate unknown.

Miranda, Edith, Irma, Marion and their teacher Ms McCraw. Only Edith returns to raise the alarm. Hysterical and vague. It's said by a few the event was supernatural.

While filming on the set location many of the crews watches stopped at the rock for no apparent reason.

During the premiere of the film the cinema clock stopped on twelve o'clock to the second.

Is the 1900 disappearance fiction or true? The truth is now somewhat lost to history. Also, two girls had gone missing at Hanging Rock about eighty years before in the early 1800s.

The bushranger 'Mad Dog Morgan' (1830-1865) was thought by some to have used Hanging Rock as a hideout.

In recent years a few rock and roll international artists have performed at Hanging Rock and attracted upwards of twenty thousand concert goers. Woodend is the nearest small town to Hanging Rock. The general area with its small towns, nearby forest and weekend markets are a popular tourist drawcard.

PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK CAR SHOW

The 37th Classic Hanging Rock Picnic, a highly anticipated event, took place on the 11th of February 2024, marking another successful year for Victoria's largest car show. This annual gathering has become a tradition for car enthusiasts and spectators alike, drawing crowds from near and far to marvel at the impressive display of vintage vehicles.

Notably scheduled just four days before Valentine's Day, the picnic provided a unique opportunity for attendees to immerse themselves in a nostalgic atmosphere while celebrating their passion for classic cars.

One of the highlights of the event was the prizes offered to vehicles aged 25 years and over, adding an exciting competitive element to the showcase. Owners proudly presented their meticulously maintained cars, hoping to secure a coveted award and earn recognition for their dedication to preserving automotive history.

Moreover, the inclusive nature of the gathering allowed any vehicle to be displayed for public viewing, creating a diverse and vibrant exhibition that catered to a wide range of automotive interests. From vintage classics to modern marvels, the event showcased the evolution of automobile design and engineering over the years.

Despite the large turnout and bustling atmosphere, organizers ensured a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants. Thankfully, as far as is known, there were no reports of anyone going missing during the event, unlike in the film, Picnic at Hanging Rock.

Traveldriven

DRIVE WOODEND TO

HANGING ROCK CAFE