Woodend Anti-Gravity Hill
An anti-gravity hill is a place where a slight downhill slope appears to be an uphill slope due to the layout of the surrounding land, creating the optical illusion that water flows uphill or that a car left out of gear will roll uphill.
There are only four documented anti-gravity hills in Australia, at Bowen Mountain in New South Wales, at Moonbi in New South Wales (near Tamworth), Orroroo in South Australia and near Hanging Rock in Woodend.
The anti-gravity hill is located along Straws Lane, Woodend, and is not far from Hanging Rock. It is not sign-posted or marked in any way and rumour has it that locals will not help you find it since they want to keep it their little secret. Listen close and don't tell anyone but some-one who wants to remain anonymous told me that the hill is south of the intersection of Straws Lane and Romsey Road. Alternatively, if you head north along Straws Lane from the Mt Macedon Road turn-off, it is about one kilometer along the road and near a farm gate (95 Straws Lane).
Come prepared to test the anti gravity properties of the hill with some water and a ball.
If you stand near the bottom of the hill and face up-hill and tip water onto the road it flows "up" the hill not downhill as gravity would normally do. Similarly, if you place a ball on the road, the same thing happens, it rolls up hill. If you are in a car and stop at the bottom of the hill, place the drive in neutral and it will slowly roll "up" the hill.
Note: Please be careful of moving cars while you are in the area.
Video of the Phenomenon
Some late news: We have also been told about another anti-gravity hill near Bacchus Marsh. It is the first rise when you turn into Swans road from Links road in Darley.
Location
Straws Lane, Woodend 3442 Map
