The magazine was started in about 1970 and named after a word indicating deep understanding that was introduced in Robert Heinlein's novel Stranger in a Strange Land.
In terms of content, Grok publishes a wide variety of articles that includes interviews with international and local Western Australian bands, reviews and focus on arts events and Perth theatre, music and movie reviews and features focussed on an issue relevant to the theme of each issue.
Previous editors of Grok include Australian Broadcasting Corporation Melbourne journalist Adam Connors, Condé Nast Publications Milan reporter Stephanie Epiro, documentary and music video producer Diana Ward, Simon Collins, music editor for The West Australian newspaper and Matthew Giles and Katie Lenanton, who now oversee the Love Is My Velocity record label and organise independent music events in the Perth metropolitan area.
The 2007 editor, Melissa Davey, went on to work for the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance and International Federation of Journalists in Sydney.
The 1973 editor Kim Dovey later became Professor of Architecture and Urban Design at the University of Melbourne and an occasional ABC broadcaster.