Legend of the Glasshouse Mountains (Aboriginal story)

The names of the mountains are; Tibrogargan (father), Beerwah (mother), Coonowrin (eldest), Tunbubudla and Miketeebumulgarai (twins), Elimbah (she’s bent for she carries many cares), Round (because she’s small and fat), wild horse (always strayed). Other mountains are Ngungun, Beerburrum, and Coochin who are not mentioned in the legend.

One day Tibrogargan gazed out at sea and sensed a rising of the waters. He knew there was going to be a flood and became worried for Beerwah his pregnant wife, for she would not be able to reach safety without help.

Tibrogargan looked for help from his eldest son Coonowrin, and asked him to take Beerwah to safety while he gathered all of his other children.

Tibrogargan went to check on how Beerwah was doing, but was disappointed to find Beerwah along, and Coonowrin running off in the distance.

This made Tibrogargan very angry and he took of with is nulla nulla(an aboriginal war club) at hand. Then with a swift movement he cracked Coonowrin over the head and dislocated his neck (which has never been straight since).

Once the floods had stopped the family returned. All the children teased Coonowrin about his crooked neck, he felt so ashamed.

Coonowrin asked for forgiveness from Tibrogargan, but he was not permitted to in their tribe. Tibrogargan then wept for his son had disgraced him.

Mt Coonowrin (infront) Mt Beerwah (behind)

Coonowrin then asked Beerwah for the forgiveness but she could only weep, as did al of his siblings as he asked them one by one. This is the reason for the many streams leading out to sea.

Tibrogargan called upon Coonowrin and demanded to know why Coonowrin had deserted his mother? He said that ‘she is the biggest of us all, she can take care of her self’ for he did not know that she was expecting.

Then Tibrogargan turned his back on his son, and vowed never to look at him again. To this day he still stares out to sea.

Coonowrin hangs his head in shame and cries.

Beerwah is still pregnant for it takes a long time

to give birth to a mountain.