The GlasshouseMountains are amid the most remarkable geological formations, they are a succession of volcanic plugs formed over 20 million years ago. They hold great spiritual importance to the first Australians. The GlasshouseMountains are found southeast Queensland, in the SunshineCoast’s Glasshouse Mountain Nature Reserve.
On this website you will find out all about the location, accommodation, accessibility, activities, climate, legends, geology, local wildlife, and terrain of the GlasshouseMountains
The GlasshouseMountains are volcanic plugs that have been eroded over 25 million years during the Miocene period, to form 9 steep sided mountains.
What’s a volcanic plug?
Volcanic plugs, also know as a volcanic neck or lava neck, occurs when molten rock hardens in the vent of an active volcano.
How where they formed?
Once between 30-22 million years ago south-east Queensland had a lot of volcanic activity, many volcanoes were formed, and in turn were blocked with volcanic plugs. Then they have been eroded for about 25 million years, to make them look as they are today (steep sided mountains).
How are volcanoes formed?
Volcanoes are formed differently according to the type of volcano they are, one example is; when there is a gap between tectonic plates; this exposes lava which rises and as the lava cools it creates the ‘walls’ of the volcano.
What causes volcanic activity?
Volcanic activity is cause by ‘hot spots’ in the earths crust.
How old are the Glasshouse Mounatins?
The GlasshouseMountains are approximately 25 million years old.
- Whats the Miocene period?
The GlasshouseMountains were shaped during the Miocene period. The Miocene period meaning less recent is a period of time about 25 million years from the present.
What rocks are in them?
The GlasshouseMountains are made up of two igneous rock types; Rhyolite and Trachyte.
Examples of other volcanic plugs-
The GlasshouseMountains are only one example of volcanic plugs, there are many more volcanic plugs around the world, and here are some examples:
A volcanic plug in Rhumsiki, Far North Region, Cameroon.
The EdinburghCastle in Scotland, built on top of an ancient volcanic plug.
The Ochoco National Forest of Oregon, USA’s volcanic plug.
The Glasshouse Mountains Holiday Village is located on Steve Irwin way, Glasshouse Mountains, Queensland.
The Glasshouse Mountains holiday Village is described as ‘Queensland’s most scenic experience’ it is a remarkable holiday destination with the choices of staying in holiday units, the campsite and caravan park.
For more information visit their website: http://www.glasshousemountainsholidayvillage.com.au/
Beerburrum:
The Beerburrum Motel is located 412 Steve Irwin Way
Beerburrum, Queensland.
It is ‘in the heart of the scenic Glasshouse Mountain rainforest region’ making it an extraordinary place to stay, with breathtaking views, it is one of the best ways to see the Glasshouse Mountains.
The Glasshouse Mountains are situated southeast Queensland close to the towns of Beerwah and Beerburrum in the Sunshine Coast, about 65km north of Brisbane.
As well as the incredible GlasshouseMountains, the sunshine coast is home of many other natural attractions. Some of these include;
CurrimundiLake-
CurrimundiLake leads off from the ocean via a small stream and provides a great sheltered swimming area with large sand banks surrounding it. CurrimundiLake is located in Currimundi, north of the GlasshouseMountains.
DoubleIslandPoint-
Double island point “is a magnet for marine life” there you can see dolphins, whales and many more. They are a formation of four volcanic pinnacles. It is well known as a great dive spot.
MagicMountain-
MagicMountain is a big group of rocky outcrops from the sea floor. It is located on the outer Gneerings reef. At this site is you can dive and see spectacular sea life, such as; bullseyes, catfish, urchins, sponges, wobbygongs and many more
MapletonFallsNationalPark-
Mapleton falls National Park is home of the Mapleton falls, where you can see pencil creek flowing over ledges to make magnificent falls. There are is a large population of birds including, the peregrine falcon, eastern whipbird, and the wompoo fruit-dove.
MountCoolum-
MountCoolum located in MountCoolumNational park, is a “green cloaked dome” mountain, it is surrounded by lowlands, and after rain has a number of stunning cascades that fall down the weathered cliffs.
NoosaNationalPark-
NoosaNational Park is a large mass of untamed coastline that juts out into the ocean. NoosaNational Park is located in Noosa; the park is one of Australia’s most popularly visited.
MountTinbeerwah-
MountTinbeerwah is situated in Tewantin forest reserve; it is the home of ancient flooded gum forests, wallum heaths, and cabbage-tree palms.
While soaking up the splendor of the GlasshouseMountains, you can also enjoy several outdoor activities, such as; scenic bush walks, picnics, abseiling and rock climb.
The terrain surrounding the Glasshouse Mountains are quite varied, types include; Rain-forest, Wallum, Eucalypt open forest, Woodland, Montane Heath and Shrubland.
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
'..These hills lie but a little way inland, and not far from each other: they are remarkable for the singular form of their elevation, which very much resembles a glass house, and for this reason I called them the Glass Houses: the northern most of the three is the highest and largest; there are several other peaked hills inland to the northward of these, but these are not nearby so remarkable...'
Captain James Cook wrote this in his journal on the 17 may 1770 when he discovered and named the Glasshouse Mountains.
