GLASSHOUSE MTNS., QUEENSLAND
A series of spectacular volcanic plugs that rise dramatically from the coastal plain and dominate the landscape of the Sunshine Coast hinterland. They are formed of rhyolite and trachtyte, lavas which hardened inside the vents of tertiary volcanoes that have been greatly reduced by about 25 million years of erosion.
Location: inland from Caboolture; 61 km from Brisbane.
Origin of name: In naming the mountains, Lieut. James Cook entered his Journal of 17th May 1770: '... 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 nearly so remarkable ...'
Brief history: The Glasshouse Mountains are steeped in Aboriginal culture. According to Aboriginal legend, Tibrogargan (364 m) the father and Beerwah (at 555 m the highest of all the peaks) the mother, had a number of children of whom Coonowrin (377 m - the narrow and most dramatic of all the volcanic plugs) was the eldest, Tunbubudla were the twins (293 m and 312 m), Coochin (235 m), Ngungun (253 m), Tibberoowuccum (220 m), Miketeebumulgrai (199 m) and Elimbah (129 m). The legend tells of Tibrogargan noticing that the sea was rising and calling out to Coonowrin to help his pregnant mother gather the young children together so that the family could flee from the rising sea.
Lieut. James Cook sighted and named the mountains in 1770. The next European to see them was Matthew Flinders in July-August, 1799. He climbed Mount Beerburrum from which he surveyed the whole of Moreton Bay. Today the area around the mountains produces tropical fruits (papaws, strawberries, avocados, passionfruit), vegetables, macadamia nuts and tobacco. They have also become one of the premier tourist attractions on the Sugar Coast.
Natural features: Glasshouse Mountains National Park; Mt. Beerburrum Lookout,
Built features: The Main Lookout
Heritage features: Australian Teamsters Hall Of Fame and Spirit of Cobb & Co. (an original 1860 Cobb & Co. changing station)