Mount Beerwah

Mount Beerwah is the highest of the ten volcanic plugs in the Glass House Mountains range, 22 km north of Caboolture in South East Queensland, Australia. It was formed 26 million years ago during the Oligocene Epoch of the Paleogene Period. Geologists estimate it may have been three times the height before it was eroded to a volcanic plug.

Mount Beerwah
Mount Beerwah viewed from Mary Cairncross Reserve
Highest point
Elevation556 m (1,824 ft)
Coordinates26°54′S 152°53′E 
Geography
Mount Beerwah
Parent rangeGlass House Mountains
Geology
Age of rock26 million years
Mountain typeVolcanic
Climbing
First ascentAndrew Petrie and John Petrie

Mount Beerwah has two peaks, the taller of which is 556 metres (1,824 ft) high. It is one of the most visually prominent mountains in south-east Queensland. The first European settlers to ascend the peak were Andrew Petrie with his son John Petrie.[1] Its name comes from the Dungidau language words "birra, or "sky," and "wandum," "climbing up."

In the traditional Aboriginal story of the region, Mount Beerwah is the pregnant mother and Mount Tibrogargan the father of all the other mountains in the area. Local Aboriginal people consider the mountains sacred.

The mountain is basically a column of trachyte. One side features a dramatic, inward leaning cliff face known as the Organ Pipes.[1] At its base are a number of small caves.

Public access
The unique overhanging rock face of Mount Beerwah

Mount Beerwah summit trail was controversially closed to climbing from 2009 - 2016, due to rock instability from bush fire. The Sunshine Coast Regional Council spent $400,000 on removing dangerous rocks and improving warning signs.[2]

As at 2019, Mount Beerwah along with Mount Tibrogargan, Ngungun and the rest of the mountains with tracks remain open with maintained walking trails with the exception of Mount Coonowrin (which was permanently closed to public access in March 1999 due to the high risk of rock falls that had previously killed and injured climbers).[3]

The views from the summit of Mount Beerwah are very rewarding. There is a 2.6 km trail up from a state government maintained parking lot.[4] The start of the trail is a "level 5 difficulty" walk that turns into a climb that can be done without equipment.[5] Even experienced hikers should not attempt this trail unless they have at least three hours of daylight and there is no chance of rain. Depending on fitness, climbers should plan on taking two to three litres of water per person.

See also

References
  1. Horton, Helen (1988). Brisbane's Back Door: The story of the D'Aguilar Range. Bowen Hills, Queensland: Boolarong Press. pp. 142–144. ISBN 0-86439-036-X.
  2. "Glasshouse Mountains walking track re-opened after 16 months". Sunshine Coast Daily. Archived from the original on 18 August 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
  3. "Mount Coonowrin restricted access area". Department of Environment and Science. Queensland Government. 23 October 2013. Archived from the original on 18 August 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
  4. "Mount Beerwah Track". queenslandholidays.com.au. Tourism Queensland. Archived from the original on 28 August 2011. Retrieved 5 May 2011.
  5. "Mount Beerwah summit route—temporary closure". Queensland Government. 13 November 2014. Archived from the original on 4 September 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
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