Mountain type Volcanic Age of rock 26.017253 million years | Elevation 556 m | |
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First ascent Andrew Petrie and John Petrie Parent range Glass House Mountains, Queensland Similar Mount Tibrogargan, Mount Coonowrin, Tibberoowuccum, Mount Cooroora, Mount Warning | ||
Mount beerwah top to bottom
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.
Contents
- Mount beerwah top to bottom
- Map of Beerwah Glass House Mountains QLD 4518 Australia
- Climbing
- Public Access
- References
Map of Beerwah, Glass House Mountains QLD 4518, Australia
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 white person to ascend the peak was Andrew Petrie with his son John Petrie. 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 aboriginals 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. At its base is a number of small caves.
Climbing
It is legal to climb all mountains in the Glasshouse National Park. Mount Beerwah along with Mount Tibrogargan, Ngunngun and the rest of the mountains with tracks remain open with maintained walking trails; the views from the summit of Mount Beerwah are however very rewarding. There is a 2.6 km trail up from a state government maintained parking lot. The start of the trail is a "level 5 difficulty" walk that turns into a climb that can be done without equipment. 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.
Public Access
As of 1 January 2016 all public access has been reopened and barriers removed from the route by QPWS. The route has been deemed safe to climb after the rock fall site has stabilized. Mount Beerwah summit trail was controversially closed to climbing from 2009 - 2016, due to rock instability from bush fire. The Sunshine Coast council spent $400,000 on removing dangerous rocks and improving warning signs. http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/debris-removal-sees-glasshouse-mountains-walking-t/2693189/