The Glass House Mountains
It was really bizarre to visit the Glass House Mountains again, as a tourist this time, rather than a local. Now living in a country of mountain ranges rather than sporadic peaks like these, it was a very different landscape – but also a very beautiful one.
Traditionally, the local Aboriginal people, the Gubbi Gubbi, explain the story of the mountains through a tale in which Mt Beerwah is the mother and Mt Tibrogargan is the father, and the 11 other peaks are their children. One day, Tibrogargan notices that the sea is rising and instructs the eldest son, Coonowrin to help his pregnant mother (Beerwah) to safety. However, Coonowrin instead flees to safety himself, disobeying his father. Angry, Tibrogargan goes after his son and strikes his neck, dislocating it – and thus explaining Coonowrin's nickname: Crook Neck.
As for the name Glass House Mountains, when James Cook was sailing past in 1770, he thought the peaks resembled those of the glass furnaces of his home in Yorkshire. A much less exciting story to be honest...
While in the area, I stayed on my good friend Alisha's farm, which offers rather impressive views across the fields and forest to Mt Beerwah, often shrouded by low clouds.
But just up the road from the farm, is the ever-popular Glass House Mountains lookout, which Alisha & I went up to one evening just as golden hour was arriving.
Mt. Coonowrin (Also known as Crook-Neck)
Another view of Crook-Neck before the fog appeared, with the Coochin Twins rising in the background.
Mt. Tibrogargan (right) with Tibberoowuccum to the left, behind them you can see the coast. Tibrogargan is said to still keep his back to his son Coonowrin out of shame, and instead looks out to sea.
While no longer my home, it is a rather lovely area, and I enjoyed being able to explore it as a tourist – it always gives you a different perspective on things when they're no longer part of your day-to-day life...