Mount Beerwah facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Beerwah |
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Mount Beerwah viewed from Mary Cairncross Reserve
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 556 m (1,824 ft) |
| Geography | |
 Mount Beerwah
Location in Queensland
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| Parent range | Glass House Mountains |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | 26 million years |
| Mountain type | Volcanic |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | Andrew Petrie and John Petrie |
Mount Beerwah is the tallest mountain in the Glass House Mountains range. It is one of ten old volcanic plugs in the area. This mountain is located about 22 kilometers north of Caboolture in South East Queensland, Australia.
Mount Beerwah was formed around 26 million years ago. Scientists believe it was once much taller, perhaps three times its current height. Over millions of years, wind and rain wore down the softer rock, leaving behind the hard volcanic core we see today.
The mountain has two peaks. The higher one reaches 556 meters (1,824 feet) into the sky. It is one of the most easily seen mountains in southeast Queensland. The first European people to climb it were Andrew Petrie and his son John Petrie. The name "Beerwah" comes from Aboriginal words meaning "sky" and "climbing up."
In the traditional Aboriginal stories of the region, Mount Beerwah is seen as the pregnant mother. Mount Tibrogargan is considered the father of all the other mountains nearby. Local Aboriginal people believe these mountains are sacred.
The mountain is mostly made of a type of rock called trachyte. One side of Mount Beerwah has a cool, overhanging cliff face. It is known as the Organ Pipes because it looks like giant organ pipes. There are also some small caves at the base of the mountain.
Exploring Mount Beerwah
Mount Beerwah is a popular spot for hikers. However, the path to the top is quite challenging. From 2009 to 2016, the summit trail was closed because of dangerous loose rocks. These rocks became unstable after a bushfire. The local council spent a lot of money to make the path safer. They removed dangerous rocks and put up better warning signs.
As of 2019, Mount Beerwah is open for climbing again. Other mountains like Mount Tibrogargan and Ngungun also have open walking trails. However, Mount Coonowrin has been permanently closed since 1999. This was due to a high risk of rock falls, which had hurt climbers before.
The views from the top of Mount Beerwah are amazing. The trail from the parking lot is about 2.6 kilometers (1.6 miles) long. The start of the trail is rated as a "level 5 difficulty" walk. This means it is very hard and turns into a climb. You do not need special climbing gear, but it is still a serious hike.
Even experienced hikers should be careful. It is important to have at least three hours of daylight left before you start. You should also make sure there is no chance of rain. Climbers should bring plenty of water, usually two to three liters per person, depending on how fit they are.
