Local indigenous story of the sacred Glass House Mountains Qld
The Glass House Mountains are a group of volcanic peaks on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, and they hold deep cultural and spiritual significance for the local Indigenous Australian people, particularly the Gubbi Gubbi (Kabi Kabi) and Jinibara peoples.
According to one sacred Dreaming story, the mountains are a family. Tibrogargan is the father, Beerwah is the mother, and the smaller peaks are their children. One day, Tibrogargan saw a great flood coming from the sea. He told his eldest son, Coonowrin, to help his mother and siblings escape. But Coonowrin ran away in fear, failing to protect his family.
Tibrogargan was so ashamed of his son’s cowardice that he struck him, disfiguring his neck—this is why Mt Coonowrin is said to have a crooked appearance. From that day on, Tibrogargan turned his back on Coonowrin and has never looked at him again.
This story teaches values of courage, responsibility, and respect for family. The Glass House Mountains continue to be sacred to Traditional Custodians and are places of ceremony, law, and storytelling.
