© 2007 Glasshouse Bushwalkers Club Inc.

Made by Serif

In 1770, Captain Cook, on the Endeavour, sailed up the east coast of Australia on an expedition to confirm the existence of the "Great South Land".  While on this travel, and at the same time as he discovered and named Moreton Bay he noticed in the distance a group of mountain peaks.  These peaks resembled the shapes of the glasshouses in his native Yorkshire, and so he named them the Glasshouse Mountains.

In 1797 as part of his expedition to explore as much of Australia as possible, Matthew Flinders arrived at Bribie Island.  From there he sailed up the Pumicestone River (as it was then) and into Glass Mountain Creek bfore landing and setting off on foot with an aim to climb Mount Tibrogargan.  Having arrived near the base on July 26, 1797 and setting up camp, he discovered just how steep the mountain was to climb and opted for an easier climb of Mount Beerburrum.  The site of this camp is near where Matthew Flinders Park is now situated on the Glasshouse Mountains Road.

Much of the current Glasshouse Mountains National Park has been protected under prior legislation since 1954, but was dedicated under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 in 1994, and covers an area of 883 hectares.  Further addition to this protected area is currently being processed as part of the South East Queensland Forest Agreement.

The Glasshouse Mountains are a group of 13 volcanic plugs in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. They are the remnants of tertiary volcanic intrusions which solidified below the surface and have been exposed by subsequent erosion of the overlying material. These dome-shaped hills and sharp conical mountains are of striking appearance, rising abruptly above the surrounding flat coastal plain. The Glasshouse Mountains National Park consists of seven discrete areas, containing eight of the peaks.  The National Park protects 'islands' of natural habitat for flora and fauna in a surrounding landscape largely modified for pine plantations and agriculture. The park contains five endemic vascular plant species and significant populations of several other species of limited distribution.   More information is found on the QPWS web-site.

Aboriginal association with the area is reflected in the names of many of the peaks and associated stories. Several shell middens and other cultural sites occur within the park. The mountains were recorded by Captain James Cook as he sailed up the coast in 1770. He referred to their resemblance to 'Glass Houses', although his precise meaning is unclear.  The peaks of the Glasshouse Mountains are a popular recreational venue for bushwalkers, rock-climbers and sightseers.