Mount Wheeler
| Gawula | |
|---|---|
| Mt Wheeler | |
  Gawula Gawula on a map of Australia | |
| Highest point | |
| Coordinates | 23°14′S 150°41′E / 23.233°S 150.683°ECoordinates: 23°14′S 150°41′E / 23.233°S 150.683°E |
Gawula (formerly Mount Wheeler after Gold Commissioner John Wheeler) is a small mountain situated between Rockhampton and Yeppoon, in Queensland, Australia. It is one of several igneous "volcanic plug" formations that feature on the landscape near the Capricorn Coast[1]
History
Gawula is the traditional home of the Taroombal people. Many indigenous groups from the region would meet at this site to exchange tools and arrange marriages.[2]
In 1868 gold was found on the mountain. While initial mining was successful, a report in 1887 states that one of the largest gold nuggets in Queensland was found there; the same report also indicates that the mining success quickly petered out.[1]
Otherwise the mountain became something of a lookout spot for scenic views during the 20th century.[1]
Name
According to local historians, Gawula was given the name "Mount Cock’s Comb" by Captain Cook in 1770. However this is not corroborated by Cook's Endeavour journal or other sources. The mountain was later named Mt Wheeler. Although some have suggested it was named after Frederick Wheeler, an inspector with the Native Police, who is alleged to have been involved in a massacre of Aboriginal people at the site, forcing them to jump off the cliffs by the hundreds - archival evidence suggests it was more likely named such after Gold Commissioner John Wheeler who worked in the area during the 1860s.[1]
In 2007 the mountain was handed over to the traditional owners, the Darumbal people and subsequently reverted to its original name, Gawula.[3]
Physical features
Gawula is a steep-sided volcanic plug, similar to other surrounding mountains like Mount Jim Crow and Pine Mountain.[1]
There are large cliffs on its western face. On the south-east face is a type of soft rock which has formed into many huge caverns and overhangs. Mount Wheeler stands at approximately 365 metres (1,198 ft) high.
Folklore
Local hiking enthusiasts have reported strange flickering lights that can sometimes be seen at night in some of the more inaccessible caverns on the south-east face. Theories range from simple fireflies to bushranger campfires and even fairy gatherings.
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 Jonathan Richards (2014). "'Many were killed from falling over the cliffs’: The naming of Mount Wheeler, Central Queensland". In Clark, Ian D.; Hercus, Luise; Kostanski, Laura. Indigenous and Minority Placenames Australian and International Perspectives. Canberra: ANU Press. ISBN 9781925021639. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
- ↑ Gawula with Sally Vea Vea on YouTube Accessed 6 February 2016
- ↑ Mt Wheeler handed over to traditional Darumbal owners in historic ceremony Queensland Cabinet Office