Take the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, just north of
Brisbane and where I am currently based, for example. The region has a glorious
coastline of epic surf beaches and wetlands, rivers, mountains, and further
inland rainforest and waterfalls. The landscape really is very special.
So, imagine my delight in learning of the local Aboriginal peoples’ dreamtime stories relating to this landscape. It’s a good story!
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| View over Mudjimba, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia |
Sunshine Coast Mount Coolum Dreamtime
Well, legend has it that a young Aboriginal warrior called
Coolum was in love with Maroochy, a beautiful girl from his tribe. All was well
as the tribal elders had approved their union. However, one day, a warrior
called Ninderry from another tribe kidnapped Maroochy while Coolum was out
hunting.
The two warriors engaged in an epic battle for Maroochy, and
while fighting, Ninderry struck Coolum with a club, knocking his head right off.
Coolum’s headless body turned to stone, forming what is now known as Mount
Coolum, and his head rolled into the sea and became Mudjimba Island.
The spirit gods were so incensed by Ninderry’s behaviour (his
interference in the approved union of Coolum and Maroochy and killing of Coolum)
that they turned Ninderry to stone and he became Mount Ninderry.
On learning of what had happened to her beloved Coolum,
Maroochy fled inland to the Blackall Ranges, where she wept so much her tears
flooded down the mountain range to the sea, forming the Maroochy River.
Maroochy resolved to locate Coolum’s spirit, and so she
transformed herself into a swan so she could travel up and down the river to search
for her lover’s spirit.
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| Maroochy River, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia |
While dramatic, and clearly the stuff of legends, I love
stories such as these that really bring the landscape to life around you. I
doubt I’ll ever look at Mounts Coolum and Ninderry, or even the Maroochy River,
in quite the same way again.
Have you ever lived anywhere that local mythology truly
brought to life?
Photo credits: Adam Campbell, Angus Veitch, Aussie Active Photologue
TweetPhoto credits: Adam Campbell, Angus Veitch, Aussie Active Photologue
