Following the series of budget cuts over recent years, it's easy to find stony-faced Canberrans wandering near government buildings. However, the Parliamentary Triangle isn't the only place in Canberra where you can find stony faces. Here's five of the natural kind. Have you seen them?
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Bendora guardian
Photo: Elizabeth Brouwer
Along Bendora Road in the Brindabellas, near its intersection with Burkes Creek Road on the far side of the gorge and etched into the cliff is a giant face. It's the result of eons of wind and water erosion, but it its noticeable nose and watchful eyes are so realistic that you could easily be excused for thinking it had been hacked purposefully out of the rock. It stands sentinel, like a giant guardian, keeping a close eye on everything and everyone who ventures into its domain. No doubt it has watched-over countless journeys of indigenous moth hunters who for thousands of years made their annual pilgrimage through these mountains to source protein rich bogongs aestivating in rocks crevices on the higher peaks. Oh, if only it could talk.
Cooleman Ridge Sentinel
Photo: Elizabeth Brouwer
While exploring the hills of Weston Creek, Michael Young and his partner, Elizabeth Brouwer discovered this rock which bears an uncanny resemblance to the profile of a human face. "The old guy is reclining amongst a wide circle of massive rocks on one of the top of one of the rises on Cooleman Ridge in Chapman," reports Young, who adds, "that's Black Mountain Tower you can just make out in the distance."
Boar Rock
Photo: John Evans
On a trek through the Bimberi Wilderness (a trackless area within Namadgi National Park and the adjoining Kosciuszko National Park) Pastor John Evans of Kambah and his walking companion noticed this striking rock formation on Kelly Ridge, west of Mt Namadgi and above the Cotter River. "As soon as we set eyes on it, we simultaneously came up with the same name – 'Boar Rock'," recalls the good Pastor. Given the rock's remote location, I'd be surprised if anyone has set eyes on it since.
Sleeping Giant
Photo: Margo Wade
On your next trip out along Paddys River Road towards Tidbinbilla be sure to look out for this rocky stargazer which guards the turnoff to the Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex.
Marked Tree Road, Skull
Photo: Gary Poile
Several years ago while moving stock along the Marked Tree Road near Collector (OK, it's just across the ACT border, but still worthy of inclusion), Gary Poile stopped for a break near a mound of branches and vines. Intrigued as to what might lurk beneath the pile of vegetation, he cleared the branches away to reveal this naturally-occurring rock which bears an uncanny resemblance to a skull. "I've often wondered if the rock had been covered up on purpose," says Gary, who speculates, "perhaps it was of significance to some Aboriginal people".
A collection of Tim the Yowie Man's columns is now available in a book. In the Spirit of Banjo is available at Book Passion or at www.pendragonpublishing.com.au
Have you seen any others? Let us know in the comments
