On the way to Mt Mee along the Mt Mee Scenic Drive, Dahmongah Park showcases the stunning panoramic views over the Glasshouse Mountains and the coastline of the Sunshine Coast.
The stop has some parking space and a rotunda shelter with information about D’Aguilar Range and the early days of Mt Mee and Dahmoungah. A smaller shelter has a picnic table near a free BBQ. There is a rubbish bin and a unisex toilet.
The star of this brown sign is the view. I always feel fortunate to get beautiful sunny weather. The air was a little hazy for the distance views but it was still stunning to see. The glasshouse mountains spread out across the panorama and further to Bribie Island.
Mt Mikeetebumulgral is the closest 13km away, about 1/3 across from the right on the photo below. Mt Beerburrum is further towards the centre and Wild Horse Mountain viewable just to the right of it. Further left is a few together with the twins of Mt Tunbubudla and Mt Tibrogargan seen between them. Mt Ngungun is difficult to see in the photo but it is a little further left. Furthest to the left is the towering Mt Beerwah and the column-topped Mt Coonowrin in between to the right of Mt Beerwah.
The photo below shows a closer view of Tibrogargan across to Mt Beerburrum.
History of Dahmongah and Mt Mee
The park retains the original area’s name Dahmongah, which means flying squirrel or flying possum. The Mt Mee State School was originally opened in 1884 as the Dahmongah Provisional School. It renamed 15 years later in 1899 and the name of the area changed afterwards.
Mt Mee is possibly derived from the Aboriginal name for a view or lookout, mia mia. Mia Mia Dairy is an old diary that operated from where the lookout is located. The dairy’s name may have influenced the naming of the area.
Timber brought settlers into the area. Two Aboriginals, Pompey and Nudlar, had shown the abundance of Red Cedar. The area also provided White Beach, Hoop Pine, Tallowood, Iron Bark, and Blue Gum. The prized timber from Dahmongah was used in the construction of St Stephens Cathedral and Redcliffe’s wooden bridge linking it to Brisbane.
The cleared land was used for various forms of agriculture, including the Mia Mia Dairy, supplying milk, cream and butter to Brisbane.
Logging has long ceased around Mt Mee and surrounding areas. The last sawmill to operate was in Mt Mee State Forest. The Gantry in D’Aguilar National Park remains of the saw mill from the 1930s to 1950s.
