Update 2020: Unfortunately part of the historical town has been destroyed. There are still some historical structures, cemetery and mine entrance. But the site got remodelled and locals do not want people to camp there (they own a camping stations nearby). I believe it is still worth a visit. The mountain itself is beautiful sight. So if you visit this place, please be considerate.
Oficially named Mount Mulligan. Large tabletop mountain (18 km by 6,5km). It is located approximately 100 kilometers west of Cairns. Mountain is bounded by high cliffs, that are around 200 up to 400 meter high. It is an impressive natural momument, which is regarded by the local Djungal Aboriginal peoples to be sacred dreaming place. Also called Uluru of Queensland.
On the tabletop itself are found the two oldest-known Aboriginal sites in Queensland: Nonda Rock and Ngarrabullgan Cave. They are dated back to 40 000+ years ago.
Mountain was formed in a narrow faulted rift within the deformed and folded metamorphic rock of the Hodgkinson Basin. The massif is conglomerate of sandstone.
Place is also very special in flora and fauna. There are 8 plant species that are found nowhere else and 22 animal species of special conservation significance under either the Queensland or Australian biodiversity conservation statutory regimes.
There also was a mining town. On 19 September 1921 there was a huge explosion killing 75 people (all the miners in the town) in what turned to be Queensland's worst mining disaster. The mine had been closed since 1957. The town had all broken down and been deserted. It is now a ghost town, with a single cemetery, a single occupied residence, a single chimney stack and overgrown remains of the once busy mining operations and electricity generator. At 2006 census, Mount Mulligan and the surrounding area had a population of 55.
How to get here? There is a way from Dimbulah (directions below)
http://osm.org/go/vD9YtQQ-
It is aproximately 60 kilometers from Dimbulah. Four wheel drive recommended but not necessary. At 29 km is the turn off to Tyrconell Mine (5 km) and Kingsborough (7 km). Once you get there, there is a closed gate, go through this gate and close it. After that, you are at this lovely place.
There are also remains of 2 shafts. You can get into them, but if you want to drive right to them, you need a 4x4 vehicle or you have to walk around 1 kilometer. Entrance to the cave is hidden behing a rock, see picture.
Just before the mining town is a Mount Mulligan station where you can do some camping and other stuff, see webpage http://mtmulliganstation.com.au
For logging this EC please send me a message with answers. You can log before i respond to you.
1, Sandstone at this place has a different colour, why is that? Don't need exact answer, just try to think and write something :)
2, Which material was mined here (hint on the information table near chimney)?
3, When you go to the shaft, there are big boulders, what is their structure like?
4, There is a specific name for this type of cliff, what is it (hint - Drakensberg mountains)?
5, Optional: Log a picture :)
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ngarrabullgan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Mulligan,_Queensland
http://mtmulliganstation.com.au/index.html