The Granite Belt is home to many natural stone formations – the most spectacular can be found in Girraween National Park or Bald Rock National Park. But what about man-made structures? For that, we have the Ballandean Pyramid.
South of Stanthorpe is the rural town of Ballandean and the famous giant stone pyramid. Built from blocks of local granite, the pyramid stands over 17 metres tall and contains 7500 tonnes of rock. It took eight months to complete.
The history of the pyramid
A humorous exchange between a local resident and the landowner birthed the idea of the pyramid. After excavating the area for land tillage, the landowner had an abundance of surplus granite rocks. The resident made flippant remark to build a pyramid and four hours later, the landowner agreed to create it.
How to get there
It’s an unusual landmark and quite incredible to see sitting against the backdrop of Girraween National Park. The pyramid sits on private property but is close enough to the roadside to snap a shot of the structure.
However, on ANZAC day the public are invited to see the pyramid up close. Every year, a commemoration event is held where a lone soldier holding the Australian flag stands atop the pyramid. There is a service ran by the local community as the sun goes down.
To reach the pyramid, turn off the highway (eastward towards the Ballandean Tavern) on Eukey Road. Then turn immediately right onto Jacobsens Road. Follow Jacobsens Road for 1.7km until you reach the giant pyramid on the right.
If you’re looking for things to do during your stay in Stanthorpe, we recommend a visit to the Ballandean Pyramid. It’s just a 10-minute drive from Severn River Cottages, so definitely worth a short trip!
