The Ballandean Pyramid is a man-made stone
pyramid
A pyramid (from el, πυραμίς ') is a structure whose outer surfaces are triangular and converge to a single step at the top, making the shape roughly a pyramid in the geometric sense. The base of a pyramid can be trilateral, quadrilat ...
near the small village of
Ballandean
Ballandean is a rural town and locality in the Southern Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. In the , the locality of Ballandean had a population of 338 people.
Ballandean is in the Granite Belt Region of the Southern Downs. It is on the Quee ...
,
Queensland
)
, nickname = Sunshine State
, image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = Australia
, established_title = Before federation
, establishe ...
,
Australia. The pyramid is approximately 15 metres in height and built from blocks of the local granite. (It should not be confused with the nearby natural rock formations known as the Pyramids in the
Girraween National Park
Girraween National Park is an area of the Granite Belt in the Darling Downs region of Queensland, Australia reserved as a national park. Girraween is known for its spectacular flowers, dramatic landscapes and unique wildlife. Bushwalking and rock ...
.) It is on private property belonging to a local vineyard (Henty Estate) and is approximately 25 metres from the nearest road.
History
The pyramid was built after a local resident, Peter Watters (Watters Vine Management Service), asked the land owner Stewart Morland what was to be done with the surplus amount of granite rocks that were excavated for land tillage, humorously suggesting that a pyramid could be constructed.
Four hours later Morland decided to build the pyramid and contracted the work to Ken Stubberfield at a cost of $1000.
The pyramid base was to be 30 metres wide. Landscaping of the base was completed early and the rocks were collected by a dump truck and brought to the site. The first three levels of rocks were laid first by a large excavator and then manoeuvred appropriately into place by a smaller excavator. As the pyramid rose, a makeshift dirt ramp was built to negotiate the height and the construction vehicles used this access ramp to complete the pyramid. At the end of construction, the ramp was removed by the excavator.
The pyramid, which weighs approximately 7500 tonnes, took eight months to build.
Regulations and maintenance
It is currently forbidden for public to climb the pyramid for any reason. The pyramid is on private property where public entry is prohibited, but it is visible from the road.
As considerable amounts of earth from the construction ramp ended up inside the pyramid, weeds and
blackberry
The blackberry is an edible fruit produced by many species in the genus ''Rubus'' in the family Rosaceae, hybrids among these species within the subgenus ''Rubus'', and hybrids between the subgenera ''Rubus'' and ''Idaeobatus''. The taxonomy ...
bushes have appeared on the pyramid. A small tree even germinated at the very top of the pyramid which could be seen from a distance, causing annoyance to passers-by. This was removed by hand by a vineyard worker in mid-January 2013, restoring the pyramid to its original symmetrical look.
Services
An
Anzac Day service was held at the site. The
Last Post
The "Last Post" is either an A or a B♭ bugle call, primarily within British infantry and Australian infantry regiments, or a D or an E♭ cavalry trumpet call in British cavalry and Royal Regiment of Artillery (Royal Horse Artillery and Ro ...
was played from midway up the pyramid and a flag was posted at the top.
See also
*
Gympie Pyramid
References
External links
{{commons category-inline, Ballandean Pyramid
Ballandean, Queensland
Pyramids in Australia