Mount Stromlo (formerly Mount Strom
Geology
The rock on Mount Stromlo consists of
ignimbrite from the Laidlaw Volcanics. This erupted in the upper
Silurian period over the top of the Deakin Volcanics
rhyodacite which is visible on the surface on the lower slopes in the east and southeast sides. The northern lower slopes are covered with a calcareous
shale which is included in the Laidlaw Volcanics as it was deposited at the same time. This is cut off on the northwest side by the Winslade Fault, which heads north east to and . A spur fault heads off east from the Winslade Fault to under the
Scrivener Dam. On the northwest and north side of these faults are middle Silurian period rhyodacite volcanic deposits from the Walker Volcanics. The northern side was uplifted compared with the southern side.
The name Stromlo is taken from the poems of Ossian.[The Free Library: 'Mount Stromlo, ACT, Australia: the origin of the place-name'. The name of the NSW town Temora is also from Ossian's Poems.]
Landform
Stoney Creek and its tributaries drain the north side of the mountain, The east side drains into the
Molonglo River. The south side supplies Blugar Creek that runs into the Murrumbidgee River.
The summit of the mountain where the telescopes are located is elongated in a north–south direction, with a spur running to the southwest where the water treatment plant is situated.
Observatory history
The first telescope installed at Mount Stromlo was the Oddie telescope which was installed on 8 September 1911.
The building housing this telescope was the first construction funded by the Commonwealth Government in Canberra. In January 1913 the first telephone was connected to the Queanbeyan telephone exchange.
Mount Stromlo was devastated by the Canberra bushfires of 2003. The fire, fuelled by the pine plantation that covered the mountain, destroyed or badly damaged much of the observatory and water treatment plant.
Road access is via the Cotter Road on the south side, and Uriarra Road on the east and north. The summit is reached by a road joining Cotter Road just outside .
Stromlo Forest Park
Mount Stromlo is renowned for its extensive and well-equipped mountain biking facilities. Following the 2003 bushfires, significant trail reconstruction was undertaken, resulting in over of cross-country trails, a downhill track, and various other cycling courses. The site hosted the UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships, attracting over visitors from 40 countries. Beyond mountain biking, Stromlo Forest Park also features an event pavilion, cafe, kids' play area, road cycling circuit, running track, and equestrian trails.
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