Telling the story..
Bunya Mountains Natural History Association
Where natural history and community heritage come alive.
Our vision shapes who we are
Our Mission Directs our focus
About the Bunya Mountains Natural History Association
The Bunya Mountains Natural History Association (BMNHA) is a community of locals and long-time admirers of the Bunya Mountains who share a deep commitment to preserving the mountains unique natural and cultural heritage.
The Natural History Association honors the long-standing presence and cultural knowledge of First Nations people of the Bunya Mountains.
UNDERSTANDING THE BUNYA MTS. ENVIRONMENT
The Bunya Mountains are an ancient, natural wonder. There are a number of ‘rarities’ we all treasure. DID YOU KNOW….
Bunya Mountains is the only place on the planet where so many Bunya trees grow in the wild. As well, Bunya and Hoop Trees (both members of the Aracauria family) grow together ‘in the wild’. There are a number of rare and endangered species of plants and creatures.
BUNYA MOUNTAINS HUMAN HISTORY
Our cultural heritage – is housed in our Natural History Museum; historic Cedarvale Cottage and Hillview located in the Dandibah precinct. For decades, volunteers have given their time and skills to collect and care for the museum – 2 buildings once filled with the everyday lives of early settler families as they lived, worked and raised families in the area.
Volunteers have gathered artefacts and stories from the late-1800s timber-felling era, along with old photographs. .Today, these buildings hold and preserve those memories – and share them with the visiting public. Today, those stories live on…
WHO WE ARE
A community caring for the heritage of the Bunya Mountains
The Bunya Mountains Natural History Association brings together people who share a strong connection to the Bunya Mountains and a commitment to protecting its stories.
Our members include local residents, former residents, descendants of mountain families, historians, volunteers and visitors who have developed a lasting affection for this distinctive landscape.
For many years, members and volunteers have gathered photographs, tools, household items, documents and personal stories connected to life on the mountain. Much of the collection has been generously donated by families who wanted their history preserved and shared.
The Association cares for Cedarvale Cottage Museum and Hillview in Dandabah. Together, these buildings provide a window into the everyday lives of people who lived, worked and raised families in the Bunya Mountains.
Our work includes:
- Encouraging all future generations to value and protect the heritage of the Bunya Mts.
- Recognising the long-standing presence and cultural knowledge of First Nations people
- Preserving photographs, documents, artefacts and family histories associated with the Bunya Mts.
- Welcoming visitors and community groups
- Supporting research into natural and cultural aspects of Bunya Mountains life.
- Caring for the museum buildings and diverse collections
The museum exists because people have chosen to contribute — by becoming members, volunteering their time, donating items and sharing their stories.
Ancient and unique. A panorama of Bunya and other Rainforest trees.
Paradise Falls. Bunya Mts.
Human Stories – we hold…
Nature’s Stories – we share…
Shining a light on History.
One story at a time…
Housing the Stories at Cedarvale Cottage Museum.
Cedarvale Cottage (the front building) once housed a family of 9! Today it holds the stories, the photographs and the models of life in a different era. Cedarvale was once the home of William McClelland and his wife, Maria and their growing family.
The dwelling behind Cedarvale Cottage is called Hillview. This slab building was the home of Ernie Sheedy and new bride Bessie during winter of 1912. The hut became their bedroom and a lean-to was added serving as both the kitchen and laundry “for his wife’s convenience”.
Today, both these buildings hold the memories of many. Therre are illustrated stories of courage, generousity, and heart-rending grief. There are models that demonstrate just how inventive workers were in this era.
There are books and photoalbums; photographs that tell the story of generations of young people who completed Junior and Senior Mountaineers – who now return with their own children and grandchildren!
Whether you are visiting for the first time, returning to a place you love, or looking for a way to contribute, we invite you to discover the aretfacts and stories held within the walls of Cedarvale Cottage and Hillview.
Shining a light on the Environment
The stories Nature tells …
Here Nature speaks – LOUDLY! Showing off unique environments; wet rainforest, dry rainforest, eucalypt forest and natural grasslands (balds)-home to an array of wild and colourful plants and animals.
BUNYA MOUNTAINS PLANTS:
In total there are 765 native species of plants. Including the unique Bunya Trees which, approx every third year, produce super-large cones containing approx 50 – 90 nuts.
BUNYA MOUNTAINS CREATURES:
61 native mammals – including three different types of Wallabies, Red-Necked Wallabies, Pademelons, Black Stripe Wallabies and the Swamp Wallabies. There are dingoes that live on the Bunya Mountains. Bunya Mts Dingoes are rarely seen but may be heard howling during autumn.
In addition, there are more than 49 reptile species – lizards, snakes, geckos and skinks. There are 14 different types of frogs and a variety of insects such as ladybeetles and spiders AND, in late September, early October Bunyas fireflies wizz through the rainforest looking for a mate!
BUNYA MOUNTAINS BIRDS:
Last and perhaps most spectacular – The Bunya Mountains is where you can spot 175 – 200 wild and colourful birds.
BUNYA MOUNTAINS FUNGI:
After rain, you can find colourful and crazy-named fungi-families such as stink-horns, Polypores, Jellies and turkey-tails.
Other awe-inspiring Bunya Mountains features include viewing the stary night sky without any un-natural light interference- or pausig to view unusual Orchids that hang from trees and cliffs.
Being a light in our Bunya Mountains Community.. For locals and visitors.
BUNYA MTS. NHA 2026 News…
FEBRUARY:
BUNYA NUT PREPARATIONS: Thank you to the Bunya Mts. Art & Craft group.
BUNYA NUT CELEBRATIONS WEEKEND: Celebrating the biggest Bunya Nut fall in living memory (oldest Bunya Mts resident)
MARCH:
BM-NHA’s BIRTHDAY: Celebrating 50 years of Bunya Mountains Natural History Association
APRIL:
“What’s at risk and What’s Not” An informative presentation by BM-NHA Member Dr. John Neldner.
JUNE:
CELEBRATING WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY: Thank you author, Dale Tredwell for sharing your nature-story with us.
AUGUST:
MURGON MUSEUM VISIT:
A tree-climbing Crocodile? A giant frog? The first song-birds? YES. BM-NHA Attendees were amazed by these scientific discoveries at nearby Murgon! https://www.55mya.com.au/
SEPTEMBER:
BURYING THE TIME CAPSULE: Open in 2051! Thank. you RACQ workers who voluntarily shifted our flagpole and helped bury the capsule.
Bunya Nut Celebration preparations
FEBRUARY:Bunya Nut Celebration Weekend. BM-NHA hosts
FEBRUARY: Bunya Nut Celebration with the community
MARCH: BM-NHA celebrates 50 years.
APRIL: Dr.John’s BM-NHA Presentation.
JUNE: BM-HNA Celebrates World Environment Day. Sharing Nature’s Stories…
JUNE: NHA Member is mentor for Qld TAFE Students on their field trip to the Buny Mts.
AUGUST: BM-NHA hosts QUT students attending an Environmental Field trip to the Bunya Mts. A visit to Cedarvale Cottage Museum. Bunya Nut Celebration with the community
AUGUST: Seekers of familial roots… Cedarvale displays and archives provided some early connections for families…
Coming NHA Events…
Join Us in October
OCTOBER 31, 2026.
BUNYA MOUNTAINS – PARK OF THE MONTH
National Parks Association of Queensland’s PARK FOR OCTOBER is the Bunya Mountains.
Cedarvale Cottage Museum will be open on that day from 10am – 2pm AND AGAIN from 4pm – 5pm. Come and visit us between 10am – 12.30pm when the PARK OF THE MONTH activities begin.
4pm – 5pm @ CEDARVALE COTTAGE MUSEUM, NHA Members will be hosting
BUNYA BOUNTY CLASS – Taste a Bunya Nut and learn how to cook them!”
The rich, floury Araucaria Bunya Nuts are one of Australia’s nutritious foods. They have a unique flavour and can be used in multiple ways. Discover more about this amazing plant, enjoy taste-testing and conversations about “How to cook Bunya Nuts”
We invite you to join us.
Join Us in November/ December
November 29, 2026.
CEDARVALE COTTAGE MUSEUM
Will be open on that day from 10am – 2pm
Come and Visit us on Bunya Mountains Market Day.
We invite you to join us.
December 13, 2026. BUNYA MTS. COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CAROLS AT CEDARVALE’S FRONT DOOR.
Come and find a seat on Dandibah’s lawn outside Cedarvale Cottage Museum.
Join the singing, storying – and a visit from our very own Bunyas Santa Claus.
A free community event.
Contact us…
Meet some of our Members.
Over time we will introduce different members… we are people from different walks of life. Different stages of life. Some live at the Bunyas. Some live in Australia – and even overseas!
Hear why these people have chosen to be BM-NHA Members.
Opening days currently are the last Sunday of each month 10am – 2pm
We open Cedarvale doors for groups of Visitors…
Cedarvale Cottage Museum is a place that was built to share stories and foster curiosity. In 2026/27, we intend to further encourage groups from all educational sectors; University, TAFE, Secondary and Primary. We want to also encourage community organisations and large family groups who visit the Bunya Mountains to call and make an appointment so we can open our doors for you at a mutually convenient time.
The Bunya Mountains and Cedarvale Cottage Museum offers a place where curiosity and conversations are encouraged. Learning is connected to real-life Nature and Real-life History.
If you’re looking for a place where your learning experiences are brought to life – visit us.
Thank You
Thanks for visiting!
Address Here
Phone?
Questions? Email our staff here.