Min Min Lights
The Min Min lights are a mysterious phenomenon reported in the outback of Australia, particularly in the area around Boulia in Western Queensland. These unexplained lights have been observed for over a century, captivating the imaginations of locals, scientists, and travellers alike.
1947
Min Min Lights
One of Australia's most remarkable ghostly manifestations is the strange wandering light that appears at indefinite periods at Min Min, near Boulia, in Western Queensland. Known locally as the "ghost light," it is a moon of light suspended in space, darting hither and thither, vanishing ghost-like in the dark recesses of the trees. The locality in which it appears was the site of the notorious Min Min Hotel. These shanties, prevalent in Queensland over 70 years ago, were known for their disreputable nature. The Min Min Hotel was infamous, standing beside the road to Warenda and other outlying stations toward the border of Central Australia. These establishments, including the Min Min Hotel, made profits from "lambing down" unwary shearers and station hands who arrived with large cheques and large thirsts. Many men died there due to fierce, doped spirits, wild brawls, or murders for their money. The Min Min graveyard, located behind the hotel site, is where many of these victims were buried. The hotel itself was destroyed by fire nearly 70 years ago. Shortly after the fire, a stockman rode wildly one night to the police station, agitated and claiming to have seen a strange glow in the Min Min graveyard. The glow grew to the size of a watermelon, hovered over the ground, and followed him as he rode towards Boulia, only disappearing when he reached the outskirts of the town. Initially, the police and townspeople were skeptical, but subsequent reports confirmed the phenomenon, making it an established fact. Thousands of people have witnessed the Min Min light. Many scientists have gone to Boulia to solve the mystery but have been baffled. While it shares some features with the will-o'-the-wisp seen in marshlands and graveyards in northern Europe, the Min Min light's behavior and location over hard, rocky plains differ significantly. The Min Min lights have become an integral part of Australian folklore, featuring in various stories, books, and tourism promotions. The lights continue to intrigue and mystify those who encounter them, maintaining their enigmatic allure. [1]
1953
Mystery of the Min Min Lights
The Min Min lights have intrigued and mystified the people of the Boulia district for more than half a century. This strange phenomenon has become a legend across stations from Warenda to Makunda Downs, causing cold shivers and even stampedes among cattle. The lights derive their name from their first appearances near the Min Min pub. Like a huge ball of fire that illuminates the plains for miles, the Min Min lights can race across the downs at speeds of 30 to 40 miles per hour. Despite various explanations, no satisfactory conclusion has been reached regarding their origin. Some speculate that it could be a type of night bird or phosphorus that appears intermittently. On one occasion, the light appeared at Lucknow Station near a set of yards where a mob of sheep had been delivered. The light has the power to change direction. Another sighting at Makunda bore involved a mob of cattle, where the light initially caused nervousness among
the cattle before veering off to the south, allowing the cattle to settle down. Attempts to chase the light on foot, horseback, or by car have proven futile. One individual even suffered a broken leg after his horse crashed into a fence during a pursuit. Despite reassuring others of its harmlessness, he regarded the light with suspicion as it often reappeared behind him just when he thought he was closing in on it. A well-known carrier from the horse team days experienced the light when it raced over his wagons, causing his son to hide under a tarpaulin and the family dog, Bluey, to break his chain and run off into the bush. Despite numerous encounters and investigations, the Min Min light remains an intriguing mystery.[2]
References
- "MIN MIN'S GHOSTLY LIGHT." Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser (Qld. : 1860 - 1947). 8 February 1947. Retrieved from Trove(https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/151570538).
