Joongarrabah | Razorback

Joongarrabah | Razorback factsheet(PDF, 128KB)

The small mountain behind Tweed Heads rises 107m above sea level and is formed of basalt volcanic rock, approximately 23 million years old.

Joongarrabah, the place of the pelican (known as Razorback) holds special significance to Aboriginal people. The Bundjalung story of Joongarrabah is about respect, particularly respect for elders.

The geology of Joongarrabah and the surrounding landscape tie together in several interconnected cultural stories that link Joongarrabah (Razorback), Chubbo (Point Danger), and Jungurra (Cook Island). An important element of its cultural significance is the mountain’s line of sight to Wollumbin.

The mountain supports a small area of Critically Endangered Littoral Rainforest. Unlike most littoral rainforests which occur on sand this is one of very few occurrences of this vegetation community found on a rocky substrate. Due to their close proximity to the marine environment, Littoral Rainforests differ from other types of rainforest by the relative dominance of hard-leaved (scleropyhllous) trees and vines that tolerate exposure to salt laden winds. Several Endangered and Vulnerable species of flora and fauna inhabit Razorback. As a small patch of remnant vegetation surrounded by urban development, invasion by weeds, including “garden escapees”, is probably the most significant threat to the natural values of Razorback.