Family hike to historic Square Rock

The historic importance of Square Rock lies in its deep Indigenous heritage, its connection to ancient land management practices, and its distinct geological formation. It sits on the traditional Country of the Ngunnawal people, who have been the Traditional Custodians of the Namadgi high country for at least 20,000 to 25,000 years. The area surrounding Square Rock, including nearby Smokers Gap and Smokers Flat, served as crucial summer camping grounds. Aboriginal clans used these high alpine valleys for seasonal travel, food gathering, and community life. The prominent peaks and granite outcrops of Namadgi hold spiritual significance. High rock formations were traditionally used for ceremonies, identifying tribal boundaries, and mapping out connections to the surrounding Country. From a natural history perspective, the massive boulders that form Square Rock are part of a spectacular granite pluton formed roughly 400 to 450 million years ago. Deep beneath the earth's surface, molten magma slowly cooled to form hard granite. Over millions of years, the surrounding softer rock eroded away, exposing the dramatic, block-like geometric boulders that give the site its name today.