The Mystery Craters near Bundaberg

By Steven Strong

*Special thanks to Sifu, Duncan and Agnele

02/08/25

I received a phone call from a colleague of ours, Sifu Phillipe, in regard to a site he had just visited called Mystery Craters. Sifu was adamant that it not only was the genuine article, but there was presence, an energy at this site, and he strongly recommended that we take the time to have a close look. He told us that experts from around the world had examined the site and, as yet, no-one had come up with a definitive or convincing explanation. Nevertheless, the most convenient option on the table related to the oft cited belief that this was all the result of a meteor strike. However, there is a fundamental flaw in such a scenario in that when a meteor brakes up during descent it spreads outwards, never the reverse. What is undeniable is that gaps of no more than one to two metres between craters has never been part of the narrative of rocks falling from the sky, anywhere, until now. It is for that reason that any expert offering such an explanation has hedged this conclusion in equivocations and maybes.

In what only adds to the uncertainties, is that no residual deposits of iron or remains of any meteor have been found on site. What can be found in abundance are large deposits of red ochre, and in many cases the ochre resides within the rims of many of these craters. Surely the presence of so much red clay is contradictory as all of it should have been obliterated in such a high-speed impact zone.

There was a second option canvassed by a geological ‘experts’ that was published in the Queensland Government Mining Journal in 1971 that concluded with two options of an “ancient sink holes or collapsed lava tubes.” However, there are four clear inconsistencies that were either deliberately omitted or never thought through. The thirty-five depressions do not match the traditional sink-bowl shapes having a flat base and vertical sides. Sink holes almost invariably are formed through water erosion of soft rocks like limestone, never the hardened rocks as is the case here. That there are thirty-five holes so intensely clustered together has no precedent or parallel on this planet, and equally, the proliferation of so much ochre is contradictory as it would have been washed away during the initial inundation and collapse.

What did need to be factored into this report compiled in 1971, was that this was the year when the farmer who owned the land before selling to Duncan and Agnele first dug into the earth. It wasn’t until 1973 when this location was open for the public to inspect. That means a huge majority of the holes were not unearthed or visible when this report was compiled, that alone, even if ignoring the inherent inconsistencies inherent, at the best it is a preliminary report dependent on further inspections once excavations were complete.

Apart and above any geological anomalies or proposed off-world incursions, Sifu was insistent that there was a palpable mystical contribution at this site he could sense. As we were speaking at a three night at a two-day event at Bundaberg and this site was a ten-minute detour on the way home, we decided to act on Sifu’s observations and recommendations.

Up Close and Personal

What Sifu did not provide was a description of the arrangements, buildings and improvements of facilities. The shop, rock and crystal displays, manicured surrounds, cafeteria, various outbuildings along with life-sized model of a dinosaur were unexpected. And there amongst all the trappings was a fenced off area of close to one acre with a quite impressive viewing platform of about five metres in height stationed above the craters.

                Upon meeting Duncan and Agnele what immediately resonated was their deep connection with the site. They felt drawn if not specifically called to the site, it was clear from the beginning that they were the right people to look after a site that was undeniably sacred and special. What only accentuated this mystical connection was what the Original Elders shared with the original owners in relation to this site’s Old Way Original significance. They told Duncan and Agnele that one Elder upon entering sighted a symbol he knew was exclusively a women’s business symbol, and because of this they could never return. The other Elder was confident that this was a women’s site of high significance. Irrespective of which version is closer to the mark, what both responses do share is that this is an agreed sacred place. What does also resonate, is that whether a location honouring creation, which is solely what women do, or women’s ceremonies, there is a definite female connection identified by both Elders.

                In what we feel is not a coincidence, is that when the site was opened to the public in 1973, the main event held was a women’s fashion show. It could be that the Women’s White-fella ceremony was fully in keeping with the sentiments and intentions of a site devoted to women.

                These craters have other shared features, the dimensions of every crater in width and the gaps between craters are very similar, and sizable deposits or red ochre can be found scattered throughout the complex. What immediately stood out was that during our many years on country, never before had we seen either the quantity or quality of so much red ochre. Surely the force of impact and incredible heat generated would have destroyed all clay deposits, no matter what the colour.

                So, with the Original significance and sacredness fully substantiated, what still needs to be determined is how these collections of holes in the dirt came to be. We are not inclined to call these holes craters as such a description implies that some sort of forceful impact took place, and there are many good reasons why any form of meteor strike is inconsistent and tenuous at best.

                Many of the so-called crater’s bases are flat and level, and the sides are neither curved nor diagonal, but often almost vertical and on a ninety-degree incline. If a crater, I would expect that the mid-point to be the deepest with the rest of the floor and sides taking on a curved or sloped trajectory. And in what is the biggest obstacle as to why every expert was not prepared to categorically state with any certainty or authority that this is all down to a meteor strike, is the fact that over a dozen supposed meteor craters are all intensively clustered inside an area that is less than one acre in size.

                When a meteor first enters the upper levels of the atmosphere it is subject to increasing levels of heat and pressure. If, as often is the case, the culmination of these two forces is too great the rock from space explodes breaking up into smaller fragments. It never implodes and is drawn together but does the opposite. After that initial separation, as the rocks descend, they only do one thing, they spread further apart. Every other crater found either on this planet, other rock planets or moons that has been named or mapped, is never prefaced by any word that means uncertainty. The only reason why these holes in the ground are still referred to as a “mystery” is simply because there is no other word more appropriate.

Standing by the Fence

Knowing that this site is sacred, when taken down to the fence that surrounds these holes, the first process required was to lay down a dozen sacred rocks I brought to assist, then try and understand what all of this meant. Agnele asked me if I wanted to get closer by entering the precinct. My rocks objected, they told me this is a women’s site and males are unwelcome. It was only after my refusal to enter did Agnele share with me two earlier abortive attempts to enter.

She spoke of her dealings with one male Elder who walked inside a few steps then immediately turned around and walked out vowing never to return. He told Agnele that this is a women’s site, and once knowing this he was bound by Lore and Law to never enter such a sacred female locality. Another male who was not of Original but Asian ancestry acted independently when jumping over the fence with a camera at the ready. Upon entering nothing else mattered, he just had to get out and over the fence he went. He offered nothing in explanation, the speed in which he departed filled in all the gaps.

From my guardian rock’s perspective all of these brief incursions and retreats was the male norm when on female country. That overriding imperative meant I could neither measure nor closely inspect, but there was one formation where I intuitively sensed was of even more importance. From first sighting this particular crater-like rock amphitheatre which was both the widest and deepest, I kept returning to the same scene and intuitive response: this was the place where women would gather and perform ceremony. What only strengthened my belief that this place was women’s business’ central headquarters, was a depression I believed to be a place where a pregnant woman could position herself when giving birth. I had been to a ‘hospital site’ elsewhere and an Elder pointed out the birthing site there, and it looked almost identical to the depression here.

What it Isn’t and What it Could be

This collection of holes is a place where men should not tread. To be honest that is the only unchallengeable fact coming out of my inspection at fence-length. I felt it, my rocks concur, so too does an Original Elder who knows some Old Way truths, but so too does a non-Original trespasser who has no knowledge or respect, but all of us share the same trait, we are males. So, for all males, by all means take in the scenery, stroll nearby, look as long as you want, but under no conditions get too close, or even worse, actually touch. That would be like crossing the beams in Ghostbusters multiplied by ten.

                What can be added to this spartan check-list is that no ‘expert’ has categorically stated that this collection of holes is due to a meteorite shower. There is no other site like this on this planet or any other rocky residence in the solar system where so many assumed meteor craters are this numerous or so tightly clustered together. The dirt floors are too flat, the walls are too vertical, the many sizable deposits of sacred red ochre too prevalent and there has been no residual iron present or grains of any meteor detected. All of these facts seriously call into question anything falling out of the sky and into the dirt.

                From what I could see, admittedly I was seated in front-row seats in the grandstand, ruling out as an explanation any form of meteorite strike is a relatively easy and logical step, but what follows that narrowing of the cause/causes is all down to guesswork simply because, as the signs say, this place is a “mystery.”

                With meteors ruled out, all we are left with is natural geological causes or human hands. The problem is that the lack of precedence which was part of the meteor narrative also applies equally to any suggestion that these holes are a naturally occurring event. There is no other site in Australia that have so many holes so close together, and none of the ‘experts’ who have examined the Mystery Craters near Bundaberg have entertained this all being down to any geological process.

                So, if it isn’t down to rocks from ‘as on top,’ nor due to any natural forces ‘so below,’ all we are left with are the humans who reside in between.  Now this is where it gets decidedly inconvenient and a touch challenging, as there would be an almost unanimous consensus amongst the ‘experts’ that the Original people neither had the technology nor need to construct something like this. However, it is clear that however this cluster of holes came about, if it didn’t come from above or below all that is left are the humans in the middle and whatever technology they used. The two technological paths we have is either the limitations of stick, stone and bone tools or a progression into metal, laser and sound, any of which would be sufficient for the tasks at hand here.

From >1% to 100%

When it comes to compiling a list of potential catalysts/agents responsible for creating this cluster of holes, whether considering a meteor strike or natural geological causes, as neither proposal has a precedent or vaguely familiar parallel, the likelihood of either choice being responsible is less than one-per-cent.

Ruling out both ‘as on top’ and ‘so below,’ all that is left relates to those residing on the surface. Before Cook the only native animal who showed an inclination to extensively dig in the dirt is a wombat, and past Cook there is the addition of rabbits. Both mammals dig burrows but never through rock and never as extensive in number, depth or width as is the case here. Outside those two four-legged animals the only other bipedal candidate are humans, and whatever the odds they are responsible has to be more than the percentages awarded to meteors or any four-legged animals. So, nothing less than >1% for a human involvement would be sufficient. The experts came, looked and some said maybe, others proposed it could be, but none said definitely. So far, none of these scores are encouraging, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.

The two Elders came to this site with no predispositions or agenda to prosecute, yet both left adamant that some kind of feminine connection was present and accounted for. In this instance the site itself guided and advised the keepers of Old Way Lore, in that they offered their interpretations not before, but only once they were on site. It strikes us that this direct on-site interface is the only way forward. Knowing that Duncan and Agnele were called to the site and urged to purchase and protect, it may well be that the site itself will share its origin, distant past and purpose with the two people it specifically summoned to take up residence.      

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