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{{Short description|Mountain in Victoria, Australia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2012}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name= You Yangs<br/>''(Wurdi Youang)''
| map=
| map_size=
| photo=You-yangs-victoria-australia.jpg
| photo_size= 275
| photo_caption=The You Yangs viewed from the south, with [[Avalon Airport]] in the foreground
| other_name=
| country= Australia
| subdivision2_type= State
| subdivision2= [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]]
| parent= 
| geology= {{hlist|[[Igneous rock|Igneous]]|[[Sedimentary rock|Sedimentary]]|[[Metamorphic rock|Metamorphic]]}}
| age= Devonian
| orogeny=
| highest=Flinders Peak
| elevation_m= 319
| range_coordinates= {{coord|37|57|S|144|26|E|type:mountain_region:AU|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates= 
| length_km= 24
}}

[[File:You Yangs panorama. Spring 2024.jpg|thumb|You Yangs panorama, Spring 2024]]

The '''You Yangs''' are a series of [[granite]] [[ridge]]s that rise up to {{cvt|319|m}} above the flat and low-lying [[Werribee Plain]] in southern [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], [[Australia]], approximately {{cvt|5|km}} due west of the rural town of [[Little River, Victoria|Little River]], {{cvt|55|km}} southwest of [[Melbourne]] [[Melbourne CBD|CBD]] and {{cvt|22|km}} north of [[Geelong]].  The main ridge runs roughly north-south for about {{cvt|9|km|round=5}}, with a lower extension running for about {{cvt|15|km|round=5}} to the west. Much of the southern section of the range is [[protected area|protected]] in [[You Yangs Regional Park]].

The You Yangs sits about halfway between the [[Brisbane Ranges]] to the west and the nearest coast, at [[Corio Bay]] to the south-east. Although its highest point, Flinders Peak at the southern end, is only 319&nbsp;m, the You Yangs dominate the surrounding landscape and are clearly identifiable from nearby Geelong, Melbourne and beyond.

The You Yangs are the site of a [[geoglyph]] of [[Bunjil]], a [[The Dreaming|Dreamtime]] creator deity to some of the [[Aboriginal Victorians|Indigenous people of Victoria]], depicted as an [[wedge-tailed eagle]]. The geoglyph was constructed by the Australian artist [[Andrew Rogers (sculptor)|Andrew Rogers]] in recognition of the local [[Indigenous Australians|Indigenous]] [[Wathaurong]] people. Unveiled in March 2006, the geoglyph has a wing span of 100 metres and 1500 tonnes of rock was used in its construction.<ref>[http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Oceania/Australia/photo508934.htm TrekEarth | You Yangs Geoglyph Photo]</ref><ref>[http://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/Media_Releases/March_2006/Geoglyphs_at_Eastern_Park_and_You_Yangs_unveiled/ City of Greater Geelong: Geoglyphs at Eastern Park and You Yangs unveiled]</ref>

==History==
The name "You Yang" comes from the [[Indigenous Australians|Aboriginal]] words ''[[Wurdi Youang]]'' or ''Ude Youang'' which could have any number of meanings from "big mountain in the middle of a plain", "big or large hill", or "bald". The [[Woiwurrung language|Woiwurrung]] word for granite stone 'yow wong' is also a possibility.<ref>Clark, I. (Ed.) (2014). An Historical Geography of Tourism in Victoria, Australia. Case Studies. Berlin: De Gruyter Open. Retrieved 7 Aug. 2014, from http://www.degruyter.com/view/product/430898, p. 182.</ref> The Yawangi people enlarged natural hollows in the rocks to form [[soakage|well]]s that held water even in dry seasons.<ref>Massola, A. (1969). journey to Aboriginal victoria. Adelaide: Rigby Ltd. p. 11-13</ref> The area around the You Yangs was called ''Morong-morongoo'' after the [[murnong]], or yam daisy, that was abundant there.<ref>{{cite news |title=Native Names |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/112862761 |access-date=11 August 2020 |agency=The Ballarat Star |date=8 June 1866 |via=Trove}}</ref>

Explorer [[Matthew Flinders]] was the first European to visit the You Yangs. On 1 May 1802, he and three of his men climbed to the highest point.<ref>
{{citation
  | last = Flinders
  | first = Matthew
  | author-link = Matthew Flinders
  | title = A Voyage to Terra Australis
  | publisher = G. and W. Nicol
  | volume = 1
  | page = 216
  | year = 1814
  | location = London
  | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=C-c-AAAAYAAJ }}, entry for 1 May 1802
</ref><ref name="parks">[https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/you-yangs-regional-park Parks Victoria: You Yangs Regional Park page]</ref> He named it "Station Peak"<ref>[http://avoca.vicnet.net.au/~dromana/markers.htm Australian Historical Markers]</ref> but the name was changed in 1912 to "Flinders Peak" in his honour.<ref>[http://avoca.vicnet.net.au/~dromana/plqflin7.htm Matthew Flinders Memorial You Yangs]</ref>

The You Yangs have always attracted artists to paint them and feature most strongly in works by one of Australia's greatest artists, [[Fred Williams (artist)|Fred Williams]]. Williams spent long periods developing his ''[[plein air]]'' representations of the You Yangs, and they have now become classics of Australian art – rugged, dramatic, yet sparse in their imagery – unquestionably of the Australian bush.

The You Yangs were chosen to depict some battle scenes for the [[HBO]] [[World War II]] series ''[[The Pacific (miniseries)|The Pacific]]''.

==Geography==
The nearest settlements include;
*[[Balliang, Victoria|Balliang]] - 5&nbsp;km northwest
*[[Little River, Victoria|Little River]] - 5&nbsp;km east
*[[Lara, Victoria|Lara]] - 7&nbsp;km south
*[[Geelong, Victoria|Geelong]] - 31.5&nbsp;km south
*[[Werribee, Victoria|Werribee]] - 37.5&nbsp;km east

Two watercourses pass through or by the ranges: [[Hovells Creek]] originates in the western parts of the ranges, while [[Little River (Greater Geelong)|Little River]] flows around the ranges to the north and east.

==Geology==
[[File:You Yangs Bunjil geoglyph.JPG|250px|thumb|View of the Bunjil geoglyph from Flinders Peak]]

Contrary to popular belief, the You Yangs are not the remains of a [[volcano]]. They are an [[inselberg]] or monadnock,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Donath |first1=Egon |title=The You Yangs |journal=Walk: A Journal of the Melbourne Bushwalkers |date=1952 |issue=3 |page=43 |url=https://mbw.org.au/downloads/walk_magazine/walk-issue03-1952.pdf |access-date=2017-09-11}}</ref> and the [[granite]] that forms them was originally a mass of [[magma]] that had worked its way up into the surrounding [[sedimentary rocks]] during the [[Devonian]] period, when the land surface in Victoria was several kilometres higher than today.<ref>{{cite web|title=Geological History of the Brisbane Ranges|url=http://www.fobr.org.au/park-history/geological-history|publisher=Friends of the Brisbane Ranges|access-date=2017-09-11}}</ref>

The magma [[crystallisation|crystallised]] before it reached the surface, so it did not produce any volcanic activity. Instead, a very slow cooling rate allowed many large white crystals of [[feldspar]] to form.<ref>{{cite web|title=The You Yangs|url=https://poi-australia.com.au/points-of-interest/australia/victoria/little-river/the-you-yangs-previously-station-peak-intersection-rockwell-rd-turntable-dr-little-river-vic/|publisher=POI Australia|access-date=2017-09-11}}</ref> These can be seen in many of the granite outcrops throughout the ranges. In places the crystals appear to be lined up, probably because the gooey magma was still moving around when they were growing. The rock enclosing the big feldspar crystals mainly contains crystals of greyish [[quartz]] and two black minerals ([[hornblende]] and a variety of [[mica]] known as [[biotite]]).

There are also some tiny crystals of two minerals, [[allanite]] and [[titanite]],<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Clemens |first=J. D. |date=2019-02-17 |title=The You Yangs batholith in Southeastern Australia, the sources of its magmas and inferences for local crustal architecture |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08120099.2019.1525430 |journal=Australian Journal of Earth Sciences |language=en |volume=66 |issue=2 |pages=247–264 |doi=10.1080/08120099.2019.1525430 |issn=0812-0099}}</ref> that contain [[radioactive]] elements such as [[uranium]] and [[thorium]]. Titanite crystals have been used to calculate that the You Yangs granite solidified 365 million years ago. In many places in the granite there are dark grey clots and lumps. These are called [[xenoliths]] and are foreign pieces of sedimentary rock that have been incorporated into the magma as it moved to the location at which it solidified.

[[File:Werribee, facing the You Yangs to the west. Taken 2017.jpg|thumb|left|The You Yangs as seen from Werribee Racecourse, 2017]]

The land surface has [[erosion|eroded]] over the millions of years since the granite solidified, leaving it exposed. Because granite is a hard rock, it has resisted erosion better than the rocks that surrounded it. The size and shape of the rounded [[Tor (rock formation)|tors]] are controlled by fractures in the granite that resulted from slight shrinkage during cooling. Weathering and erosion of the granite has formed a blanket of sandy soil that covers any contacts with surrounding rocks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://museumvictoria.com.au/discoverycentre/infosheets/the-you-yangs/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080729064927/http://museumvictoria.com.au/DiscoveryCentre/Infosheets/The-You-Yangs/|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 July 2008|title=The You Yangs: Museums Victoria|website=museumvictoria.com.au|language=en-au|access-date=2017-06-08}}</ref>

==Climate, vegetation and wildlife==
Owing to the [[rain shadow]] created by the [[Otway Ranges]] to the south-west, the You Yangs are in the driest part of Victoria south of the [[Great Dividing Range]]. Annual rainfall is as little as {{convert|450|mm|in}}, with the result that the natural vegetation is [[grassland]] or low woodland rather than forest.

River red gum (''[[Eucalyptus camaldulensis]]'') is the dominant native tree on the low slopes and gullies, yellow gum (''[[Eucalyptus leucoxylon|E. leucoxylon]]'') grows widely throughout the low and middle slopes, and blue gum (''[[Eucalyptus pseudoglobulus|E. pseudoglobulus]]'') grows on the rugged upper slopes. Other native trees in the park include red box (''[[Eucalyptus polyanthemos|E. polyanthemos]]''), grey box (''[[Eucalyptus microcarpa|E. microcarpa]]'') & yellow box (''[[Eucalyptus melliodora|E. melliodora]]''), manna gum (''[[Eucalyptus viminalis|E. viminalis]]''), red ironbark (''[[Eucalyptus tricarpa|E. tricarpa]]''), cherry ballart (''[[Exocarpos cupressiformis]]''), and silver and black wattle (''[[Acacia dealbata]]'' and ''[[Acacia mearnsii|A.mearnsii]]'').  Native low vegetation is sparse and dominated by grasses and saltbushes, with some scrubby areas of snowy mintbush (''[[Prostanthera nivea]]'') and drooping cassinia (''[[Cassinia arcuata]]'').

Many introduced plants occur in the You Yangs, some planted deliberately for forestry, including sugar gum (''[[Eucalyptus cladocalyx|E. cladocalyx]]''), swamp yate (''[[Eucalyptus occidentalis|E. occidentalis]]'') and brown mallet (''[[Eucalyptus astringens|E. astringens]]''), and others that have been introduced accidentally or have invaded the area, for example, [[Boneseed in Australia|boneseed]] (''[[Chrysanthemoides monilifera|Chyrsanthemoides monilifera]]'') and bridal creeper (''[[Asparagus asparagoides]]'').

The You Yangs are home to more than 200 bird species such as [[tawny frogmouth]]s, [[white-naped honeyeater|white-naped]], [[white-plumed honeyeater|white-plumed]], [[New Holland honeyeater|New Holland]] and [[brown-headed honeyeater]]s, [[laughing kookaburra|kookaburras]], [[white-winged chough]]s, [[crested shriketit]]s, [[eastern rosella]]s, [[crimson rosella]]s, [[purple-crowned lorikeet]]s, [[sulphur-crested cockatoo]]s, [[eastern yellow robin]]s, [[jacky winter]]s and [[scarlet robin]]s.<ref>{{cite web|title=You Yangs Regional Park|url=http://www.birdlifemelbourne.org.au/birdingsites/you-yangs-birding.html|website=BirdLife Melbourne|access-date=2017-09-11}}</ref>

Mammals living in the park include [[eastern grey kangaroo]]s, [[echidna]]s, [[swamp wallaby|swamp wallabies]], [[sugar glider]]s, [[brushtail possum|brushtail]] and [[common ringtail possum|ringtail possum]]s, and [[koala]]s.

Koalas in the You Yangs have been studied since 2006. In approximately 28% of the Park they are monitored by a non-intrusive system of nose pattern identification.  The entire population was considered to number around 105 in 2017, down 35% from estimated 161 in 2007. The population has been recorded to prefer to roost in river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis): 34% of sightings occur in that species. Four generations of one koala family have been recorded.<ref>{{cite web|title=Koala Research|url=https://koalaclancyfoundation.org.au/research/koala-research|publisher=Koala Clancy Foundation|access-date=2017-09-11}}</ref>

The nearby [[Serendip Sanctuary]], a Victorian government wildlife research centre, open to the public, has been involved in breeding endangered Victorian wildlife species, such as the [[Australian bustard]] and the [[brolga]] (''Antigone rubicundus'').<ref>{{cite web|title=Serendip Sanctuary: Environment|url=http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/serendip-wetlands-education-facility/environment|publisher=Park Victoria|access-date=2017-09-11}}</ref>

== Outdoor activities ==
The foothills to the north of the peaks are home to [[Ford Australia]]'s [[You Yangs Proving Ground]]<ref>[http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=4591&vf=1 In search of Adventra - drive.com.au]</ref><ref>[http://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/falcon_the_story_05.htm The Ford Falcon Story: The XP Falcon]</ref> and the [[Sporting Shooters' Association of Australia]]'s Eagle Park [[shooting range]]. There is also a [[paintball]] facility next to the SSAA range that is open to both adults and young people.

[[Camping]] is not permitted in the You Yangs, although [[picnic]]s are allowed. [[Hiking]] is popular, and the Mountain to Mouth (M~M) event is a bi-annual two-day {{cvt|80|km}} art walk starting from the You Yangs and heading for the [[Barwon River (Victoria)|Barwon River]] [[river mouth|mouth]] in Geelong, celebrating the contemporary song lines of the [[Wadawurrung people]] and recognising their land and traditions. Autumn and winter are also considered the perfect [[mountain biking]] and [[horse riding]] conditions, because the increased rainfall makes the trails less dusty and the soil firmer, making it more suitable for riding.

The You Yangs is home to a free 5&nbsp;km [[parkrun]] event. You Yangs parkrun<ref>{{Cite web |title=You Yangs parkrun |url=https://www.parkrun.com.au/youyangs/ |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=www.parkrun.com.au |language=en-US}}</ref> starts at 8am every Saturday near the Kurrajong Plantation car park. Permanent signage marks the 5&nbsp;km loop course for use at any time.

==See also==
{{stack|{{Portal|Australia|Mountains}}}}
*{{section link|List of mountains in Australia|Victoria}}

== References ==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080729064927/http://museumvictoria.com.au/DiscoveryCentre/Infosheets/The-You-Yangs/ Information Sheet - The You Yangs], Museum Victoria. Retrieved 11 September 2009.
{{reflist}}

{{Victorian mountains |state=autocollapse}}

[[Category:Geography of Geelong]]
[[Category:Mountains of Victoria (state)]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Geelong]]
[[Category:Mountains of Barwon South West (region)]]