The first of the Australian Standing Stones was raised on 7 September 1991, and the full array of 38 stones was completed in the following months. The monument was officially inaugurated on 1 February 1992. Each stone is made from local granite—three naturally occurring boulders and the rest quarried—with one-third of their height anchored below ground.
The very first stone, the Alexander Stone, stands at the entrance to the Winter Solstice Sunrise Avenue. It is named after Peter Alexander, then Convenor of the Celtic Council of Australia, whose vision of a national monument honouring Australia’s Celtic heritage—sparked by the 1988 Bicentenary—was realised here in Glen Innes Highlands.
The three natural stones hold special places in the array:
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Alexander Stone – at the Winter Solstice Sunrise entrance.
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Australis Stone – a golden boulder at the centre, lit by the midwinter sunrise.
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South Stone – forms the base of a Celtic Cross with the four cardinal point stones and surrounding circle.
When the Alexander Stone was raised, its base was blessed with flowers from each Celtic nation, sprigs of Rowan and Wattle, and a traditional whisky libation.
You can discover the full story in History of the Australian Standing Stones, available at Crofters Cottage, the Glen Innes Highlands Visitor Information Centre (Church Street), and the Glen Innes & District Historical Society’s History House (corner West Avenue & Ferguson Street).
🌿 This Weekend
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Celebrate Father’s Day on Sunday and greet the Alexander Stone while exploring the monument.
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That evening, watch the Equinox Full Moon rise in line with the East Stone, paired with a stunning sunset between 5–6 pm.
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For night owls, a total lunar eclipse will be visible from 3:30–5 am Monday, with the Full Moon setting behind the West Stone around 6 am.
