Omari Gates
The Australian version of Bigfoot is known as the Yowie, a legendary beast similar to the North American Sasquatch. Legends of the Yowie originate from Aboriginal oral history and are believed to be ancient. The Yowie is described as a bipedal, hairy, ape-like creature, standing between 6 feet 11 inches and 12 feet tall. It is said to inhabit the Outback and is the subject of numerous sightings and reports, with some people insisting on its existence. While evidence is scarce, the Yowie has captured the imagination of many, inspiring books, artwork, and investigations into its potential existence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Yowie |
| Description | Monstrous, bipedal, hairy, ape-like creature |
| Height | Between 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in) and 3.6 m (12 ft) |
| Nicknames | Yahoo, Yahoo-Devil Devil, hairy man, hairy man of the wood, Australian ape, Australian gorilla, Sasquatch, Australian Bigfoot |
| Related Creatures | North American Bigfoot, Sasquatch, Littlefoot, Yeti, Skunk Ape |
| Expert | Rex Gilroy |
| Expert Opinion | Related to the North American Bigfoot |
| Earliest Sighting | 1789 |
| Recent Sightings | 2016, 2017, 2021 |
| Books | The Yowie: In Search of Australia's Bigfoot by Tony Healy and Paul Cropper |
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What You'll Learn
Yowie is the Australian version of Bigfoot
The Yowie is also one of several names for an Australian folklore entity, with origins in Aboriginal oral history. In parts of Queensland, it is known as a Quinkin, and in parts of New South Wales, it is referred to by various names, including Ghindaring, Jurrawarra, Myngawin, and Doolaga. Legends of Yowie-type creatures appear in Aboriginal Australian legends, particularly in the eastern Australian states.
The Yowie is typically described as a bipedal, hairy, and ape-like creature, standing upright at between 2.1 metres and 3.6 metres. Reports of Yowie footprints describe them as significantly larger than a human's, but alleged Yowie tracks are inconsistent in shape and toe number. Hundreds of people have reported sightings of the Yowie in recent years, with one man capturing what he believes to be the mysterious creature on film in 2000.
The Yowie is also the subject of a book, "The Yowie: In Search of Australia's Bigfoot" by Tony Healy and Paul Cropper. The book compiles a large collection of Yowie reports from first-hand interviews and print media, covering creature reports from the early days of Australian settlement to the present day.
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Yowie is also known as the Yahoo, hairy man, or Australian ape
The Yowie, also known as Yahoo, hairy man, or Australian ape, is a creature of Australian folklore. It is said to be a giant, ape-like creature with black hair and reddish fur around its throat and chest. Standing at 2.1 to 3.6 metres tall, it is believed to live in the Outback. The Yowie is also referred to as the Australian Bigfoot, resembling the North American Sasquatch.
The name "Yowie" was first documented in 1875 among the Gamilaraay people, described as a spirit roaming the earth at night. The term is believed to have originated from Aboriginal legends of the "Yahoo", which was described as an ancient race that inhabited Australia and was said to be fast runners. Nineteenth-century European accounts also refer to the creature as the "Yahoo".
The Yowie is believed to have been first sighted as early as 1795, with accounts of "Indigenous Apes" appearing in the Australian Town and Country Journal in the 1850s. In 1882, amateur naturalist Henry James McCooey claimed to have seen a Yowie, describing it as tailless, covered in long black hair, with reddish fur on its throat and chest, and standing at nearly five feet tall.
Yowie sightings continue to be reported, with hundreds of people claiming to have seen the creature in recent years. These sightings often describe a large, hairy hominid, similar to those found in the myths and folklore of other cultures. Despite the numerous sightings and eyewitness accounts, some researchers believe that the Yowie is a hoax due to the lack of physical evidence such as bones or tracks.
The Yowie has become a popular subject in Australian culture, with books, vintage-style posters, and even a YouTube video dedicated to the mysterious creature.
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Legends of the Yowie appear in Aboriginal Australian legends
The Yowie is a legendary creature in Australian folklore, often described as a large, apelike creature that resides in the country's wilderness. The legend of the Yowie bears strong similarities to that of Bigfoot or Sasquatch in North American folklore. However, the Yowie has been a part of Aboriginal Australian culture and mythology for thousands of years.
Aboriginal Australian legends are rich with stories of the Yowie, often depicting them as spiritual beings that inhabit remote forests, mountains, and other natural areas. In these legends, the Yowie is typically described as a powerful and sometimes dangerous creature, possessing immense strength and a deep connection to the natural world. They are often associated with mystical powers and are believed to have the ability to appear and disappear at will, making them elusive and mysterious beings.
One of the most famous Aboriginal legends involving the Yowie is the story of the Bunyip, a creature that is said to inhabit waterways and billabongs (oxbow lakes). The Bunyip is described as having a similar appearance to the Yowie, with apelike features, thick fur, and a formidable stature. In some stories, the Bunyip is believed to be a mischievous and sometimes dangerous creature, luring people into the water or preying on those who venture too close to its habitat. The Bunyip is often depicted as having a deep connection to the Dreamtime, the sacred era in Aboriginal mythology when the world was created and shaped.
Another legend tells of the Yowie being the guardians of the land, protecting sacred sites and natural resources. In these stories, they are depicted as wise and noble creatures, possessing a deep understanding of the environment and acting as protectors of the natural balance. Aboriginal dreamtime stories often feature the Yowie as cultural heroes, imparting knowledge and wisdom to the ancestors of the Aboriginal people.
The Yowie is also sometimes associated with shape-shifting abilities in Aboriginal legends. In some stories, they are described as having the power to transform into other creatures, such as giant birds or reptiles, or even assuming human form. This shape-shifting ability adds another layer of mystery and intrigue to the legends of the Yowie, reflecting the complex and multifaceted nature of Aboriginal mythology.
The legends of the Yowie are deeply ingrained in Aboriginal Australian culture and continue to fascinate people worldwide. While the existence of the Yowie remains a subject of debate, their presence in Aboriginal folklore underscores the rich storytelling traditions and deep connection to the natural world that are inherent in Aboriginal culture.
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Yowie is described as a bipedal, hairy, and ape-like creature
The Yowie is the Australian version of Bigfoot. Legends of Yowie-type creatures appear in Aboriginal Australian legends, particularly in the eastern Australian states. The Yowie is typically described as a bipedal, hairy, and ape-like creature, standing upright and towering over the average human at between 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in) and 3.6 m (12 ft).
The exact origin of the name "Yowie" in reference to Australian hominid legends is uncertain. The term was documented in 1875 among the Gamilaraay people by Rev. William Ridley in Kámilarói and Other Australian Languages, where "Yō-wī" was described as a spirit that roams the earth at night. Some researchers suggest that the term arose through Aboriginal legends of the "Yahoo". Nineteenth-century European accounts describe the creature and deem it the Yahoo, specifically the entry of Robert Holden, who described it saying, "The natives of Australia... believe in... [the] Yahoo."
In parts of Queensland, it is known as a Quinkin (or as a type of Quinkin), and as joogabinna. In parts of New South Wales, it is referred to by various names, including Ghindaring, Jurrawarra, Myngawin, Puttikan, Doolaga, Gulaga, and Thoolagal. Other recorded names for similar entities include Noocoonah, Wawee, Pangkarlangu, Jimbra, and Tjangara.
Tales of large, hairy hominids are universal and timeless and are found in the myths and folklores of cultures across the world. The Kuku Yalanji Tribe of Tropical North Queensland, Australia, believes in the existence of this creature and claims to have coexisted with the Yowie for centuries. They have a long and detailed history of attacks from them in their legends.
Yowie sightings continue to this day. A seven-foot Yowie was allegedly spotted in 2016 by a bushwalker in the Darling Downs' mountain ranges near Toowoomba. The Ipswich Yowie may have made an appearance in a 2017 YouTube video filmed by a man who had only intended to capture footage of a large flock of cockatoos.
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Yowie sightings continue to this day
The Yowie is a mythical creature in Australian folklore, often described as a large, hairy, ape-like creature that dwells in the country's vast wilderness. It is said to be a reclusive and shy creature, with a strong sense of smell and incredible speed, and is usually reported to be between 7 and 10 feet tall. Similar to the Bigfoot or Sasquatch in North American folklore, the Yowie has been a part of Australian indigenous stories for centuries, with various tribes having different names and variations of the creature in their cultural heritage.
Yowie sightings have been reported across Australia since the early 19th century, with some of the earliest accounts coming from Aboriginal Australians. These stories have persisted and evolved over time, with new sightings and reports continuing to emerge. The Yowie is often associated with remote and rugged terrain, including dense forests and mountain ranges, which adds to the mystery and intrigue surrounding the creature.
Over the years, there have been numerous reported sightings of the Yowie, with people claiming to have seen the creature in various parts of Australia. These reports often include detailed descriptions of the Yowie's appearance and behavior, with some people even claiming to have had face-to-face encounters. While there is no concrete evidence to prove the existence of the Yowie, the sheer number of sightings and the consistency of the descriptions suggest that there may be some truth to the folklore.
Even today, Yowie sightings continue to captivate and intrigue Australians and enthusiasts worldwide. In 2022, for instance, a man from Victoria claimed to have seen a Yowie near his home, describing it as a large, hairy creature that stood over 7 feet tall and emitted a putrid smell. He reported that the Yowie stared at him for several seconds before turning and disappearing into the bush.
Another recent sighting occurred in 2021, where a couple camping in a national park in New South Wales reported seeing a large, bipedal creature walking through the bushland. They described the creature as having long arms that hung below its knees and thick, dark hair covering its body. The couple was convinced that they had seen a Yowie, as the creature matched the descriptions they had heard in local folklore.
These recent sightings add to the growing body of reports and stories about the Yowie, keeping the legend alive and sparking ongoing curiosity and exploration into the mystery of Australia's version of Bigfoot.
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Frequently asked questions
The Australian version of Bigfoot is called the Yowie.
The Yowie is described as a bipedal, hairy, and ape-like creature, standing upright between 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in) and 3.6 m (12 ft) tall. It is also said to have small, restless eyes that are partially obscured by matted hair.
The exact origin of the name "Yowie" is uncertain. The term was documented in 1875 among the Gamilaraay people, where it was described as a spirit that roams the earth at night. Some researchers suggest that the term arose through Aboriginal legends of the "Yahoo".
