‘Guardian of the freeway’: Name the mysterious billy goat that’s taken social media by storm

Sightings of a “majestic beast” in the Hills have caused a stir online – but he has no name. What do you think the goat should be called? Vote in our poll.

A lone goat who gazes upon the highway traffic from his lofty home on a hill in the middle of the South Eastern Freeway has attracted the fanfare of travellers from all around the state. Picture: Facebook

A lone goat who gazes upon the busy highway traffic from his lofty home on a hill in the middle of the South Eastern Freeway has attracted the fanfare of travellers from all around the state.

He’s been dubbed the Big Dipper Billy Goat – but we think he deserves a proper name – and we’re not kidding.

You can cast your vote in the poll below or send us you suggestions via the comments box.

Sightings of the “beautiful” and “massive” goat on the hill between the eastbound and westbound lanes of the busy dual-lane freeway between Callington and Mount Barker have become popular on a Facebook group started in the goat’s honour.

Some people are still nonbelievers, with regular travellers claiming tales of a goat as “nonsense” and calling the existence of the goat a myth.

Perhaps they are just disappointed; after all, fans describe sightings as “majestic” likening it to a “near-religious experience”.

Mount Barker resident Jeffery O’Connell said he was moved to create an online group to spread the love of the creature he calls the “overlord and king of the Big Dipper hill”.

He too was a sceptic until his first sighting during his daily commute past the hill.

“(Billy) looks even more menacing up close, like a goat God,” he said.

Fans have revelled in the online community with those like Sam Rasheed sharing sighting tales.

“As far as I know he has been there for many years as I have been seeing him for five plus years though no-one ever believed me,” he said.

“I must admit, after lack of a second sighting since early 2022 I began to question the sheer reality of the first significant sighting and whether I had dreamt about witnessing the great specimen all that time ago.

“But tonight changed my outlook on life as we were graced with a once in a lifetime sighting on the grassy knoll between the two hills.

“Thank you Big Dipper Billy for letting my eyes drift past your multi coloured chest, you are truly beautiful.”

As for how the goat got there, a neighbouring landowner of 15 years, Jason Grech, has a theory.

“I think he’s an escapee from a neighbouring farm that had goats,” he said.

However, adding to the intrigue, the man closest than most has not encountered Billy.

“I have heard of sightings for six or seven years, I personally have never seen him,” he said.

The Facebook group has attracted nearly 1000 followers, who share daily sighting photos.