Brisbane Water formed part of the traditional lands of the Guringai (or Kuring-gai) Aboriginal people, who fished in the rivers and lived on the surrounding land. There is debate as to whether the traditional lands of Darkinyung or Darkinung people extended to the coast (not to be confused with the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council, who are the self-appointed caretakers of the Central Coast area and do not claim to be the traditional owners of this area). There are many significant Aboriginal site around Brisbane Water, including Bulgandry, Daleys Point and Staples Lookout. This area has one of the highest densities of Aboriginal heritage sites around Sydney.
An intriguing Aboriginal engraving site near Alison's Cascades, which has two birds, a shark and a long line of mundoes.
- Number of motifs: 26
- Quality: 3.5/5
- Condition of art: Good
- Year first recorded: 1971
- Originally recorded by: Ian Sim
A small Aboriginal rock engraving site near the Bambara Trail, which includes a stingray and a fish
- Number of motifs: 3
- Quality: 1/5
- Condition of art: Weathered
- Year first recorded: 1999
- Originally recorded by: Warren Bluff
A significant site near Bulgandry in Kariong: "The whole group is particularly well drawn, and presents one of the best samples of this native art that the Writer has met with"
- Number of motifs: 60
- Quality: 4.5/5
- Condition of art: Good
- Year first recorded: 1898
- Originally recorded by: W.D. Campbell, F.D. McCarthy
- View site sketch
The Bulgandry Art Site Aboriginal Place is one of the most-visited engraving sites around Sydney. It's named after the prominent Bulgandry Man engraving.
- Number of motifs: 28
- Quality: 5/5
- Condition of art: Good
- Year first recorded: 1966
- Originally recorded by: F.D. McCarthy, Ian Sim
- View site sketch (main site)
Partly covered by silt, an Aboriginal engraving of a kangaroo is on a small outcrop with a view of Mount Wondabyne.
- Number of motifs: 1
- Quality: 2/5
- Condition of art: Good
- Year first recorded: 1966
- Originally recorded by: F.D. McCarthy, Ian Sim
- View site sketch
An interesting Aboriginal engraving site in the bed of Coorumbine Creek, first documented by Ian Sim in 1969 and depicting a whale and three men.
- Number of motifs: 6
- Quality: 2/5
- Condition of art: Good
- Year first recorded: 1969
- Originally recorded by: F.D. McCarthy, Ian Sim
- View site sketch
Two eels at a small Aboriginal engraving site which was first documented by Ian Sim in 1969. Nearby are some deep axe grinding gooves.
- Number of motifs: 5
- Quality: 3/5
- Condition of art: Good
- Year first recorded: 1969
- Originally recorded by: F.D. McCarthy, Ian Sim
- View site sketch
A complex and well-documented site on a rocky spur in Woy Woy, which is known for its "seven dancing rabbits"
- Number of motifs: 55
- Quality: 4/5
- Condition of art: Good
- Year first recorded: 1899
- Originally recorded by: W.D. Campbell, F.D. McCarthy, Ian Sim, Stanbury and Clegg
- View site sketch – Site Overview / Site 1 / Site 2 / Site 3 (Rabbits)
Two Aboriginal engravings on Elephant Rock near Patonga, including an intriguing carving of an ant, spider or "indeterminate bag-like object"...
- Number of motifs: 2
- Quality: 3.5/5
- Condition of art: Good
- Year first recorded: 1966
- Originally recorded by: F.D. McCarthy, Ian Sim
An Aboriginal engraving of a male figure on a long rock platform near Elephant Rock.
- Number of motifs: 1
- Quality: 2.5/5
- Condition of art: Good
- Year first recorded: 2018
- Originally recorded by: Ian Sim
The Girrakool Aboriginal site has a carving of a man located on a rock platform along the Girrakool Loop walking track.
- Number of motifs: 1
- Quality: 3/5
- Condition of art: Good
- Year first recorded: 1965
- Originally recorded by: Ian Sim
An Aboriginal engraving site above Green Point Creek near Pearl Beach, which has very weathered carvings.
- Number of motifs: 7
- Quality: 2/5
- Condition of art: Weathered
- Year first recorded: 1995
- Originally recorded by: Warren Bluff
Aboriginal red ochre and charcoal figures in a tall and long shelter near Woy Woy. An impressive site unfortunately damaged by graffiti.
- Number of motifs: 20
- Condition of art: Good, Graffiti damage
- Year first recorded: 1899
- Originally recorded by: W.D. Campbell
Shelter below Koolewong Ridge, which has Aboriginal charcoal art (indeterminate motifs) and a midden.
- Number of motifs: 3
- Quality: 3/5
- Condition of art: Good
- Year first recorded: 2019
Aboriginal cave art in a long shelter below the Koolewong Ridge Firetrail. There are over 30 ideterminate motifs in charcoal and ochre.
- Number of motifs: 23
- Quality: 1.5/5
- Condition of art: Good
- Year first recorded: 1985