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.

Two adjoining rock platforms to the west of Mount Leochares which have weathered Aboriginal engravings, including a stingray and an indeterminate figure.
A large, tesselated rock platform below Leochares Peak which has an Aboriginal engraving of a kangaroo.
A sloping rock platform to the south of Leochares Peak which has an Aboriginal engraving of a koala (deity) and kangaroo.
An Aboriginal engraving site near Leochares Peak along the Great North Walk which includes overlapping kangaroos, two men and what may be a basket.
A line of three fish and several other very weathered Aboriginal engravings to the west of Mount Leochares.
An interesting Aboriginal engraving site near Lyre Trig in Kariong; it depicts what appears to be a copulating couple.
An Aboriginal engraving of a man and a "composite emu spirit figure"; it's one of a series of eleven sites documented by Ian Sim near the Lyre Trig.
An Aboriginal engraving of a single fish; one of a series of eleven sites documented by Ian Sim near the Lyre Trig.
A large Aboriginal engraving of a kangaroo near the Lyre Trig Track; possibly a mythological figure due to its size.
An Aboriginal engraving of a goanna or lizard near Lyre Trig
A single Aboriginal engraving of a man below Lyre Trig in Kariong, first documented by W.D. Campbell in 1899.
A very weathered and faint Aboriginal engraving of a man on top of Mount Lyre (next to Lyre Trig)
An Aboriginal engraving of a fish and an oval below Lyre Trig; it is one of a series of eleven sites documented by Ian Sim.
A small Aboriginal engraving site near the Lyre Trig in Kariong, which has a mundoe and a kangaroo.
A complex and likely significant Aboriginal engraving site below the Lyre Trig in Kariong. The site has over sixty figures and 10 axe grinding grooves.