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 interesting Aboriginal engraving site which has 14 figures, including a marine creature (which could be a shark), a snake and an indeterminate animal. It's one of a series of eleven sites documented by Ian Sim near the Lyre Trig.
Two very weathered wallabies near the Lyre Trig Firetrail.
An interesting Aboriginal engraving site below Lyre Trig in Kariong; most figures are very weathered or have been buried by soil and vegetation.
An Aboriginal engraving of a single wallaby, which is fairly weathed; it's one of a series of eleven sites documented by Ian Sim near the Lyre Trig.
An Aboriginal engraving of a kangaroo; one of a series of ten sites documented by Ian Sim near the Milyerra Trail
An Aboriginal engraving site of a man with upstretched arms near the Milyerra Road Firetrail.
A very weathered Aboriginal engraving of a man, on a sloping rock. It is one of a series of ten sites near the Milyerra Trail documented by Ian Sim.
A rock ledge with multiple Aboriginal engravings, axe grinding grooves and a waterhole near the Milyerra Trail
An Aboriginal engraving site near the Milyerra Road Firetrail, which has two fish.
A small Aboriginal engraving site with two kangaroos, three fish, an eel and a shield, which is part of a series of ten sites documented by Ian Sim near the Milyerra Trail.
Aboriginal engravings of a kangaroo, head of a kangaroo and shield on scattered rock surfaces; they are part of a series of ten sites documented by Ian Sim near the Milyerra Trail
A large rock platform near the Milyerra Trail, with engravings of a 40' whale and 10' kangaroo.
Traversed by the Milyerra Road Fire Trail, a large, tesselated rock platform contains a number of weathered engravings
Three unusual motifs at an Aboriginal engraving site above the Milyerra Trail. They include a large turtle and two figures with head-dresses.
An Aboriginal engraving of a large kangaroo near the Milyerra Trail.