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 extensive group of engravings, the Mooney Mooney Aboriginal Area includes many kangaroos, two rainbow serpents and many other figures.
- Number of motifs: 45
- Quality: 5/5
- Condition of art: Good
- Year first recorded: 1976
- Originally recorded by: W.D. Campbell
- View site sketch [PDF]
Axe Grinding Grooves above the Corrumbine Creek Firetrail, in Brisbane Water National Park.
- Number of motifs: 6
- Quality: 2/5
- Condition of art: Good
- Year first recorded: 1995
- Originally recorded by: Ian Sim, Warren Bluff
A Daramulan figure on a spur off Mt Kariong; it's the last of five Aboriginal engraving sites documented by Ian Sim.
- Number of motifs: 1
- Quality: 2.5/5
- Condition of art: Good
- Year first recorded: 1966
- Originally recorded by: F.D. McCarthy, Ian Sim, Bob Pankhurst
- View site sketch
An Aboriginal engraving site on a spur off Mt Kariong with a very unusual one-legged man (as well as a second man and koala).
- Number of motifs: 3
- Quality: 1.5/5
- Condition of art: Good, Weathered
- Year first recorded: 1966
- Originally recorded by: F.D. McCarthy, Ian Sim, Bob Pankhurst
- View site sketch
Shallow shelter on a ridge off Mount Kariong, which has a number of Aboriginal charcoal paintings.
- Number of motifs: 15
- Quality: 3.5/5
- Condition of art: Good
- Year first recorded: 1999
A complex Aboriginal engraving site on a spur off Mt Kariong; it includes four men in a row, fish, kangaroos and a dingo.
- Number of motifs: 17
- Quality: 3/5
- Condition of art: Good, Weathered
- Year first recorded: 1966
- Originally recorded by: F.D. McCarthy, Ian Sim, Bob Pankhurst
- View site sketch
An Aboriginal engraving site with a single fish, in thick scrub near the Tunnel Trail.
- Number of motifs: 1
- Quality: 3/5
- Condition of art: Good
- Year first recorded: 1973
- Originally recorded by: Ian Sim
An Aboriginal engraving of half a man, who has been speared in the foot. It's on a small rock platform above Mullet Creek.
- Number of motifs: 2
- Quality: 3.5/5
- Condition of art: Good
- Year first recorded: 1899
- Originally recorded by: W.D. Campbell, F.D. McCarthy, Ian Sim
- View site sketch
An Aboriginal engraving site along a small creek above the Tunnel Trail, which has multiple figures and some axe grinding grooves.
- Number of motifs: 1
- Quality: 3/5
- Condition of art: Good
- Year first recorded: 1973
An Aboriginal engraving of an indeterminate figure, above Patonga Drive and near a large whale engraving.
- Number of motifs: 1
- Quality: 3/5
- Condition of art: Good
- Year first recorded: 2019
- View site sketch
Next to a waterhole is a single Aboriginal engraving of a man, described as a Ghindarring or "hairy man" figure. Two kangaroos are nearby.
- Number of motifs: 1
- Quality: 3/5
- Year first recorded: 1975
- Originally recorded by: Ian Sim, Bob Pankhurst
A large rock platform in Kariong on the Central Coast which has three speared animals as well as multiple engraved circles, mundoes and grinding grooves.
- Number of motifs: 10
- Quality: 4/5
- Condition of art: Good, Weathered
- Year first recorded: 1976
- Originally recorded by: Ian Sim, Warren Bluff, Bob Pankhurst
Weathered and damaged by mountain bikes, the lower half of a man is just above the Rocky Ponds Firetrail.
- Number of motifs: 1
- Quality: 1/5
- Condition of art: Weathered
- Year first recorded: 1976
An Aboriginal engraving of a kangaroo on a small rock platform near Scout Camp Road.
- Number of motifs: 1
- Quality: 3.5/5
- Condition of art: Good
- Year first recorded: 1976
- Originally recorded by: Ian Sim
A lesser-known site featuring seven shields, located below the "Seven Rabbits" (Woy Woy) site
- Number of motifs: 10
- Quality: 3/5
- Condition of art: Good
- Year first recorded: 1966
- Originally recorded by: F.D. McCarthy, Ian Sim
- View site sketch