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.
A large number of axe grinding grooves, in and around the creek above Somersby Falls.
- Condition of art: Good
- Year first recorded: 1974
- Originally recorded by: Ian Sim
An rock platform above Tommos Loop, which has Aboriginal rock engravings of a man,canoe and emu.
- Number of motifs: 3
- Quality: 4/5
- Condition of art: Good
- Year first recorded: 1899
- Originally recorded by: W.D. Campbell, Bob Pankhurst
- View site sketch [partial]
This Aboriginal engraving site has multiple figures in the bed of a creek, including two unusual male figures and three eels
- Number of motifs: -3
- Quality: 3/5
- Condition of art: Weathered
- Year first recorded: 1966
- Originally recorded by: F.D. McCarthy, Ian Sim
An Aboriginal engraving of an enormous (but incomplete) whale and three kangaroos above Tommos Loop in Brisbane Water NP.
- Number of motifs: 6
- Quality: 2.5/5
- Condition of art: Weathered
- Year first recorded: 1899
- Originally recorded by: W.D. Campbell, F.D. McCarthy, Ian Sim
- View site sketch
An Aboriginal engraving site above Tommos Loop, which has a large marine creature and some smaller figures.
- Number of motifs: 5
- Quality: 2.5/5
- Condition of art: Weathered
- Year first recorded: 1993
- Originally recorded by: Warren Bluff, C. Douchkov
A small Aboriginal engraving site with a row of three fish near the Tommos Loop trail.
- Number of motifs: 4
- Quality: 3/5
- Condition of art: Good
- Year first recorded: 2018
- Originally recorded by: Bob Pankhurst
An Aboriginal engraving site next to the Tommos Loop track which has two circles; nearby is an axe grinding groove.
- Number of motifs: 2
- Quality: 2/5
- Condition of art: Good
- Year first recorded: 2019
- Originally recorded by: C. Douchkov
Very distinct Aboriginal engraving of a kangaroo above the Tunnel Firetrail.
- Number of motifs: 1
- Quality: 4/5
- Year first recorded: 1976
- Originally recorded by: Ian Sim
A small engraving of what may be a wombat, and axe grinding grooves, on a rock platform above the Tunnel Firetrail.
- Number of motifs: 1
- Quality: 2/5
- Condition of art: Good
- Year first recorded: 1899
- Originally recorded by: W.D. Campbell, F.D. McCarthy
- View site sketch
A shelter with Aboriginal rock art above the upper reaches of Mullet Creek, which has a number of motifs. As well as hand stencils, there are figures drawn in charcoal and red ochre.
- Number of motifs: 15
- Quality: 3.5/5
- Condition of art: Good
- Year first recorded: 2020
A weathered Aboriginal engraving on rock platform just off the Van Dahls Firetrail in Patonga.
- Number of motifs: 1
- Quality: 1/5
- Condition of art: Weathered
- Year first recorded: 2018
An Aboriginal engraving of a man with upstretched hands on a sloping rock platform; nearby are three mundoes and some unfinished figures.
- Number of motifs: 6
- Quality: 3/5
- Condition of art: Good
- Year first recorded: 1954
- Originally recorded by: F.D. McCarthy
- View site sketch
An Aboriginal engraving site with a small man, who has a curved line running from his ankle. It's part of the Warrah Sanctuary group.
- Number of motifs: 4
- Quality: 2/5
- Condition of art: Good
- Year first recorded: 1954
- Originally recorded by: F.D. McCarthy, Bob Pankhurst
An Aboriginal engraving of an enormous whale (8 metres in length) which appears to be blowing bubbles. The site is part of the Warrah Sanctuary group.
- Number of motifs: 14
- Quality: 4/5
- Condition of art: Good
- Year first recorded: 1954
- Originally recorded by: F.D. McCarthy
- View site sketch
A series of Aboriginal engraving sites along the cliff between Patonga and Warrah Lookout. Over 30 figures, which include a number of men, animals and bird tracks.
- Number of motifs: 39
- Quality: 3/5
- Condition of art: Good
- Year first recorded: 1954
- Originally recorded by: F.D. McCarthy, Ian Sim, Bob Pankhurst
- View site sketch