There are many Aboriginal engraving sites across the inner suburbs of Sydney and around Sydney Harbour – although the sites are now isolated from their natural environment. Fewer sites have survived in Sydney’s south, due to development and erosion from weather and foot traffic.
An engraving of a whale around six metres in length, within the tail of which there is faded, but just-visible man.
- Number of motifs: 3
- Quality: 2/5
- Condition of art: Good
- Year first recorded: 1898
- Originally recorded by: W.D. Campbell, F.D. McCarthy
- View site sketch
An Aboriginal engraving of a turtle at Ben Buckler Point - the only remaining figure from a small site which had five carvings.
- Number of motifs: 5
- Quality: 4/5
- Condition of art: Good, Partially Destroyed, Re-grooved
- Year first recorded: 1898
- Originally recorded by: W.D. Campbell, F.D. McCarthy
- View site sketch
A small but sigificant Aboriginal engraving site in Bondi, these engravings are located within the Bondi Golf Course. Controversial re-grooving of the site in the 196os means that most of the engravings are still very distinct.
- Number of motifs: 66
- Quality: 5/5
- Condition of art: Good, Re-grooved
- Year first recorded: 1888
- Originally recorded by: W.D. Campbell, F.D. McCarthy
- View site sketch
Located along the popular Spit to Manly bushwalk, the Grotto Point Aboriginal Site included boomerangs, fish, sharks and a large kangaroo. The engravings are about 1,000 years old and have interpretative signage.
- Number of motifs: 17
- Quality: 4/5
- Condition of art: Good
- Year first recorded: 1898
- Originally recorded by: W.D. Campbell, F.D. McCarthy
- View site sketch
A significant, signposted Aboriginal engraving site in the Royal National Park, the Jibbon Head Engravings are a short walk from Bundeena. The carvings can be seen from an elevated boardwalk with interpretive signage.
- Number of motifs: 11
- Quality: 4/5
- Condition of art: Good
- Year first recorded: 1904
A very weathered engraving of a whale and its calf, on the headland at La Perouse.
- Number of motifs: 3
- Quality: 1/5
- Condition of art: Partially Destroyed, Weathered
- Year first recorded: 1898
- Originally recorded by: W.D. Campbell, R.H. Mathews
- View site sketch