Camp Fire Creek Grinding Grooves

Australia, NSW, Western Sydney & Blue Mountains
Blue Mountains National Park
Dharug, Gundungara Aboriginal Land

Summary: Over 40 Aboriginal axe grinding grooves in the bedrock of Camp Fire Creek, along the Red Hand Cave Circuit in the lower Blue Mountains.

Site type: Axe Grinding Groove (AGG)
Quality: 4.5/5
Condition of site: Good
Year first recorded: 1980
Bushwalking trail: https://hikingtheworld.blog/aboriginal-trails/red-hands-cave-circuit/

Although not a signposted site, this extensive set of axe grinding grooves along Campfire Creek is right next to the Red Hands Cave Circuit walking track.

1X3A1033 LR Camp Fire Creek Grinding Grooves

Scattered across the large sandstone bed of Camp Fire Creek are at least 40 grooves, formed by the Aboriginal people sharpening axes or forming axe blanks.

1X3A1025 LR Camp Fire Creek Grinding Grooves

1X3A1027 LR Camp Fire Creek Grinding Grooves

1X3A1046 LR Camp Fire Creek Grinding Grooves

The grinding gooves are mostly found around the potholes in the sandstones.

1X3A1030 LR Camp Fire Creek Grinding Grooves

1X3A1031 LR Camp Fire Creek Grinding Grooves

A large set is along the edge of the sandstone creek bed, with some of the grooves partially submerged.

1X3A1038 LR Camp Fire Creek Grinding Grooves

1X3A1039 LR Camp Fire Creek Grinding Grooves

1X3A1041 LR Camp Fire Creek Grinding Grooves

Along a tributary of Camp Fire Creek is another set of three axe grinding grooves.

1X3A1049 LR Camp Fire Creek Grinding Grooves

1X3A1048 LR Camp Fire Creek Grinding Grooves

Further along this same tributary is what appears to be a single grinding groove, which is submerged.

1X3A1059 LR Camp Fire Creek Grinding Grooves

1X3A1057 LR Camp Fire Creek Grinding Grooves

Getting to the Camp Fire Creek Grinding Grooves

The grinding grooves are almost exactly halfway along the Red Hands Cave Circuit, a 4km loop from the end of the Red Hands Firetrail. Look for a large sandstone platform along the creek.