McPherson Corroborree Shelter

Summary: The Corroborree Shelter in the McPherson State Forest has over 100 motifs, including a row of 13 human figures with upraised arms.

  • Site type: Cave Painting, Stencil - Hand
  • Number of motifs: 132
  • Motif/s: Anthropomorph, Bird, Boomerang, Hand, Kangaroo, Man, Shield, Snake, Starburst, Woman
  • Quality: 4.5/5
  • Condition of site: Good
  • Year first recorded: 1988

One of a cluster of four shelters within the McPherson State Forest, the Corroborree Shelter has Aboriginal drawings and stencils across two alcoves.

AWAT5633 LR McPherson Corroborree Shelter

Over one hundred motifs have been documented, although about half are of indeterminate figures. The largest alcove has five panels of art, with the most prominent being a row of 13 humans in charcoal…

AWAT5682 LR McPherson Corroborree Shelter

…and a number of animals in red ochre.

AWAT5682 LR yre McPherson Corroborree Shelter

The humans (male and female) are drawn in charcoal, and they all have upraised arms.

AWAT5674 LR McPherson Corroborree Shelter

Superimposed on the human figures is the outline of a wombat, in red ochre.

AWAT5679 LR McPherson Corroborree ShelterAWAT5679 LR yre McPherson Corroborree Shelter

Below these figures is a stencil of a hand (in white) and a white ray or sunburst.

AWAT5642 LR McPherson Corroborree Shelter
AWAT5644 LR McPherson Corroborree Shelter

Around the main panel are some additional panels with macropod paintings

AWAT5667 LR McPherson Corroborree Shelter
AWAT5665 LR McPherson Corroborree Shelter

Another (juvenile) hand stencil is in yellow, with a red ochre figure.

AWAT5692 LR McPherson Corroborree ShelterAWAT5692 LR yre McPherson Corroborree Shelter

A second, smaller alcove has three macropods in black outline – and another superimposed red ochre figure of a bird.

AWAT5658 LR McPherson Corroborree ShelterAWAT5658 LR yrd McPherson Corroborree Shelter
AWAT5650 LR McPherson Corroborree Shelter
AWAT5655 LR McPherson Corroborree Shelter
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2 Comments

Nate · February 3, 2022 at 9:46 pm

I love this one. Visited it myself in mid 2020. Wasn’t easy to find, but well worth it. I was up at McPherson the other day but only just came across your blog just now. Might have to seek out the crane ridge trail shelter next time I’m up there. Love your work!

Reply

    oliverd :-) · February 3, 2022 at 9:49 pm

    Thanks Nate. McPherson has become one of my favourite bushwalking areas around Sydney – so much history, and relatively easy off-track walking!

    Reply

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