Cottage Rock Stalactite Shelter

Summary: A large occupation and rock art shelter near Cottage Rock at West Head, with a single hand stencil.

  • Site type: Stencil - Hand
  • Number of motifs: 1
  • Motif/s: Hand
  • Quality: 2/5
  • Condition of site: Good
  • Year first recorded: 2019

This very long and deep shelter is notable for several large stalactites and stalacmites, which are formed from secondary mineral deposits like common opal, limonite or alunite seeping through the sandstone.

1X3A9772 LR Cottage Rock Stalactite Shelter

On the ceiling is single hand stencil.

1X3A9770 LR Cottage Rock Stalactite Shelter

The large flat and sandy floor and midden deposit suggest that this may have also been an Aboriginal occupation shelter.

1X3A9774 LR Cottage Rock Stalactite Shelter

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