Lyre Trig Wallabies and Eels

Summary: An interesting Aboriginal engraving site below Lyre Trig in Kariong; most figures are very weathered or have been buried by soil and vegetation.

  • Site type: Rock engraving
  • Number of motifs: 14
  • Motif/s: Circle, Eel, Emu, Fish, Kangaroo, Stingray
  • Condition of site: Weathered
  • View site sketch
  • Year first recorded: 1899
  • Originally Recorded by: W.D. Campbell, F.D. McCarthy, Bob Pankhurst
  • Campbell Reference: PATONGA Plate 25 Fig 2 in Aboriginal Carving of Port Jackon and Broken Bay (Download)
  • McCarthy reference: PATONGA Group 172 in Catalogue of Rock Engravings (1983)

This scattered group of Aboriginal engravings is located on a ledge below the ridge that leads to Lyre Trig; it was first documented by W.D. Campbell in 1899 and later by Fred McCarthy. The figures consist of “four circles, a fish-like figure, and a small emu, two other circles are also a few feet away, the other figures are three wallabies, a skate, and two eels”.

Campbell Plate 25 Fig 2 Lyre Trig Wallabies and Eels

Most of the figures are now both weathered and covered by soil and vegetation. Bob Pankhurst recorded one of the wallabies and circular figures which are at one end of the group.

image 4 Lyre Trig Wallabies and Eels

A significant proportion of the wallaby has suffered from weathering and exfoliation, and the circles buried under 10cm of soil and vegetation.

1X3A6640 LR Lyre Trig Wallabies and Eels

The back section of another wallaby has also suffered from the rock breaking up; the first photo is from Bob Pankurst taken in 2005; the second in 2024 showing more extensive exfoliation.

image 5 Lyre Trig Wallabies and Eels
1X3A6648 LR Lyre Trig Wallabies and Eels

The two eels and a skate / stingray (photographed by Bob Pankhurst, below) are all deeply buried.

image 7 Lyre Trig Wallabies and Eels
image 6 Lyre Trig Wallabies and Eels
image 8 Lyre Trig Wallabies and Eels
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