North West Ridge Aboriginal Site in Bouddi National Park

Summary: A signposted rock engraving site in Bouddi National Park, the North West Ridge Aboriginal Site has four figures - but only a 4m orca is still visible.

  • Site type: Rock engraving
  • Number of motifs: 4
  • Motif/s: Dolphin, Stingray, Whale
  • Quality: 2/5
  • Condition of site: Weathered
  • Year first recorded: 1994
  • Originally Recorded by: Warren Bluff

One of only two signposted Aboriginal rock art sites in Bouddi National Park, the North West Ridge Aboriginal site was first documented by Warren Bluff in 1994. The engravings on the large sandstone platform are not in a great condition, with most of the figures badly weathered (not helped by people walking and riding mountain bikes across the rock).

The most distinct and least-damaged figure is that of an orca, at the bottom of the site, which is about four metres in length.

North West Ridge Aboriginal Site
North West Ridge Aboriginal Site

It’s best seen in the early morning or late afternoon, or when the rock is wet – when all of the orca’s shape is still visible.

1X3A6148 LR North West Ridge Aboriginal Site in Bouddi National Park1X3A6150 LR North West Ridge Aboriginal Site in Bouddi National Park

On the larger rock platform above the orca are a whale, dolphin and stingray. Only remnants of these figures can still be seen.

1X3A6161 LR North West Ridge Aboriginal Site in Bouddi National Park
1X3A6165 LR North West Ridge Aboriginal Site in Bouddi National Park
1X3A6159 LR North West Ridge Aboriginal Site in Bouddi National Park

Getting to the North West Ridge Aboriginal Site

The site is easily reached via the North West Ridge Trail, a firetrail from The Scenic Road. The trailhead is about a 15min drive (13km) from Woy Woy. There’s limited parking along the road, near the locked gate to the firetrail. It’s an easy 1.1km (one-way) bushwalk down to the signposted engraving site.

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