Ourimbah Creek Macropod Shelter

Summary: An Aboriginal rock art shelter above Ourimbah Creek with multiple motifs in charcoal and white and red ochre (including a large macropod).

  • Site type: Cave Painting
  • Number of motifs: 8
  • Motif/s: Anthropomorph, Indeterminate figure, Kangaroo, Man
  • Quality: 3.5/5
  • Condition of site: Good, Graffiti damage
  • Year first recorded: 1960
  • Originally Recorded by: Bob Pankhurst

One of a cluster of occupation and rock art shelters above Ourimbah Creek, this deep and picturesque cave contains a number of Aboriginal drawings.

IMG 1100 LR Ourimbah Creek Macropod Shelter
IMG 1117 LR Ourimbah Creek Macropod Shelter

The largest panel on the back wall of the deep shelter has multiple superimposed motifs in white and red ochre, as well as charcoal.

IMG 1103 LR Ourimbah Creek Macropod ShelterIMG 1103 LR lre Ourimbah Creek Macropod Shelter

A metre-high kangaroo or wallaby in white charcoal is the most prominent figure.

IMG 1108 LR Ourimbah Creek Macropod Shelter

Next to it is a more abstract anthropomorphic figure (Bob Pankhurst noted similar figures on the opposite side of the valley) in white ochre.

IMG 1111 LR Ourimbah Creek Macropod Shelter

Another figure described by Pankhurst as a “dancing man” is drawn in charcoal.

IMG 1112 LR Ourimbah Creek Macropod Shelter

There are more indeterminate figures drawn in charcoal, next to graffiti dating to the 1970s.

IMG 1114 LR Ourimbah Creek Macropod Shelter

A small macropod-like figure has an unusual style and is likely a European addition; this motif was not mentioned by Pankhurst.

IMG 1113 LR Ourimbah Creek Macropod Shelter
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