Ourimbah Twin Red Men Shelter

Summary: An unusual Aboriginal rock art site in the Ourimbah State Forest, with two human figures in red ochre drawn inside a large boulder.

  • Site type: Cave Painting
  • Number of motifs: 3
  • Motif/s: Man, Snake
  • Quality: 2/5
  • Condition of site: Good
  • Year first recorded: 1975
  • Originally Recorded by: Bob Pankhurst

A large, isolated boulder along Prestons Ridge in Ourimbah State Forest is a somewhat unusual Aboriginal rock art site.

IMG 9704 LR Ourimbah Twin Red Men Shelter

The most obvious motif on the wall of the shelter is a small figure with outstretches arms.

IMG 9705 LR Ourimbah Twin Red Men Shelter

There are in actually two slightly overlapping human figures. The larger one has a slightly elongated head, reminiscent of the koradji (“medicine man”) figures which can be found in other shelters in the area.

IMG 9712 LR Ourimbah Twin Red Men Shelter
IMG 9712 LR yre Ourimbah Twin Red Men Shelter

A long, snake-like figure drawn in charcoal is very weathered.

IMG 9709 LR Ourimbah Twin Red Men Shelter
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