The Wullumba Rock Art Site is one of two Aboriginal rock art sites in the Chillagoe are that is publicly accessible. The art is protected by a boardwalk and fencing, although vandalism has occurred in the past. Interpretative signage provides very basic information on the site:
Rock art was continually over-painted. the last painting of this site was probably about 100 years ago. Natural weathering has caused deterioration. Animals and visitors have caused further damage by touching the images and raising dust.
Aboriginal rock paintings are not “art”. They were a way of communicating ideas – although the meaning of these images has since been lost. Ochres and clays were mixed with water to create red and white colours.
The high limestone outcrop contains a number of motifs, in red and white.
There are also a number of narrow but deep vertical grooves in the rock.
Indirect dating methods and radiocarbon analysis applied to the rock paintings suggest that most Chillagoe rock paintings are relatively young – less than 3500 years old.
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