Where nature, culture and art collide

Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders in Australia have used art as an expression of cultural identity and connection to Country for more than 30,000 years. It is the longest living art form in the world and has been used as a tool to pass down knowledge to future generations. The connection between Aboriginal culture and nature is inseparable, which is why the best way to see Aboriginal rock art is in a NSW national park.

Experiencing Aboriginal culture in the great outdoors isn’t just about getting a great Insta photo or making a personal best along the trail. It’s a way to show respect to the traditional custodians of the land, and understand their cultural heritage, both past and present. So grab your hat, sunscreen and a day pack, and view these Aboriginal artworks the way they were meant to be seen: in nature.

Aboriginal rock art is made up of symbols, strokes and arrangements that are unique to the people who created them. There are hundreds of Aboriginal groups across Australia, so symbols are dynamic and differ between language groups, clans and artists. Often, the stories represent an oral history of the world and its creation, known as the Dreamtime. Want to learn more about the potential meaning of the rock art you see? Common Ground is a great place to start.

Bulgandry Art Site Aboriginal Place, Brisbane Water National Park Brisbane Water National Park, near Gosford on the Central Coast, has an abundance of Aboriginal rock art and engravings that are at least 200 years old (many are likely to be ten times that age). Bulgandry Art Site Aboriginal Place is named after a large engraving of a man thought to represent an ancestral hero, depicted with an impressive headdress. The engraving is unique to this area and also includes depictions of wallabies, fish, a dolphin, canoe and bird. There are also axe-grinding grooves nearby, which are evidence of stone tool sharpening.

As you wander through the site, you’ll gain an appreciation of the cultural traditions and lifestyles of Aboriginal people in the past and present, and their special relationship with the coastal environment. To reflect on your experience, head up to Staples lookout for dazzling views across Brisbane Water and Woy Woy Bay. If you’re up for a hike, set out on part of the Great North walk in Brisbane Water National Park, where you can immerse yourself in the landscape that has inspired generations of Aboriginal people living on this land.

The Glenbrook area in Blue Mountains National Park is only a 1-hour drive from Sydney, making it the perfect spot for a day trip. Nestled deep in the World Heritage-listed area is Red Hands Cave, which features red (red ochre), yellow (yellow ochre) and white (pipeclay or copi/gypsum) hand stencils that are said to be between 500 and 1,600 years old. The cave is significant to the local Aboriginal people and, according to Darug lore, is the home of Aboriginal ghosts that represent the children left there by the Great Spirit.

To get there, set out along Red Hands Cave walking track. You can either challenge yourself to the full 8km loop, or drive to the Red Hands carpark and enjoy the shorter 1km return walk. If you want to make the most of your visit, spend a night or two at nearby Euroka campground. It’s a popular camping spot near the Nepean River, close to mountain biking trails and bushwalks. Don’t miss the Tunnel View lookout, which offers sweeping views across the valley and beyond.

If an outback adventure is more your style, look no further than Mutawintji Historic Site in Mutawintji National Park, near Broken Hill. It boasts one of the best collections of Aboriginal rock art in NSW, set among the vibrant red peaks and gorges of the Bynguano Ranges. The best way to explore the Aboriginal rock engravings and ochre stencils is on a cultural tour. Your guide will share some Mutawintji Dreamtime stories and point out the remains of ancient fireplaces and toolmaking.

After a long day of exploring, set up your tent by the magnificent river red gums at Homestead Creek campground. There’s plenty of great walks nearby, including the Homestead Gorge walking track which features a number of Aboriginal rock engravings on the red cliffs that overhang the path. On the way back, Homestead Creek picnic area is a great spot to fuel up with a BBQ lunch and map out your next bushwalk or activity.

Before you head home, don’t forget to stop off at Gundabooka National Park near Bourke. It’s home to the Yapa (Mulgowan) Aboriginal Art site walking track, where you’ll find ancient Aboriginal rock art by the Ngemba People, depicting animals, dancers, hands and hunting tools. The walk follows the dry Mulareenya creek bed, ending at a protected walkway where you can view the rock art under the ledge. We won’t lie — it’s a fairly challenging walk — but definitely worth it.

Helping Aboriginal people maintain a strong physical and spiritual connection to the land is a really important part of what we do at NSW National Parks. By working closely with Aboriginal communities, we can help protect and manage these incredible rock art sites and preserve the natural environment that inspired them. 

These partnerships also help us discover areas that are home to significant art and cultural sites, so we can create new national parks around them. If you’re keen to see some Aboriginal rock art for yourself, start by taking an Aboriginal guided tour through a NSW national park. You’ll learn more about the world’s oldest continuous living culture, and why rock art is so important to the cultural heritage of Aboriginal people in Australia.