Mount Grenfell Historic Site

Mount Grenfell Historic Site provides an outstanding opportunity to get a glimpse of the long history of Aboriginal people in the area. The semi-permanent waterhole in this very arid region provided an ideal meeting place for local Aboriginal groups. The adjacent rock ridge offered natural shelter and here, among the outcrops, you can see some magnificent examples of rock paintings.

The paintings, which are of ceremonial significance and help to maintain the traditions and myths of local Aboriginal people, were made by dabbing wet pigment with a finger tip or with a simple brush. Ochres and white pipeclay were applied thickly and allowed to dry. In some places later paintings have been superimposed, creating layers of multicoloured panels.

In addition to linear paintings and designs there are human figures and birds such as emus, which are easily recognisable, mammals and reptiles, and intriguing stick figures. There are also examples of hand stencils, made by blowing mouthfuls of pigment over a hand held against the rock face. The land and waterways, and the plants and animals that live in them, feature in all facets of Aboriginal culture - including recreational, ceremonial, spiritual and as a main source of food and medicine. They are associated with dreaming stories and cultural learning that is still passed on today.

Source: environment.nsw.gov.au