Woy Woy engraving site

Deep within the Australian bush, etched into the very rock of this land, lies the Woy Woy engraving site. A place where the whispers of the past come alive. The Woy Woy engraving site is a testament to the rich Aboriginal heritage of this region, a canvas where stories of ancient times are carved for eternity. Here, on multiple rock platforms near Woy Woy Road, we find a complex tapestry of engravings. Scholars like W.D. Campbell, Ian Sim, Fred McCarthy, and Stanbury & Clegg have meticulously documented these incredible works. Their efforts allow us to connect with the artists who lived here long before us. As you stand here at the Woy Woy engraving site, imagine the people who once walked this land. They looked out over the same breathtaking views, across to the ocean and the entrance to Brisbane Water. Let’s explore two fascinating areas within this expansive site. The first, known as Site 1 or “Man with Boomerang”, greets you with a group of 28 figures. One striking figure depicts a man, possibly holding a boomerang or club. Nearby, ovals, a mundoe (a foot-shaped engraving), and fish or cuttlefish swim across the rock. Ian Sim’s detailed descriptions from 1966 bring these figures to life. He describes circles, more fish, a five-toed footprint, a hand, and various lines that might be incomplete figures. Imagine the artists chipping away at the rock, their tools creating these lasting images. The second area, Site 2, hosts the intriguing “Dancing Rabbits”. This group consists of two men and a string of nine small animals. Campbell’s 1899 account refers to them as rabbits. This intriguing detail could place the engravings in the early 1800s. Alternatively, the animals could represent rabbit-eared bandicoots, bilbies (now extinct in this area), or even dancing people in headdresses. McCarthy’s interpretation adds a further layer of depth. He observed a procession of animals, potentially in a totemic ceremony. Two men stand nearby, their heads pointing towards these mysterious mammals. Are they approaching or facing away? The ambiguity invites us to ponder their relationship to these creatures. A giant fish, over a metre long, swims beneath the “rabbits”, completing this fascinating tableau. The Woy Woy engraving site offers a profound connection to the past. These figures, carved into the ancient rock, whisper stories of a vibrant culture. They invite us to contemplate the lives and beliefs of the people who called this place home.