Daleys Point

The Daleys Point Aboriginal Site features many aquatic designs. Orca, a basking shark, a stingray and some other fish. There is also a kangaroo and some very nice grinding grooves. One of the whales has two large figures wearing headdresses carved over it. A third figure, probably female, is engraved nearby. About a month after the First Fleet arrived in Sydney Cove, Governor Arthur Phillip led a small party that landed just below this engraving site. Some people have suggested that these carvings may be describing that early contact.

This is a false colour image of an engraving of a 7 meter long Orca. Some lines can be seen emanating from the rostrum. These lines are fairly common on whale engravings but not other species. These may be sound lines, representing whale song.

Daleys Point - an engraving of an orca

Orca

This engraving shows a 6 metre long basking shark. This animal is easily identified by the five large gill slits.

Daleys Point - an engraving of a basking shark

Basking Shark

Overlaid on the tail area of the basking shark is this design depicting a stingray.

Daleys Point - an engraving of a stingray

Stingray

This is a false colour image of a large fish.

Daleys Point - an engraving of a large fish

Large Fish

For the first few hours that we were at this site the sky was overcast. Then the afternoon sun popped out of the clouds and these excellent fish carvings appeared.

Daleys Point - an engraving of a fish

Fish

Daleys Point - an engraving of a fish

Fish

Below the engraving platform are caves that house some aboriginal charcoal drawings.

Daleys Point - caves with charcoal drawings

Cave

Daleys Point - caves below engraving platform

Caves – Wide View

This shows a small water hole with surrounding axe grinding grooves.

Daleys Point - grinding grooves

Grinding Grooves

Daleys Point - grinding grooves

Grinding Grooves – Wide View

Fish

Fish

10 thoughts on “Daleys Point

  1. Michael Williams

    Spike Milligan describes a carving of Arthur Phillip’s rowboat at Daley’s Point , could this be the carving you describe as i’m interested in seeing this one – Thanks MW

    Reply
    1. Sydney Rock Art Post author

      We have not found any carvings of a rowboat at this site, but the front end of one of the large whales does resemble the prow of a boat.

      Reply
      1. Maurie Akenson

        Ran up there today and even though i’m fairly experienced with Aboriginal sites, i was unable to find any of these sites at Daleys point??

        Reply
        1. Sydney Rock Art Post author

          The best time of day to find rock engravings is either early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the sun is low in the sky. If the sun is high or the sky is overcast and the light is very diffused it can be nearly impossible to find faint engravings. The Daleys Point engraving site is well marked with a NPWS information sign.

          Reply
  2. Jeremy

    Given your expertise, I wonder which tribe or language group would have made these engravings?
    Grateful if you could respond by email

    Reply
    1. Sydney Rock Art Post author

      This kind of information might best be sought from a local indigenous group. We do not have that knowledge.

      Reply
      1. Jeremy

        Thanks for your cultural concern. I have now established through the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council that they are the language group that claims authority in the Bouddi area.
        I have asked for further interpretation of the rock carving, but haven’t heard back yet

        Reply
  3. Aaron Magee

    Hi I live in Empire bay, in Pomona rd, I’m study Permaculture and are very interested in finding out more knowledge of the indigenous history of our area, can anyone recommend any books, or where I could seek further information, thank you. Aaron

    Reply
  4. William Dunn

    The engravings at Daleys Point are traditional subjects, not the European arrival in the area…I wonder about the possibility of regrooving the engravings before they disappear..The Rock Shelter below is interesting with lots of cockle and mud welk shells and ash from countless fires…it now has a metal grid protecting the site…great views from the site…sad to think they are gone.

    Reply

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