Man and Mundo, Waratah Track, Ardern Trig, Kuringai National Park

View of rock platform midway to Ardern Trig

What is left of Ardern Trig

Man-like engraving

Mundo pointing back toward Topham Trig

Stone Arrangement

The side track from the Waratah Track to Ardern Trig is worth the trip - not recommended if raining! The "man engraving" is an unusual one - similar in ways to one at Topham Trig (lower) but in very simple-figurative style in terms of the arms and fingers - similar to one other at Cowan, one in Berowra and one other in the Central Coast.

Tree - like Engraving, Waratah Track, West Head

View over scattered and tessellated rock platforms 

Deep tree-like engraving

Located about 600 metres west of the double whale engraving site along the Waratah Trail is an unusual tree-like engraving. Most of this area appears to have been in-filled with sediment leading to a newer layer of vegetation across each of the rock platforms. Absolutely worth the journey.

Large single whale, Waratah Track, West Head

Whale Fin detail

Whale engraving platform

Whale tail detail

This "bora" style whale is fairly difficult to find along the Waratah Track. It's body contains several bands and is weathered quite badly. The majority of this platform is turning "white". It is well hidden on the south side of the Waratah Track with no track in. It is worth the effort to negotiate the difficult climb down and across several rock ledges and a creek to enjoy this significant space. This whale is almost identical to the whale in Point Clare that is also banded and of the same dimensions and another whale on the eastern side of Woy Woy Road in Kariong.

Man and Emu Site, Waratah Track, West Head

Several pairs of axe grooves are located on the edge of the cliff

Man engraving

Large single legged Emu engraving

This set of engravings is part of a larger group of engravings that seem to be infrequently visited due to their location near the edge of a cliff and with no trail in. This site is approximately 500 metres west of the Shield Engraving Site that is  500 metres from the start of the Waratah Track.

Wallaby and Emu, Waratah Track, West Head

Appears to be an Emu engraving

Wallaby and Emu body

This engraving site is located south west of the double whale engraving site on the northern side of the Waratah Track at West Head. This site is slowly being overtaken by moss and is about half-way along the Waratah Track.

Shield, Waratah Track, West Head

Shield not previously recorded

Located approximately half way along the Waratah Track to the left hand side  of the trail is a small sloping rock containing an small yet elongated shield. This is in the vicinity of the third whale engraving along this track.

Series of Deep Engraved Grooves, Waratah Track, West Head

Deep Engraved Grooves

Located along the Waratah Track are many small rock surfaces - many contain axe grooves around small natural water pools.

Flathead-shaped Engraving, Waratah Track, West Head

Flathead Shaped Engraving

This flathead-shaped engraving is weathered and present on the entry to the Whale Site about 3 - 3 1/2 km along the Waratah Track. There are several other engravings - some more weathered and damaged on the main trail in this location.

Engraving, Waratah Track, West Head

Engraving

This engraving is located on the southern side of the track that leads directly on to the Whale Engraving(s) surface. It seems that there were many more engravings on this surface including a large 5-6 ft fish that seems to have been destroyed. Location is about 3 km along the Waratah Track. 

Large Whale (2), Waratah Track, West Head

Large Whale (2)

This large whale is about the same length of the other whale that is located nearby. The girth of this whale is far greater. You need the right sunlight and water to fully see the engraving. There is at least one engraving inside the whale and another diamond shaped engraving nearby. Location is about 3 -3 1/2 km along the Waratah Track.

Whale (1), Waratah Track, West Head

Head of Whale

There are two very large whales engraved on the main rock platform that is oriented toward the north, about 3 kms along the Waratah Track. It is unlikely that you will find both unless the sun is at the right angle and water flowing over the surface. There is a beautiful clump of native rock orchids near this whale on the edge of the ledge. This Whale is about 25 -26 Ft long - not the longest recorded but significant.

Small Series of Engravings, Waratah Track, West Head

Engraving

There are two unusual engravings about 30 - 35 cm located off to the left hand side of the Waratah Track approximately 3 - 3 1/2 kms along the Waratah Track.

Axe Grooves. Circles and Stone Arrangement

Stone Arrangement and small engravings

There are many tessellated surfaces to be found along the length of the Waratah Track. This particular surface includes a stone arrangement and what seems to be an access path, albeit overgrown that leads to another engraving site. Located to the LHS of the Waratah Track on a steep hill climb perhaps 2 - 2 1/2 km from West Head Road. The engravings present are axe grooves and circles.

Waratah Track, West Head

Large Shield

Part of a small group of engravings easily accessible on the Waratah Track at West Head.