Rock Art and Red Country at Mount Grenfell

Overview

Mount Grenfell Historic Site sits in the dry country north-west of Cobar, where a rocky ridge rises from the Cobar Peneplain and shelters one of western New South Wales’ important Aboriginal rock art sites. The setting is strikingly open, with red earth, low rocky slopes, mallee bushland and grassland spreading out around a semi-permanent waterhole that has drawn people here for generations.

Although the reserve is small, it feels larger because of the big sky and broad plain around it. The place is valued as much for its landscape as for the cultural significance held in the art shelters and overhangs.

Highlights

The scenery here is defined by the contrast between the low-relief plain and the rugged rise of Mount Grenfell itself. Rocky outcrops, red soils and sparse inland vegetation give the site a distinctly western NSW character, and the higher ground opens out to wide views across the surrounding country.

The semi-permanent waterhole also shapes the feel of the place. In an otherwise dry landscape, it creates a natural focal point, with rock overhangs and sheltered areas tucked into the ridge nearby.

Best Time to Visit

Cooler months are usually the most comfortable time to spend time at Mount Grenfell. Autumn, winter and spring tend to suit the open, arid setting best, especially if you want to appreciate the lookout country and the colours of the rock and soil without the harsher heat of summer.

Clear days are particularly rewarding here because the broad surrounding plain and the ridge country are such a big part of the experience.

Plants and Animals

The site lies in dry inland country, with mallee bushland, open grasslands and shrub-covered rocky ground shaping the landscape. That mix of habitats supports animals well adapted to heat and low rainfall.

Emus and kangaroos are part of the everyday wildlife here, and reptiles such as bearded dragons, shinglebacks and geckos are often seen in warmer weather. Small birds forage through the leaf litter, and the area also provides habitat for the endangered kultarr, a tiny hopping marsupial of the inland plains.

Culture and Heritage

Mount Grenfell protects richly coloured rock art associated with Ngiyampaa people. The paintings and hand stencils appear in rocky overhangs around the waterhole and include human and animal figures, images connected to the natural world, and motifs of ceremonial significance.

This place has long been a meeting ground, with the semi-permanent waterhole and surrounding shelters supporting repeated gathering over thousands of years. Mount Grenfell was handed back to Ngiyampaa Wangaaypuwan Aboriginal owners in 2004 and is jointly managed, reflecting the continuing connection of Traditional Owners with this Country.