Quinkan rock art

Quinkan rock art spreads across sandstone plateaux in the Laura region, featuring red ochre paintings of people, animals, and mythical beings. The galleries scatter throughout a vast area, revealing different artistic styles and traditions across the locations.

These art galleries were created over many thousands of years and rank among Australia's oldest artistic expressions. The sites demonstrate how Aboriginal cultures remained artistically active across this region for an extended period.

The paintings depict Quinkan spirit figures, including tall Timara beings and large-bodied Imjim figures, that represent how Aboriginal people understood their connection to this land.

The Split Rock site can be visited independently by most travelers, while other locations require guided tours arranged through the regional cultural center. It helps to check in advance which sites suit your visit and what arrangements you will need.

Aboriginal rangers and researchers regularly find new rock art sites in the Laura Basin, revealing that many galleries remain unknown to outsiders. These ongoing discoveries suggest the scope of artistic activity in this area is far larger than previously understood.