Yankee Hat Aboriginal Rock Art Walk

The Yankee Hat rock shelter contains 18 distinct painted motifs rendered in white clay and red ochre. The imagery includes kangaroos, echidna, dingo, birds, and elongated human figures. Carbon dating of deposits at the shelter indicates Ngunnawal people were using this site at least 800 years ago, with nearby archaeological evidence suggesting habitation dating back 3,700 years. The ochre pigments used here were sourced from quarries at Michelago and Gungahlin, pointing to extensive trade networks across south-eastern Australia.

The walking track departs from the Yankee Hat carpark (capacity approximately 15 vehicles, with toilets and a covered picnic shelter) and follows a gently graded path that circumnavigates a swamp valley. Metal mesh boardwalks protect fragile boggy areas. At the site itself, interpretive signage and a metal mesh viewing gallery ensure visitors can appreciate the paintings without coming into contact with the rock surface. Touching the artwork or surrounding stone is strictly prohibited, as skin oils cause irreversible damage to the pigments.

Spring brings wildflowers across the grasslands and the valley below Yankee Hat is reliably good for eastern grey kangaroos year-round. The site is managed in partnership with Ngunnawal traditional owners. Visitors should check current road conditions with the Namadgi Visitor Centre before travelling, as Old Boboyan Road is unsealed and subject to periodic maintenance closures.