Whilst GZ sits just outside the Dharawal National Park boundary, the cache is very much inspired by the National Park.
This National Park is named after the Dharawal (Tharawal) Peoples. Their Country extends from Botany Bay to the Shoalhaven River, and west to Campbelltown and Camden.
It took a long time for this important area to be declared a National Park. It’s History and story are inextricably tied to our desire for two local Natural Resources; Water and Coal.
- In 1927 the O’Hares Creek Catchment was proclaimed by the Metropolitan Water, Sewerage and Drainage Board. Various experimental Dams can be found in the West of the National Park, evidence of the investigations into using the area as a water supply.
- In 1978 the Metropolitan Water, Sewerage and Drainage Board decided that the area was not appropriate for water supply.
- In 1996 the area was declared a Nature Reserve and State Conservation Area.
- Finally, in 2012 the vast majority of the State Conservation Area was made a National Park.
- As the final Mining Leases within the State Conservation Area expire, they will be included in the National Park.
The area around Ground Zero is prolific in Gymea Lillies. If you come in early Spring you should see hundreds of them in flower, many metres tall.