North Rocks

North Rocks is located approximately 25 kilometres northwest of the Sydney CBD in the Shire of Baulkham Hills. The original inhabitants of the North Rocks area were the Darug people. The Darug were the custodians of the majority of what is now the Greater Sydney region. They were divided into a number of different ﾑclans', whose quick demise upon European settlement has sadly resulted in very little information remaining on how the local area was utilised. The area of North Rocks was originally named Jerusalem Rocks, both names being derived from a massive sandstone outcrop in the region. The rock outcrop, which was north of Parramatta, was used to build Parramatta Gaol and the wall for the Lake Parramatta dam. Settlers originally used the area for farming and fruit growing, of which remnants still remain today. North Rocks has a major shopping centre, many restaurants and weekly markets. The Excelsior Bushland Reserve, reputedly a hideaway for the bushranger Bold Jack Donahue in the 1800's, can also be found in this area. Towns surrounding North Rocks include: Baulkham Hills, Carlingford, Castle Hill, North Parramatta, Northmead and Oatlands. Visitor Information: Sydney Hills Visitor Centre 656A Old Northern Road, Dural (02) 9651 4411 Email: enquiries@sydneyhills.com.au Website: www.sydneyhills.com.au