Maroota

Maroota is located approximately 65 kilometres northwest of the Sydney CBD in the Shire of Baulkham Hills. The original inhabitants of the Maroota 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. According to Ruby Ramm in her recollections 'Life at Lansdale', Maroota is an Aboriginal name meaning 'much water'. It was first used to address the area in 1827. There are a number of springs in the area, the largest of which was estimated in 1970 to make 90 million gallons of clear water each year. In recent times the area has become well known for the extensive sand mining operations taking place. The sand extracted from Maroota supplies much of the sand required for Sydney's growing population. A large portion of State Forest was recently handed back to members of the local Darug people. Towns surrounding Maroota include: Leets Vale, Lower Portland, South Maroota and Wisemans Ferry. Visitor Information: Sydney Hills Visitor Centre 656A Old Northern Road, Dural (02) 9651 4411 Email: enquiries@sydneyhills.com.au Website: www.sydneyhills.com.au