The first Europeans to set foot on Mt Wilson, in 1795, were Matthew Everingham, William Reid and John Ramsey. Everingham recorded:

"Southward is a level champagne to the westward of the country is rocky and barren without a single tree standing for many miles, but had a most picturesque and romantic view, the sun shining on the rocks. They appeared to the beholder like towns and castles in ruins - I wish'd much to go over and explore that barren track of land but our provisions grew very short and were obliged to bend our thoughts towards home."

Subdivided into 62 portions in the 1860's and put up for auction in 1870, Mt Wilson attracted little interest due to inaccessibility. But with the opening of Mt Wilson (later Bell) railway station in 1875, the land was sold within a year.

Being remote from the highway and several kilometres from Bells Line of Road, Mt Wilson and Mt Irvine were, and still are, quiet rustic mountain villages where the wealthy have their country retreats.

Today, Mt Wilson is famous for its cool-climate gardens. Some of these are open to public inspection year round, others in spring and autumn.

Unlike most of the Blue Mountains, Mt Wilson is capped with volcanic rock. Plant growth is luxuriant, with one area being known as the Cathedral of Ferns due to the many tree large ferns. Similar conditions exist on Mounts Irvine, Tomah and Banks.

The old Post Office, Mt Wilson
Courtesy Blue Mountains City Library