The Grose has escaped development. There have been schemes for roads, railways, dams, mines & forestry, but the bulldozers have been kept out. Instead, the valley became the Cradle of Conservation in New South Wales when it was reserved from sale in 1875-- an event magnificently reinforced in 1931 when a group of bushwalkers were moved to save the Blue Gum Forest from the axe.

This is the story of the whole Grose Wilderness, & of the Blue Gum Forest in particular. It is the story of people who have visited the wilderness: Aborigines, explorers, engineers, miners, track builders, bushwalkers, canyoners, climbers...those who have loved it, & those who have threatened it.

Andy Macqueen has been an enthusiastic bushwalker & conservationist since the 1960's. He lives with his family in the Blue Mountains, where he teaches people about the bush, & researches & writes local history. He links his interest in the region to his great-great grandfather Frederick D'Arcy, who was one of Major Mitchell's surveyors.