[6] In February 1840 Crawford's hutkeeper, an old soldier, was bailed up by bushrangers Curran, Hughes, and Fox, who robbed him of his arms and rations.

Curran and Hughes were executed by hanging at Adelaide on 16 March 1840 for an armed robbery committed earlier near Gawler.

[7] Pioneer families during the first decades of closer settlement included surnames Coleman, Hammat, Rankine, Polden, Murray, Warren, and Whyte.

The subsequent history was one of mining and pastoralism, until being largely replaced by forestry and recreation activities.

[1][13] The forests are also popularly used for recreational purposes, with school fairs and camps being held there, along with a rally car race.