Under Macquarie’s leadership (1810-1822) the colony including the Hawkesbury district flourishes. There are several efforts to find a a route through to the Hunter Valley from the Hawkesbury. Land surveyors, William Parr and Benjamin Singleton made an attempt in 1817. Singleton again in 1818, but it is John Howe accompanied by local Aboriginal guide, Myles, and Singleton who find a route through in 1819. Their quicker route became the stock route. (Nichols p14) Parr, Singleton and Myles almost reach the Hunter Valley. They travel from Windsor along the eastern edge of Wollemi Range, despite Aboriginal people lighting bushfires in front of them to try to turn them back. They see Mt Wareng and Mt Yengo, two ancient peaks sacred to Aboriginal people. This early exploration indicates that the same clan group occupies the lands reaching from the Hawkesbury to Hunter Rivers. (Ford p77)