Robert Hoddle (surveyor) and Allan Cunningham (botanist) crossed Mount Tomah in 1823. They made comprehensive records of the vegetation they found and pockets of the rainforest still exist. They were especially impressed with Dicksonia Antarctica, the soft brown tree fern, Cyathea Australis and the black rough tree fern. Mount Tomah is famous for its botanic gardens, cave hill and wild mountain scenery.