The Sydney region was made up of the clan estates of over 20 different Aboriginal clan groups. The Wann-gal clan and their ancestors lived in the Homebush Bay area for more than

20 000 years. The river and wetland areas were abundant with fish and other aquatic species, mangroves provided timber for making tools, and access to fresh water beyond the tidal flow would have made Homebush an attractive location.

European occupation is thought to have severely changed the practices of Aboriginal people in the area. Land grants were issued from 1793 onwards but use of the land by Aboriginal people is thought to have continued until the late 1800s.

Physical evidence of their use of the area has been found in the form of stone artefacts. Also, several scarred trees have been found within the Woodlands. Aboriginal shell middens—accumulations of shell produced by Aboriginal people collecting, cooking and eating shellfish— were known to have lined Homebush Bay and the Parramatta River.