Grass trees were very important to the local Awabakal and Darkinjung people. The resin found in the base of the tree wis mixed with wallaby droppings and used as a glue to attach tool heads to handles and was also used to seal containers such as Coolamons that could be cut from knots on the side of the local coastal red gum Angophora costata. Sealed they could be used to carry water.

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Spears, digging sticks and handles could be made from the spikes.

 

The flowers of the grass tree were soaked in water to make a sweet drink and the seeds were collected and ground into flour to make damper.