 The bushland surrounding the creek is rich in bloodwoods ("Eucalyptus gummifera"), scribbly gums ("Eucalyptus haemastoma"), and the narrow-leaved stringy bark ("Eucalyptus oblonga").Middle Harbour Creek was first explored by Governor Arthur Phillip on an expedition from Manly Cove on 15 April 1788.The intention of the expedition was to discover food.