Prior to European settlement of Australia the region of Blackheath and surrounding areas were thought to be a summer corroberee meeting place for several Aboriginal nations, these being Darug (East), Gundungurra (South) and Wiradjuri (West). Due to the harsher climatic winter conditions, habitation would not have been feasible (see Geography & Climate). Some descendants of these people still reside in the modern township of 4104 persons and the surrounding areas (2001 ABS Census Data).
Blackheath was named in 1815 by Governor Lachlan Macquarie after the colour of the native shrubbery in the area. Macquarie recorded in his journal: "This place having a black wild appearance I have this day named it Black-Heath." The name is also sometimes taken as reference to the occurrence of bleak weather and the locals have also coined the phrases, "Bleak-Heath" and "(b)Lack-Heat(h)". Whilst true to some extent, these names are somewhat of a misnomer as Blackheath enjoys a sunny, temperate climate. The area was originally named "Hounslow" by Governor Macquarie on his original trip through the area to Bathurst. He renamed it on his return journey.
The first building in Blackheath, the "Scotch Thistle Inn", was erected by Andrew Gardner in 1831. The inn was visited by Charles Darwin in 1836. The extent of the original grant of land to Gardner can be seen today as the area bound by the Great Western Highway, Govetts Leap Road and (the misspelt) Gardiners Crescent.
Blackheath developed into a town after the railway line was built in 1869, the current station location being built in 1883. A large dam built to supply water for railway steam engines became the public baths well before steam operations ceased upon electrification. The baths opened for public swimming in 1931 and since then the extensive swimming pools, children's pay facilities and surrounding park lands have been a major draw card for the region. Blackheath's original post office opened in 1910
