Although rare in incidence apparently, there is a field of the bush just past the one in my photos and they continue to appear in number along the escarpment. The trail starts just east of Kiandra which was the base for early settlement. Given the common name , kerosene bush, I wonder if they were used to fuel household fires or similar and encouraged to grow in the area
This is one of those instances where the rare listing on Naturemapr is a little bit misleading. Ozothamnus cupressoides was once thought to be quite rare in the ACT (recorded at only 3 sites), although i must admit recent records suggest that it is significantly more common that initally suspected. It has always been reasonbly commonly and widely distributed throughout Kosciusko NP. The name Kerosene bush is derived exactly how you've envisiged; the plant is highly aromatic and oily which lends very well to starting fires. :)