When Fitzroy Crossing was established the main group was the Bunuba people, their land stretching from the present day Brooking Springs and Leopold Downs Station to the Oscar, Napier and Wunaamin-Miliwundi Ranges.

[citation needed] The area was finally settled in 1886 by Dan MacDonald when he set up the Fossil Downs cattle station.

In 1974 a new bridge was built 3 kilometres (2 mi) south of the crossing, which moved the focus of the settlement from its original site.

[11] Bayulu Community is nearby, 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) southeast along Great Northern Highway on Gogo Station.

From 1951 to 1955, S Preston Walker, a missionary with the United Aborigines Mission (UAM) on loan to the Department of Native Affairs, opened up a novel Fitzroy Crossing Feeding Depot-Mission, which was handed back to the Junjuwa Community in February 1987.

He and other UAM missionaries set up a basic school, a health centre and store which was later taken over by the WA government and expanded to where it is today (2008).

Though the coroner noted a co-ordinated government response to the problems of Fitzroy Crossing to be lacking, local leaders have taken some action.

This aid in managing money was intended to assist people with financial difficulties to get involved in the community and plan for the long term.

[17] A community meeting in 2020, called by a group of senior men concerned about the high levels of alcohol abuse, associated gambling, fighting, domestic violence and family dysfunction.

The township of Fitzroy Crossing contains most amenities with two roadhouses, a self-serve 24-hour diesel station, supermarket,[19] post office, newsagent, clothes shops, accommodation, mechanics, electricians, plumbers, and cafes and restaurants.

[22] The Central Kimberley Football Association is centred in the town, six clubs from local communities play in a regular season.

Wangki Radio provides the latest news, weather, road reports and music to people in the remote parts of the Kimberley.