North West Australia

From February 1865, the North District was officially administered by a Government Resident, Robert John Sholl, initially based in Camden Harbour, then moved to Roebourne in November 1865.

The North-West Land Division, created by legislation in 1887, includes only the western Pilbara, northern Gascoyne and part of the Mid West, but not the Kimberley, thereby excluding many areas usually encompassed by popular definitions.

Western Australian law, state government policy and popular culture sometimes creates exceptions for the area "north of the 26th parallel" (latitude 26° south).

The most recent proponent of such a scheme was Federal MP Bob Katter, who suggested that such a state should be called "North Western Australia".

[6] The region has also acquired a reputation as being vulnerable to regular and devastating cyclones, with impact on mineral and oil operations.

The official, legislated regions of Western Australia: the Pilbara, Kimberley and Gascoyne are often considered parts of the "North West".
A map showing the location of the Murchison River.
An 1885 map of "North-West Australia".
The official North-West Land Division, created in 1887.
A 1910 advertisement for shipping services from London to the "North West Goldfields", which were in the Tanami Desert (Western Australia/Northern Territory).