North West Australia facts for kids
The North West is a common, informal name for the northern parts of Western Australia. People also call it the North West Coast or North Western Australia. Sometimes, this area is even thought to include parts of the Northern Territory. Many describe it as the "best of the outback" because of its unique landscapes.
This region includes important islands like Barrow Island, the Monte Bello Islands, and the Dampier Archipelago. The name "North West" is also used for the large oil and gas fields found under the sea, known as the North West Shelf.
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What is the North West?
The North West region has been defined in different ways over time. Back in 1862, the government of the Colony of Western Australia called all the land north of the Murchison River the "North District". This area was managed by a special government official.
Later, in 1887, a specific area called the North-West Land Division was created by law. This division only covered parts of the western Pilbara, northern Gascoyne, and a bit of the Mid West. Interestingly, it did not include the Kimberley region, even though most people think of the Kimberley as part of the North West.
The 26th Parallel South
Sometimes, the North West is simply defined as the area "north of the 26th parallel". This is a line of latitude at 26° south. For example, a government guide from 1963 used this line as a boundary. It also divided the North West into smaller areas like the Gascoyne, the "De Grey and Fortescue" rivers, the Kimberley, and the "Dry Interior".
Modern Regions
Today, the Pilbara and Kimberley are two official regions of Western Australia. Many people consider these two regions together to be the North West. The Gascoyne region is often added to this definition as well.
In the 1960s, the State Government described the region as being bordered by the Indian Ocean to the west. It covered a huge area of about 75,731 square miles (196,142 square kilometers). At that time, only about 10,000 people lived there.
A Frontier Area
The North West has often been called a "frontier" or even the "last frontier" in Western Australian history. This means it was seen as a wild, undeveloped area waiting to be explored and settled. In the 1920s and 1930s, when air travel was new, this region was especially known as a frontier for pilots.
Cyclone Zone
The North West is known for being hit by strong tropical cyclones often. These powerful storms can cause a lot of damage, especially to the mining and oil operations in the area.
Images for kids
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An 1885 map of "North-West Australia".
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The official North-West Land Division, created in 1887.
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A 1910 advertisement for shipping services from London to the "North West Goldfields".
