Place Names Register Extract
Buchanan Highway
If you know of any information about this place name which does not appear in this extract, please let the Place Names Committee know by completing a submission form.
View in NT Atlas | Print Extract | Search Again| Name | Buchanan |
|---|---|
| Type Designation | Highway |
| Place Id | 5437 |
| Place Type | Road |
| Status | Registered |
| Date Registered | 2 November 1966 |
| Locality / Suburb | |
| Birdum | |
| Gregory | |
| Tanami East | |
| Victoria River | |
| Local Government Area | |
| Barkly Shire Council | |
| History/Origin | Named after Nathaniel (Nat) Buchanan in 1966 who was born in Dublin in 1826 and arrived in Australia in 1832. On 10 October 1877, "Nat Buchanan" and "Greenhide" Sam Croker left Rocklands Station near Camooweal and travelled west across the Barkly Tablelands to the Telegraph Line, north of Tennant Creek. They found sufficient water to make droving practicable. Croker accompanied Buchanan on other droving trips. He was with Buchanan and his son in 1886 when the Murranji Waterhole was found. Pushing west they also found Yellow Waterhole. They proceeded to the Armstrong River and then on to Wave Hill which was so named by Buchanan. One hundred head of horses and 150 head of cattle were taken across this route with Buchanan. These were the first stock to get through. This route is now known as the Murranji Track. Nat Buchanan held pastoral leases in the VRD area. The original route of the Highway was from the Stuart Highway (near Dunmarra) to Top Springs then via Wave Hill to Duncan Road in Western Australia. In October 1996, the section of the Buchanan Highway from Top Springs to Duncan Road was renamed Buntine Highway and the road from Top Springs via Jasper Gorge to the Victoria Highway near Timber Creek was named Buchanan Highway. |
Register & Gazettal information
| Date | Gazettal | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 02/11/1966 | NTG55 | |
| 09/10/1996 | NTG41 | Section of Highway between Top Springs & WA border renamed Buntine Highway. Road between Top Springs via Jasper Gorge to Victoria Highwaay, near Timber Creek, named. |