Online Catalogue last updated 15th of September 2008
Old Bluey - Nat Buchanan.
Nat Buchanan was the first European to cross the Barkly Tablelands from east to west and first to take a large herd of breeding cattle from Queensland to the Top End of the Northern Territory. Buchanan created a droving record when he supervised the movement of 20,000 head of cattle over this route. He established the first station in the Victoria River District of the Northern Territory - Wave Hill. He was first with cattle to the East Kimberley in Western Australia to stock Ord River Station and first to cross the Murranji country with men and stock. First also to take cattle overland from the East Kimberley district to the Murchison River in Western Australia and last but not least, Buchanan was the first European to cross the Tanami Desert from Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory to Sturt Creek, Western Australia. Not only is this a formidable list of achievements but it also demonstrates that Buchanan was in no way a parochial explorer and pioneer - his work encompassed the entire north of Australia.
If he was an American they would build a Hall of Fame in his honour, but Australians haven't heard of him. At last, a fitting tribute to one of the truly great Australians. - Ted Egan
The name of Nat Buchanan is synonymous with the pioneering and opening up of the vast pastoral areas of North Western Australia, enabling the Duracks, the Emmanuels, the MacDonalds and others to follow. - Olive Quilty
Nat Buchanan was arguably Australia's greatest explorer. His great grand-daughter, with access to private family papers, presents, in lively style, a new and definitive biography of one of Australia's great men. - Marie Mahood
Code No. 009403, 188 pages, ISBN 1875998195, $33.00