Old Onslow Townsite

Child Places

• 04232 Tramway and Jetty
• 03949 Old Onslow Police Station

Statement of Significance

Old Onslow Townsite, an archaeological site comprising various structures and features, including the Police Station Complex (1893; 1906/1907), located in a natural setting on the banks of the Ashburton River, in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:
the place is a rare example of an historical archaeological site of a former ‘frontier’ settlement in a very remote area of the North West of the State.
the remaining fabric and archaeological material of the place is important for its ability to reveal information about the history of the town from its establishment up to its abandonment in 1925.
the plan of the town, with its centre, residential area and labourers’ camps, is representative of social planning characteristic of eighteenth and nineteenth century European colonial attitudes towards Aboriginal, Japanese, Chinese, Malay, Filipino, Afghan and Italian workers and their families, demonstrating the frontier mentality of the era and the private enterprise ethic which exploited natural resources.
the place was established to service the local pearling and pastoral industries in the late nineteenth century, and as such has associations with the development of the North West of the State.
the Police Station Complex has landmark value as it is the most substantial structure remaining within the original townsite.
the place is of significance to the local Aboriginal community, who have strong memories of Old Onslow, in particular with regard to conflict between local Aboriginal people and European settlers and the exploitation of Aboriginal workers in the pearling and pastoral industries.
the natural setting of the place, with its native vegetation and location on the flats of the Ashburton River, together with the ruins and archaeological remains of the buildings lends the place high aesthetic qualities.
the place is associated with a number of prominent Western Australians who assumed leases in the area and were engaged in the pearling and pastoral industries, including the Forrest family; and,
the place has associations with J. Clark, who established the port at the Ashburton River in 1882/1883 and who, through the construction of such enterprises as the jetty, the first general store and the Rob Roy Hotel, was largely responsible for the development of the town in the 1880s through to the early 1900s.

Physical Description

The Old Onslow Townsite lies about 20 km west of the ‘new’ Onslow (established in 1924). It is approached from the south via an unsealed road accessed off Twitchen Road. Within the site, several gravel tracks cross the former townsite, some following the approximate alignment of historic streets. However, the original town layout is now difficult to recognise, as natural regrowth has reclaimed much of the area and vehicle traffic has created new informal routes. Interpretation signs mark the locations of former buildings, and a Visitor Information Bay with toilets is located near the former Police Complex.
Few structures remain. When the town was relocated to Beadon Bay, most movable buildings were transported to the new site, and other materials were repurposed on pastoral stations.
The remaining ruins include the Police Station, the old Gaol, remnants of the 1894 Post Office, James Clark’s house, and the store and water tank from the hospital site. The most visually prominent ruins are the Police Station and Quarters and the old Gaol. Built from locally quarried “coral sandstone” and designed by the Public Works Department in the Victorian Georgian style, these structures stand out among the surrounding vegetation.
The Police Station and Quarters was built in 1893. The old Gaol, located southeast of the Police Station, contains two original 1893 cells, an exercise yard on the western side, and a 1906–07 addition of three more cells to the east. Between the Police Station and the Gaol is a water tank with a curved roof.
The town cemetery is situated northeast of the townsite along the continuation of Campbell Street. Used until the 1920s, it covers roughly two hectares.
To the east of the townsite are remnants of the 1909 Ashburton Sea Port tramline, including parts of a timber bridge, raised earthen embankments, and other structural remnants. Further east lie the archaeological remains of the Ashburton Sea Port, including piles from two former jetties.

History

The town and port of Old Onslow was gazetted in 1885 after years of lobbying from pastoralists seeking a port for exporting wool. The first building on the site was a goods shed taken over in 1883 by James Clark and John McKenzie, who opened a warehouse and store. Their store—as well as the newly established telegraph line—later influenced how the townsite was surveyed and laid out.
Onslow was named after Sir Alexander Campbell Onslow (1842–1908), the Chief Magistrate and briefly Acting Governor. The original townsite contained 116 lots arranged in two blocks: ten near the river and the remainder inland. All streets except Anketell were named after Onslow’s relatives.
From the beginning, the location proved difficult. The Ashburton River’s heavy wet-season flows, and cyclone-driven surges made safe mooring unreliable. Flooding of nearby claypans also affected the townsite. Over time, a sandbar at the river mouth became increasingly problematic, causing frequent maritime accidents and prompting calls for alternative port infrastructure.
A sea jetty was constructed, though the first attempt was destroyed by a cyclone in 1897. Subsequent jetties were built too close to the river mouth, allowing silt to accumulate and rendering them ineffective at low tide or for heavy vessels.
A more viable solution came with the construction of a new jetty at Beadon Point, some distance from the original town. This shift left Old Onslow isolated from regional transport networks. By 1920, the need to relocate the town was widely accepted, and the Ashburton Roads Board supported moving to Beadon. The process generated significant debate, including disputes over compensation and the name of the new town—variously proposed as Beadon, Ashburton, or Onslow.
New Onslow was gazetted in January 1924, with land sales commencing in 1925. Old Onslow was gradually abandoned, though it technically remained a townsite until 1976, when the land was revested to the Crown. Many buildings were moved to the new town, but stone structures remained and now stand as ruins marking the original settlement.
Over time, the Old Onslow Townsite has deteriorated due to erosion and unmanaged visitation. In January 2016, stabilisation works funded through the Chevron-operated Wheatstone Project’s $250 million social and critical infrastructure package were completed. These works included temporary mesh frames for the Old Gaol openings, protection of the water tank, and temporary arch supports to stabilise a gaol cell. The Pilbara Regional Council managed the project in partnership with Chevron and the Shire.

Archaeology

The place has enormous potential to reveal information about the history of the development and the abandonment of the town. Several studies have been undertaken to determine the character and extent of archaeological potential.

Integrity/Authenticity

High

Condition

Old Onslow Townsite is in ruinous and therefore poor condition

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.