Australian Indigenous actor Ningali Lawford-Wolf has died at the age of 52 in Edinburgh, Scotland, while touring with the stage production of The Secret River.

The Sydney Theatre Company (STC) confirmed the passing of Ms Lawford-Wolf, saying the award-winning actor passed away on Sunday, August 11.

"We have lost one of Australian theatre's greatest treasures," the STC said in a joint statement with Ms Lawford-Wolf's family.

"Ningali was an incredibly talented performer, as well as a wonderfully caring and thoughtful person."

She is well known across Australia for her roles in the films Rabbit-Proof Fence, Bran Nue Dae, and Last Cab to Darwin.

Ms Lawford-Wolf was a Wangkatjunka woman born under a tree at Christmas Creek Station in the far-north Kimberley region of Western Australia.

She won awards for her one-woman theatre show Ningali, as well as for productions of Aliwa, Uncle Vanya and Jandamarra.

Ms Lawford-Wolf had been involved in the development of The Secret River for the STC, and was performing in the show at the Edinburgh Festival at the time of her passing.

'Just so good'

Ms Lawford-Wolf's co-star in Last Cab to Darwin Michael Caton, said the news of her death had hit him hard.

"I must admit, I've been off balance today," Mr Caton said.

"We had such a wonderful time together when we did Last Cab to Darwin."

Australian film and television icon Michael Caton became friends with Ningali Lawford-Wolf after co-starring in the Last Cab to Darwin. ( Supplied: Ian Brodie )

As well as being a well-loved film actor, Mr Caton said she was also highly regarded in remote towns of the Kimberley region.

"She was very much a mentor to a lot of the girls at Fitzroy Crossing," he said.

"And I bet there were a few tears there today."

Longtime Kimberley theatre and arts producer Gwen Knox remembered meeting Ms Lawford-Wolf when she was a young woman working at a community store near Fitzroy Crossing.

"And then I got to know her better when she was in Broome working on Bran Nue Dae," Ms Knox said.

"I think the planets all lined up when she started working in the theatre industry because she was just so good."

In recent years she also appeared in ABC TV's Mystery Road.

"Ningali tapped into deep traditional culture with family, language and her connections all throughout the Kimberley, at the same time she was a bright spark in the entertainment world as well," series producer David Jowsey said.

He said Ms Lawford-Wolf will be remembered for her ability to "span the divide".

"[Filmmakers] look for people who can ... translate what it is to hold culture in your heart."

Managing cattle station to help 'our mob'

Offstage, Ms Lawford-Wolf had recently become involved in the development of the cattle industry in the Kimberley.

She was a director of the Indigenous-owned Kimberley Agriculture and Pastoral Company, which took control of more than 700,000 hectares of cattle country earlier this year.

As well as being born on a cattle station, Ms Lawford-Wolf's family worked on and managed Kimberley Stations for generations.

She told the ABC she saw her role as a chance to improve opportunities for the Kimberley's traditional owners.

"To be able to manage our business and create jobs, and I suppose get a piece of the pie, that will socially and economically bring up our cattle capacity and our mob," she said.

"We're only small, but we're starting out, plus we've got a very good idea of our country."

Tributes of 'deepest sorrow'

WA Treasurer Ben Wyatt. ( ABC News: Jacob Kagi )

WA's Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Ben Wyatt expressed his "deepest sorrow" at the Gooniyandi woman's passing.

"Mrs Lawford-Wolf was much loved and news of her passing will shock and sadden people deeply in the Kimberley and throughout Australia," he said.

"On behalf of the State Government I offer my heartfelt condolences to Mrs Lawford-Wolf's partner, Joe, her children and extended family."

Editor's Note 14/08/2019: The image of Ms Lawford-Wolf has been approved by her family.