More than 100 years ago, 30 police officers went searching for an Aboriginal warrior feared by authorities across Western Australia.

His name was Jandamarra.

His home? Bunuba country, nestled in the remote landscapes of the Kimberley.

Picturesque locations like Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek, now famous tourist attractions, became headquarters for a three-year guerrilla war.

It was this story of bloodshed, betrayal, culture and country that emerged when Curious Kimberley was asked about the legend of Jandamarra, and why it is not more widely known.

Jimmy 'Dillon' Andrews is dedicated to keeping the Jandamarra story alive with his tours. ( ABC Kimberley: Emily Jane Smith )

In primary schools across Australia children are taught legend of Ned Kelly, but Bunuba kids in the Kimberley hear the legend of their ancestor Jandamarra, an outlaw who fought to save their country and people from colonisation.

Bunuba elder Jimmy "Dillon" Andrews is a custodian of the legendary tale and has dedicated his life to sharing the story on his ancestral land.

"It was here where my ancestor Jandamurra was torn between two worlds but ultimately fought for his people," he said.

The Frontier Wars and the rise of Jandamarra

Jandamarra was born in the 1870s, a time when pastoralists and accompanying authorities were staking claim in Australia's north-west.

When Jandamarra was about 10 years old he went to live on Lennard River Pastoral Station with his mother.

"It was here where he learned skills in shooting, horse riding and shearing," Mr Andrews said.

But at around 16 years old, the teenager returned to the Bunuba people, who were still living a traditional life on country.

Dillon Andrews walks through the ruins of Lillimooloora Police Station where Jandamarra and William Richardson worked together. ( ABC Kimberley: Emily Jane Smith )

Soon after, Jandamarra and fellow Bunuba leader Ellemarra were captured by police, accused of killing sheep and imprisoned.

Eventually, Jandamarra returned to his people, only to be banished after elders accused him of violating kinship law.

To avoid retribution, he went to live at Lillimooloora station where he developed a strong friendship with settler Bill Richardson.

"They became very close friends," Mr Andrews said.

When Richardson joined the police force, Jandamarra followed and was recruited as a tracker.

Scene from Jandamarra, a play about an Aboriginal freedom fighter from Western Australia's Kimberley region, that will be told in a major choral work at opening at the Sydney Opera House on July 16, 2014. ( Supplied )

Jandamarra and Richardson worked together to capture Bunuba people, using their ancient knowledge of the country to track down those in hiding.

"They were the most outstanding couple in the police force at that time," Mr Andrews said.

"And many times Jandamarra even saved Richardson's life because of the friendship they had."

Betrayal and the birth of a warrior

Jandamarra's story takes an abrupt turn when he and Richardson captured 16 Bunuba resistance fighters; including his once fellow prisoner Elemarra and many in his own family.

"They were chained around the neck together waiting for the ship to take them to Rottnest Island," Mr Andrews said.

"Many Kimberley people went to the prison there, but none came back."

In chains, they asked Jandamarra how he could betray his people and his own family.

During Jandamurra's time, Indigenous people often were chained by their neck. ( Supplied: State Library of Western Australia 0263089D )

"Ellemarra would say to Jandamarra 'I raised you, I put you through Bunuba law' and look what you've done to us," Mr Andrews said.

"It was heartbreaking, Jandamarra was torn between two worlds."

Jandamarra decided to defect; shooting Richardson dead, rejoining his people and leading a three-year resistance against the early settlers.

The most famous battle took place in 1894 at Windjana Gorge between the Bunuba and 30 police officers, with Ellemarra killed and Jandamarra badly injured.

But the latter's recovery saw him gain a supernatural status among his enemies and the Bunuba people.

Lillimooloora is the site where Jandamarra defected from the police to free his family. ( ABC Kimberley: Emily Jane Smith )

Police from around the state for feared his shooting skills, while his knowledge of the land made him an ideal insurgent fighter.

"He had magical powers only our people understand," Mr Andrews said.

Jandamarra was eventually killed at Tunnel Creek in 1897 by Aboriginal tracker Minko Mick who was recruited by police to specifically counter the resistance leader.

"Tunnel Creek is a sacred site and remembered by us for the death of Jandamarra," Mr Andrews said.

'Let's build a future together'

Jandamarra's story is one of many of the violence between new European arrivals and Aboriginal people who resisted their occupation.

The story has been passed down through generations of Bunuba, becoming a book, a docudrama and a play at the Sydney Opera House, but others have been lost.

Mr Andrews has spent years developing his tour to effectively tell the Jandamarra story in a little over an hour.

Dillon Andrews shows tourists the sites crucial to Jandamarra's story. ( ABC Kimberley: Emily Jane Smith )

His dream is to develop his tour into a thriving business so he can train and employ young Bunuba people.

"I want to create employment for our people, on country, long into the future," he said.

And although the story is part of one of Australia's bloodiest chapters, Mr Andrews' message to visitors is one of understanding.

"Let's build a relationship and work together," he said.

"What's in the past cannot be undone, but let's build a future together."