Oh I missed the bit about the aborigines.
Not so strange, I lived in Central Asia, and all driection at all times were given as compass points.
(Ok, not put your hand up in class, that is goign too far)
So - can you tell me where the chemist is? Yes go south down this road, take the first turning to the east and it is on the north side of the street.
I never. had. a. clue.
Still have to think which is NSEW in my own house and garden and my street name is XXXX NORTH, with the one over the crossroads being XXXX SOUTH as the two roads run north/south between two places. So it should be easy. I still struggle.