For most grey nomads, Derby is best known as the place at the beginning or the end of the Kimberley’s most iconic track … the Gibb River Road.
For those not game to take on the corrugations and creeks that make the far end of the route somewhat challenging, the town is the perfect base from which to explore some of the more famous and easily accessible attractions. Both Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek can be reached along well maintained roads from the ‘Derby end’.
But the town, located on the edge of the muddy waters of King Sound, deserves a lot more than being known as a staging post for ‘bigger and better’ things. With a population of around 5,000, Derby is famed for its monster tides which peak at over 11 metres, and for its spectacular sunsets.
The magnificent Derby Jetty. PIC: Tourism Western Australia
Grey nomads basking in the cracking dry season temperatures are always well represented among the campchair-sitting, ‘cold-one’-sipping crowds at the wharf as darkness descends at the end of each day.
Just a few kilometres out of town, is another Derby icon, the famed Boab prison tree. Believed to be 1,500 years old, the tree has a girth of nearly 15 metres, and a hollow section at its base was reputedly once used as a prisoner lock-up.
Travellers check out a Boab tree near Derby. PIC: Tourism Western Australia
Continuing the penal theme, the town’s oldest building is the Old Derby Gaol, which was constructed from galvanised iron and bars in the early 1900s. It hints at a fascinating history and a stroll around the Derby Pioneer Cemetery offers another eye-opening glimpse into just how tough life here once was. It is also well worth driving the ‘Pigeon’ Heritage Trail which traces the story of Aboriginal ‘outlaw’ Jandamarra, and tells of his violent run-ins with the authorities.
The Wharfinger’s House Museum is another great place to learn about Derby’s past, and other attractions include the Royal Flying Doctor Base, the Botanical Gardens, and the School of the Air.
Given the remoteness of its location (even ‘nearby’ Broome’ is more than 200 km to the south-west), it is no surprise that Derby is very well serviced and can cater to most travellers’ needs.
There is a good hospital, a number of mechanics, a police station, and a tourist information centre. There are also restaurants, art galleries, shops and, of course, a number of caravan parks to accommodate visiting grey nomads and others. There are also some ‘wilder’ camping alternatives along the Gibb River Road and at some cattle stations.
The large number of tourists drawn to Derby in the season has led to it hosting some superb festivals. Two of the biggest, both held annually in July, are the Mowanjum Festival which celebrates many aspects of indigenous culture, and the week-long Boab Festival which includes a host of fun and richly entertaining activities.
Derby has something for everybody!
