About Derby
Given the relative proximity of Broome (it is only 222 km down the road), Derby has the quality of a Cinderella, overwhelmed by her more “important” big sister. It is a small service town with a huge wharf surrounded by unique and special attractions.
Given the relative proximity of Broome (it is only 222 km down the road), Derby has the quality of a Cinderella, overwhelmed by her more “important” big sister. It is a small service town with a huge wharf surrounded by unique and special attractions.
Its importance for visitors lies in its position at the western end of the Gibb River Road; its closeness to Mowanjum Aboriginal Art & Culture Centre with its magical exhibition of Wandjina creation images; its fascinating, if disturbing, Boab Prison tree; its access to the largest coral reef in Australia; its regular flights to the magical Horizontal Falls; and its magical story of Jandamarra (Pigeon), the daring local Aborigine who outwitted the local police and became a hero to his people.
Derby is a strange outback town which, like so many of the towns in the Kimberley, is more important because of the surrounding attractions rather than any appeal that might exist within the town. It is famed for its huge tides which, at their extreme, rise and fall up to 11.8 metres leaving the town surrounded by vast mud flats. (sourced from the Aussie Towns website – click for more).
Why Derby?
Traveled to Derby from Broome (maplink), with Gwyn & Bill, so we would be ready to do the “Horizontal Falls” the next day. We had already booked accommodation but one look at the place and it was a unanimous vote to find somewhere else – should have realised it when it was half the cost of anywhere else! So we ended up at the Spinifex Hotel which was real nice.
Must admit though there is not much to do in Derby so it was good that it was just an overnighter. The main street looks great with a line of Boab Trees down the centre.
We took a short drive to the Mowanjum Aboriginal Art & Culture Centre which was pretty interesting. The art gallery consists mainly of paintings of Wandjina; who in the Kimberly Aboriginal culture is the supreme Creator and a symbol of fertility and rain. Tip – see the video before the artwork, then it all makes sense. Worth the short trip.
The other main attraction in Derby is the Wharf which should be visited at sunset. It (apparently) has the largest tide difference in Australia of about 11 metres. We had lunch at the Wharf Cafe which was pretty nice.
Derby main street Boabs
