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Things to Do In & Around Derby


HIGHLIGHT***
Mt Hart Wilderness Lodge

Located in the heart of the King Leopold Range surrounded by West Kimberley's magnificent "gorge country", Mt Hart Wilderness Lodge is open from mid April to mid October, catering to a maximum of 27 guests with a dinner, bed and breakfast package. Surrounded by stunning geological features, spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife, and rare flora and fauna (including resident dingoes), Mt Hart Wilderness Lodge is a 10 acre oasis of beautiful lush tropical gardens situated alongside the majestic Barker River. Mt Hart Wilderness Lodge offerscomfortable, and stylish boutique outback accommodation in two traditional 'Kimberley-style' heritage homesteads, as well as some camping facilties. For more information, visit their website HERE (English/Deutsch).

Mt Hart Wilderness Lodge

A Favourite - Kimberley Fishing
Cape Leveque and King Sound, is a spot that beckons anglers from all over Australia because of its excellent fishing, breathtaking scenery and raw power of tidal movement. You'll also enjoy the spectacular wildlife and year-round balmy weather, particulalry during a southern winter. Kimberley Fish & Explore specialise in one to five night Kimberly sport fishing and beach camping safaris, full day fishing adventures and half day mud crabbing tours.
Ph. 0417 176 385, season runs March to September
Website - www.kimberleyfishexplore.com

Fishing in the Kimberley Fishing Derby-style

In Derby

Boab Prison Tree and Myall's Bore
On the outskirts of town (7 km south on the Derby Highway) is the Boab Prison Tree and the Myall's Bore.

The huge boab tree was used as a lockup for Aboriginal prisoners. It was the last stopover point for patrols returning to Derby. Capable of holding a number of prisoners it has an entrance which is about one metre wide and two metres high.

The Bore, originally known as Miyarli Well, was originally sunk by a man called Mayall who in 1912 sank the bore to a depth of 322 metres. The daily flow of water was 315 000 litres. The bore was capped in 1980. Beside the bore stands a huge 120 metre long cattle trough which was built in about 1920 and is reputed to be the longest in the southern hemisphere. It is claimed, although it seems hard to imagine, that when the trough was in use 1000 head of cattle could be watered at one time.

The Derby Wharf/Jetty
The first wharf, built in 1894, was a wooden T shaped structure located at the northern end of the present steel and concrete jetty. It was linked to the town of Derby by a horse drawn tramway, crossing the mud flats via a causeway where the present day road is located. Wool and pearl shell were the major exports in the early days. In 1964, when the new jetty was built, live cattle were exported and fuel, oil and provisions were the main imports. The last passenger ship visited in 1973 . Now-a-days, barges exporting lead and zinc concentrates from the Cadjebut Mine at Fitzroy Crossing and pleasure and tourist craft are the main vessels visiting the jetty. The Jetty is a popular place from which to view the stunning sunsets over King Sound or to fish for silver cobbler, shark, golden grunter, north west salmon and mud crabs on the incoming tides. These tides are Australia’s highest and the second highest in the southern hemisphere.

Community Markets
Clarendon Street (next door to Newsagency)
The Derby CWA Community Markets are held every Saturday from February to December. Regular stalls include produce, food & drinks, plants and art & crafts.

Derby Pioneer Cemetery
Lovegrove Street
The cemetery and Old Gaol are sites on the Pigeon Heritage Trail which tells of the exploits of the Aboriginal Jandamarra. A booklet on the trail can be obtained from the Visitor Centre. At the cemetery one of Jandamarra’s victims, Police Constable William Richardson, is buried. Another interesting grave is that of the Aboriginal Police Tracker "Larry" Kunamarra who was honoured by the Queen for his services. Many graves in the cemetery are without headstones. Well worth a visit.

Derby Golf Course
Ashley Street
The wonderful boab trees, green fairways and putting surfaces make this 18 hole composite course a pleasure to play on for any golfer. Recycled water has enabled the green fairways to be created to a design by well known professional golfer Terry Gale. Visitors are welcome.

 

Around Derby

Gibb River Road
The Gibb River Rd was originally constructed as a beef road to transport cattle from surrounding stations to the ports of Derby and Wyndham. It travels 700km though the central Kimberley Plateau takign in some spectaular Outback countryside. Travellers should seek further information from the Derby Tourist Bureau when planning a trip along this very remote road, particularly during the Wet Season (Nov-Apr) as travel can be severley restricted by flooding.

The Buccaneer Archipelago
The Archipelago is 35 minutes flying time from Derby. It consists of up to 1,000 rugged, sparsely vegetated islands, with patches of rainforest in moist areas, secluded beaches and a fringe of mangroves where silt has accumulated. The islands are rich in bird and animal life with 118 species of bird and 11 species of snake recorded on Koolan Island alone. A tidal range of up to twelve metres is experienced, which creates such phenomena as the horizontal reversible waterfall in Talbot Bay, a must see for any visitor. Rock art on the islands reflects the occupation by Aboriginal people and isolated graves are testimony to the dangers of pearling at the turn of the century. The scars of mining for iron ore can be seen on Koolan and Cockatoo Island. In addition, sea safaris leave Derby on a regular basis between April and November to explore the West Kimberley Coast.

Tourist Information
Derby Tourist Bureau, Derby Cultural Centre
2 Clarendon St
Derby WA 6728
Telephone: (08) 9191 1426
Facsimile: (08) 9191 1609
www.derbytourism.com.au

Derby Visitors Centre