Tasmania (East Coast Region)

Derby
Derby was once a thriving tin mining township, in its heyday having a population of 3 000, and home to the Briseis mine, the richest find in the area. The mines are now closed and Derby today is a quiet old town with a population of only 300. 

The Derby school and some of the old mine buildings have been transformed into a mine museum, which displays the fascinating history of tin mining in the South East. The complex also includes a shanty town with a blacksmiths shed, mine office, miner's cottage, general store and butchers shop.

DERBY, on the Ringarooma River, was made prosperous by the profitable Briseis Tin Mine that operated in the town between 1876 and 1952. The Derby Tin Mine Centre (daily: June–Aug 10am–4pm; Sept–May 10am–5pm; $4) is now the only sign of development in a town that’s been closing down since the 1950s: it has some interesting relics connected with the Chinese miners and examples of gemstones fossicked in the area.