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Western Australia (Far North - Kimberleys) |
| Derby | |
| Situated
36km north of the coastal highway on a flat spur of land jutting into the
mud flats of King Sound, DERBY is a mineral exploration base and an
administrative centre for local Aboriginal communities. It is one of the original and best known towns of the Kimberley
region.
The revival of Aboriginal heritage is strong in the Derby West -Kimberley Shire. Mowanjum ("settled at last"), on the outskirts of Derby, was one of the first independent communities established in the area. Derby is an ideal base for excursions and air tours to the variety of attractions including the ranges, plains, scenic coastline and river gorges of the Kimberley. In fact, it is now known as the "Gateway to the gorges". There’s precious little reason for tourists to visit the town other than to refuel at the end of a Gibb River Road crossing or perhaps take a scenic flight over the West Kimberley coastline (from $130; ask at the tourist office). Without your own transport you’ll find the spread-out town hard work to navigate. |
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| Boab Prison Tree This hollow Boab has a girth of 14m and is located 7km south of Derby. The Aboriginal outlaw Jandamarra (Pigeon) may have used the tree as an overnight cell before the final trek into Derby. The Australian Boab, similar to the African Baobab, is found only in the Kimberley and Northern Territory. The Gibb River Road starts just east of Derby and cuts straight across the Kimberley, rejoining the tarmac near Wyndham 667km further on. If you are heading east and want to see Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek, follow the Gibb River Road for 119km to the Windjana turn-off. From here you rejoin the Great Northern Highway after 123km. This section is no problem in dry weather in a 2WD and is more interesting (and only 30km longer) than following the highway to Fitzroy Crossing, 256km from Derby. The tourist office (Mon–Fri 8.30am–4.30pm, Sat 8.30–11.30am; tel 08/9191 1426) is on Clarendon Street, where buses also arrive. If you’re desperate, places to stay include the Spinifex Hotel, the town’s main pub with ultra-basic dorms and small, budget motel rooms. With your own transport you’ll be much more comfortable at the West Kimberley Lodge, at 17 Sutherland St, a guesthouse with shared facilities; or the Derby Boab Inn on Loch Street. Most luxery accommodation in town is the nice King Sound Resort. There’s a good restaurant at the Boab, but for something special (and expensive) try the Wharf seafood restaurant, out by the wharf (daily from 6.30pm; closed Jan & Feb), which also does takeaways. Events |
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