Derby

On the vast King Island Sound, about 220km north-east of Broome, the rough and ready Kimberley port town of Derby is notable for several amazing physical features.

First and foremost there are the strong rips and gigantic tides which make the port a difficult and dangerous one for shipping to navigate. Then there"s the famed "Prison Tree" just outside town - a big boab tree with a 2m-high opening and a hollowed-out centre which, it is said, was used to hold prisoners waiting to appear at the local court house. Further, locals claim that the water trough at Myalls Bore - 120m long and 1.2m wide - is the biggest water trough in the southern hemisphere. Derby is only a short cruise away from the magnificent Buccaneer Archipelago where you"ll see the amazing tidal feature called the Horizontal Waterfall and find a paradise of deserted islands.

Scenic flights with a choice of short stopovers at Cape Leveque, Mt Hart Station, Bell Gorge or Windjana Gorge give an aerial view of the captivating scenery of the Buccaneer Archipelago, Walcott Inlet, the Prince Regent River, Mt Trafalgar and Mitchell Falls.

Festivals - King Tide Day (May), Moonrise Rock Festival & Mowanjum Festival ((June), Boab Festival (July)

Things to do

Botanic Gardens

Old Derby Gaol

Wharfinger House Museum - with photographs

Derby Wharf - to measure the enormous difference between high and low tide

Visitor Information Centre - 2 Clarendon St, Derby

In the area

Charter boats & flights - to Buccaneer Archipelago, Walcott Inlet, the Prince Regent River, Mt Trafalgar and Mitchell Falls.

Crabbing Tours

Pigeon Heritage Trail - from Windjana Gorge to Derby

Boab Prison Tree - 7 km out of town

Windjana Gorge - in the National Park for spectacular scenery and rock art

Find out more about the Kimberley region of WA.