DERBY - POPULATION: 4,500

SUNDAY 1 - WEDNESDAY 4.09.2013: We left the Boab Tree Rest Area with a menagerie of flying insects - we are hopeful the insects will eats the ants! At times you just love the great outdoors! Arrived at Derby and booked into the West Kimberley Lodge and Caravan Park for a week of R & R - yes we know we are on a permanent holiday. Derby developed as a Port to service the pastoral properties along the Fitzroy River after the exploration of the area by Alexander Forrest in 1879. Half the population are Aboriginal Australians with three different Aboriginal languages. Derby is the main base for the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Kimberley. The base was established in Derby in 1955. The highest of all Australian tides and the second highest in the world (to Nova Scotia) occur here, with high tides up to 11.8m and low tides as low as 1.5m.

BOAB PRISION TREE - before Derby was established in 1883, Aboriginal people were kidnapped from the West Kimberley. The kidnappers known as 'blackbirders', were settlers who were connected with the pearling industry. They wanted divers and workers for the pearling boats. They rounded people up, put them in chains and marched them to the coast. Some may have held their captives at the Boab Prison Tree while they waited for a boat. Legend has it that in the extreme heat the prisoners remained outside the Boab tree and the guards took refuge inside the trunk.

The Boab Prison Tree is one of a number of larrkardiy (which falls into a category called malaji), around Derby that are considered by Indigenous people to be imbued with special mystical forces. According to Ngarrangkani or Traditional Law, people who injure a malaji, or intrude upon one without authority expose themselves to the prospect of retribution by theses forces.

MYALLS BORE CATTLE TROUGH - The cattle trough is 120 metres long and was built in 1917. It handled 500 bullocks at one time. Flow started to drop off from the bore and the water is now pumped into the trough by windmill.

Visited the Mowanjum Art and Culture Centre and Norval Gallery (Mark Norval was in residence). If only one had more disposable income!

THE DERBY WHARF: 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, where the present day road is located. In 1964 the new jetty was built and the last passenger ship visited in 1973. Drove Poodle Palace onto the wharf and set ourselves up for a spot of fishing. No that is not a fish on Carole's line - that would be the strength of the tide! 

Managed to slot in a haircut with what we believe was a 10 year old hairdresser - did a good job, but strangely as you age all the 'youngins' seem to get younger!