A brief history of the development of Derby

Aboriginal people had already been here for tens of thousands of year by the time Europeans first saw and mapped the Kimberley coast - though that was long before Captain Cook landed at Botany Bay. Indeed, William Dampier, another Englishman, landed in King Sound in 1688, a houndred years before the First Fleet. The French too, sailed this area in the 1700s, naming many local features along the way.

Alexander Forrest made the first journey of overland exploration through the West Kimberley in 1879. His glowing reports led to pastroal settlement of the region - which subsequently led to the establishment of the Derby port in 1880. Frank Hann in 1898 and Fred Brockman (1901) were responsible for filling in much of the map of the region, leading to yet more stations being established.

The Town of Derby developed rather slowly, being primarily a service centre for local pastoralists. Not surprisingly, all were hampered by the isolation and the rugged, inhospitable and unfamiliar conditions. However, a townsite was declared in 1883, and the West Kimberley Road Board District was established four years later.

Over the ensuing decades the town grew considerably, especially as better connection were established with the world beyond. It is this story of the early years Derby's History that is told on the 29 interpretive panels if the Heritage Trail.

Pack a hat, sunscreen, and some water, and start behind the community hub to take a walk through the fascinating history of our town. Make your way clockwise to uncover the rich heritage and stories that shaped our community.