The Fitzroy River and Derby – 24 to 27 July 2010

From Broome we drove to Derby a sleepy coastal town on the mouth of the Fitzroy River. We stopped at the Boab Prison Tree outside town and then drove in. It being Sunday when we arrived the town looked very small and abandoned.

This is because they put the cyclone shutters down when the shops close. Come Monday, the shutters open and presto there is a lovely little country town.

Derby has the largest tidal range in Australia at approximately 11.8 meters. It is also where the salt water crocodiles range begins.

The jetty is a nice place to sit and watch the fishermen and the tide and John got quite interested in mud crabbing.

There are two very nice cafes we found, an Italian Cafe the Jila Cafe and The Point Cafe on the jetty. The Point Cafe is laid back and a bit disorganized but is a nice place to have a coffee and watch the tide change.

From the Jila Cafe ( excellent) we learnt that Sandalwood is great for repelling mosquitoes and we have now enjoyed several mosquito less dinners. It is nicer and works better than citronella and is easier to carry. It is made by New Mountain Sandalwood www.newmountain.com.au and we bought it at the local Woolworths in Derby.