DAYS 65 - 66 Pilbara – Kimberley Trip
BROOME - DERBY
Saturday morning at the Broome markets was again a buzz of activity. I noted that the artist from the Broome Factory were out in full force at the market, each with their own stall. After a nice refreshing Mango Sling thick drink we topped up with fuel and were on our way to Derby.
We passed through what is known as Tombstone Valley with its thousands of termite mounds. The local indigenous people refer to the termite mounds as Jildkar. They have outstanding and enduring features of indigenous religious beliefs and practice as they would intern the remains of their dead in active mounds and in a very short time they would be re-sealed by the termites.
We made the decision to go via Purnulu and Kununurra to the Gibb River Road and do it north to south not south to north as originally planned. After a lunch stop at the Nillibubbica Rest Area we got back in the car but it would not kick over. Apparently the earth wire on the starter motor was loose. Hubby calmed got under the car and tightened the relevant bolt and we were on our way. Thank goodness he is a good bush mechanic.
The scenery now consisted of spear grasses interspersed with gums, boabs and lanky bunt out bloodwood trees.
There was a smoky haze in the distance from the burn offs in the area. Then we came across the burn off with small fires burning alongside the road.
The Fitzroy River was running and the area alongside was full of waterholes and mangroves. Luckily there was a bridge to go across it.
Finally we arrived in Derby a town that was established in 1883. It is a small, clean town with lovely wide streets and boabs everywhere.
We stayed at the Kimberley Gateway Caravan Park. A really huge 5 wheeler was parked next to us with a truck as the towing vehicle. The couple who owned it had been travelling in it 7 years. In the evening we went to the local church before coming back to a lovely stir fry dinner.
In the morning we explored Derby. We went to the jetty and Min was quite excited about being able to drive all around the jetty as it goes out then turns 90 degrees and then after some distance turns back 90 degrees for the other leg back to shore. The tide was coming in whilst we were there. Derby has the highest tides in Australia and they can be as high as 11.8 metres.
Right near the jetty is the Centenary Pavillion where the local community has put together a very impressive mosaic that captures who we are as a nation.
The unifying design element was the snake – the symbol of life, the creator. The snake is shown protecting and nurturing eggs that are represented by floral symbols of each state and territory. Eight themes are represented in the design – land, sea, wet season, dry season, pre-settlement, pioneering, people and industry.
We then drove to the old goal built in 1880. It was used to hold up to 60 Aboriginals in one cell. It was not a pleasant sight particularly as it had been in use till 1975.
We finally made our way to the Prison Boab Tree that is very impressive because of its size.
The termite mound next to it was competing in girth size.
Close to it is the trough feeding of Myalls Bore that used to provide water for 500 bullocks at any one time. There are lots of lovely boabs around here. Hubby decided to pick one.
From here we started to make our way along the Gibb to the absolutely stunning Mowanjun Arts and Cultural Centre. The building itself is amazing as it is in the shape of the Wandjina. The works displayed were beautiful. A lot of boab nut carvings were also on display but were not for sale.
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