What’s special about Derby?

• Mountains, rainforests and old tin mines surround this classified historic town.
• In the late 1800s Derby became a booming mining settlement.

Visit the Derby Tin Mine Centre where you can learn about Derby’s early days and pan to find your own nuggets. The town retains the atmosphere of its pioneering history, when George Renison Bell discovered tin. You can explore quaint shops for antiques, second-hand books, modern crafts and enjoy a traditional Devonshire tea.

In 2003, an archaeological excavation at a Chinese mining hut unearthed thousands of artifacts, including what might be Australia’s oldest soy sauce bottle. The discovery revealed a fascinating story of the Chinese mining community that lived and worked the area in the late 1800s.

One of the interesting side effects of the mine is Blue Lake, on the B82 Highway, between Pioneer and Gladstone. The Lake was formed from the waters used in sluicing the ore but it is the most stunning shade of blue.

In October each year, you can enjoy the madcap Derby River Derby - a river race with very different rules. The event also includes plenty of dry activity including wood-chopping displays, children’s rides, craft stalls, music and of course plenty to eat and drink.

More things to do:

The Trail of the Tin Dragon
Bankhouse Manor

The story of Derby:

The history of the Chinese in northern Tasmania begins in the 1870s, as soon as tin was discovered, and by 1891 there were around 1,000 Chinese miners working in the area. The town was originally called Brother's Home, named for the Krushka brothers' mine, but in 1897 the name was changed to Derby in honour of the then Prime Minister of England, the Earl of Derby. Derby prospered and at one point it was the richest tin mine in north east Tasmania, but operations stopped in 1934.

Travel directions:

The town is about one hour and 15 minutes’ drive (104 kilometres/65 miles) north east of Launceston on Highway A3.