Wharfinger House Museum

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Muddy waters

Situated on the edge of the Derby marsh, surrounded by the iconic boab trees of this region, stands the Wharfinger House Museum. Built in the 1920s, it is situated in the former home of the manager of Derby’s jetty (Wharfinger). Its eclectic collection, developed from donations by West Kimberley residents and government departments, reflects the changing history of the region with a focus on the importance of Derby as the former primary port for exports and a regional administrative and communications centre of the north west. As a consequence, many Aboriginal groups came to live and work at Boodolar, the Warrwa and Nyikina name for Derby. In its modest way, the Museum seeks to honour their cultural stories and contributions to the region.

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Address:

3 Elder Street
Derby WA 6728
Australia

Tel:

(08) 9191 1426

Email:

libmanager@sdwk.wa.gov.au

Opening Hours

Accessible by collecting the key from the Derby Visitor Centre at 30 Loch St

Portrait of Sam Lovell, artist unknown

Innovator and leader

One of the museum’s most dedicated supporters is Sam Lovell OA—songman, drover, croc hunter, stockman, saddler, gardener, road maker, tour guide and passionate resident of Derby and the West Kimberley...

Bark canoe and mangrove raft

Aboriginal watercraft

The Saltwater people of the Kimberly made this canoe, from locally sourced bark. It was suited to the calmer waters of the north Kimberley inlets and bays, whereas the more stable raft was adapted to...

Derby airport console

Connecting the Kimberley to Australia

Hands on! This is one of the most popular items on display. Many may have forgotten that Derby, not Broome, was the regional administrative centre for the West Kimberley, including host to the...

University of Notre Dame Australia, Broome Campus

Collecting the Kimberley through art

Since its inception as an educational campus for Kimberley communities, the University of Notre Dame’s campus in Broome has also been committed to collecting and exhibiting the art generated from...

Pearl Luggers by Willie Creek

A real pearler

At the Pearl Luggers, now part of Willie Creek Pearls, you will discover the rich and fascinating history of pearling in Broome and be captivated by the tales of the sea, the people, and the legends...

Kimberley Language Resource Centre

Keeping language strong in the Kimberley

The Kimberley Language Resource Centre (KLRC) is the peak regional languages organisation of the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Incorporated in 1985 as an independent, Aboriginal corporation...

City of Karratha Local History Archives

Karratha's local history

Located in the stunning Red Earth Arts Precinct built in 2018 that incorporates a public library, a dual-purpose theatre/cinema,rehearsal spaces and exhibition areas, the City of Karratha Local...