Wharfinger House Museum

Get directions

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.

Visit website

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...

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...

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...

Neil Baker Shell Collection

Shells galore

This extraordinary shell collection is one of the largest in Australia. Collected over the last 70 years by fisherman and boat builder Neil Baker, the shells come from all over Australia and the...

Shire of Derby, West Kimberley Library Overview

Shire of Derby / West Kimberley Library - local studies collection

Muddy Waters

Named after the Earl of Derby, the town has a rich colonial history as the first regional and administrative centre, supporting the sheep and cattle stations of the west Kimberley. Keeper of this...

City of Karratha Art Collection

Pilbara artists and much more

Located in the Red Earth Arts Precinct a state-of-the-art performance and art centre that was built in 2018, the City of Karratha’s impressive art collection comprises many of the acquisitive prize...

Argyle Homestead Museum

Kings in Grass Castles

Stone by stone, the Argyle Homestead was moved from its original site,now under the waters of the ‘top dam’ on the Ord River, to its current home on the edge of Lake Argyle. It was the former home of...