Derby, Tasmania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids DerbyTasmania |
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Main Street, Derby
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 Derby
Location in Tasmania
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| • Density | 2.69/km2 (7.0/sq mi) |
| Established | 1874 |
| Postcode(s) | 7264 |
| Elevation | 164 m (538 ft) |
| Area | 77.7 km2 (30.0 sq mi) |
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | Dorset Council |
| State electorate(s) | Bass |
| Federal Division(s) | Bass |
Derby is a small town in north-east Tasmania, Australia. It is located where the Cascade and Ringarooma Rivers meet.
The town started in the 1870s during Tasmania's mining boom. Derby became a busy place for tin mining and timber milling. It was most active in the late 1800s. At that time, over 3,000 people lived there. The Briseis Mine produced more than 120 tonnes of tin each month.
On April 4, 1929, a big flood hit Derby. The Briseis Dam, used by the mine, burst after heavy rains. The Cascade River then flooded the town, and 14 people sadly lost their lives. The mine reopened in 1934 but never produced as much tin as before. It finally closed in 1948.
Since 2015, Derby has changed a lot. It is now a top spot for adventure tourism and mountain biking in Australia. The town has even hosted big international mountain biking events. These include the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in 2017, 2019, and 2023.
You can still see signs of Derby's mining past today. These include the rebuilt Cascade Dam and the large Mt Paris Dam. The Tin Dragon Trail monument and a graveyard remind us of the Chinese tin miners who worked there. The Derby Tunnel, built in the 1880s, is another old mining feature.
Derby's Past: A Look at Its History
The area around Derby was home to the local North East nation for over 10,000 years. This was long before British settlers arrived in Tasmania.
The land was first mapped in 1855. But people did not settle there until 1874. This was when George Renison Bell found tin in the area. The Krushka brothers found a large amount of tin. They started a mine called The Brothers Mine. This mine helped the town's economy grow. The town was first called Brother's Home. It was later renamed Derby, likely after Edward Smith-Stanley, a British Prime Minister.
The Brother's Home Post Office opened on August 1, 1882. It was renamed Derby in 1885.
In 1923, a new Derby Hall was built. It replaced an older hall from 1888. George Albert Rodman, who lived in Derby, built the hall for £1,200. Another £300 was spent on furniture. The hall officially opened on Thursday, July 12, 1923. Over 350 people came to the opening. The Branxholm Orchestra played music for everyone.
Derby also had a railway line. It connected Launceston to Herrick, which was 4 km from Moorina. The railway line through Derby station opened on March 15, 1919. It ran through the hills about 2 km from the town. The railway closed in April 1992.
Mountain Biking: Derby's New Adventure
The Dorset Council received a $2.5 million grant. This money came from the Federal Government. The council then looked for ways to boost tourism in national parks. They approved a 20 km mountain bike experience called the Blue Derby Pods Ride.
About 30 km of new trails opened in 2015. This cost over $3 million. The town quickly became very popular.
In 2017, a further 125 km of mountain bike trails opened. These trails wind through the wooded hills around Derby. They go through old rainforests. There are trails for all skill levels and riding styles.
Mountain biking magazines around the world noticed Derby. The town hosted a round of the Enduro World Series in April 2017. After this, Derby welcomed about 30,000 visitors each year. The trails were expected to bring in much more money than they cost to build.
These changes have also brought some challenges for the people who live in Derby.
In March 2019, Derby hosted round two of the Enduro World Series again.
Because mountain biking was so successful in Derby, more trails opened. These new trails were on Mount Heemskirk on the West Coast in 2020.
Fun Events: Festivals in Derby
Derby used to host the Derby River Derby in October. This was a fun river race with homemade or inflatable rafts. It was a friendly competition. In 2008, about 4,000 people attended the race. Up to 1,000 people from around Tasmania took part. The event was stopped in 2018 because there were not enough volunteers to help run it.
