Derby, Tasmania
Derby (/ˈdɜːrbi/ DUR-bee) is a town in north-east Tasmania, Australia, situated at the intersection of the Cascade and Ringarooma Rivers.
| Derby Tasmania | |
|---|---|
Main Street, Derby | |
Derby | |
| Coordinates | 41°09′S 147°48′E |
| Population | 109 (SAL 2021) |
| • 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 |
|
| LGA(s) | Dorset Council |
| State electorate(s) | Bass |
| Federal division(s) | Bass |
Originally established in the 1870s during Tasmania's mining boom, Derby flourished as a hub for tin mining and timber milling. Derby reached its peak in the late 19th century, when its population reached over 3,000, and the Briseis Mine was producing upwards of 120 tonnes (120 long tons; 130 short tons) of tin per month.
On 4 April 1929, the Briseis Dam, which was used by the mine, burst after heavy rains and the Cascade River flooded the town, killing 14 people. The mine eventually reopened in 1934 although it never reached the same level of output as it had in the last century and closed in 1948.
Derby has undergone a remarkable transformation since 2015, emerging as a premier adventure tourism destination for mountain biking in Australia, hosting international enduro events for the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in 2017, 2019 and 2023.
Echoes of Derby's mining heyday are evidenced by prominent landmarks such as the rebuilt Cascade Dam and the imposing Mt Paris Dam, now engulfed by dense myrtle forest upstream. The Tin Dragon Trail monument and graveyard serves as a reminder of the township's Chinese tin miners. Another relic of the past is the Derby Tunnel, a venture of the 1880s aimed at relocating mining waste.