Kimberley - Derby Derby has a tropical climate which is pleasant for most of the year. With warm Winters and hot, humid Summers, the temperature is hardly ever cold. The town is subject to cyclones between December and February, however the warm, torrential rain is a great feature of the wet season. In Summer (December to February), the average maximum temperature is 36°C with an average minimum temperature of 25°C. In Winter (June to August), the average maximum temperature is 32°C with an average minimum temperature of 18°C.
Derby is located between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Equator. It has two main seasons offering very different experiences for visitors.
The Dry Season - May to October These are comfortable months with warm dry days (28-34°C). Nights are cool on the coast (18-20°C) but colder in the ranges. Very little rain falls in these months but showers may occur.
This time of year are the most comfortable months and access to remote locations by road, sea and air is generally possible.
Loose comfortable cotton clothing is recommended for day wear - shorts / cotton trousers with a light windproof jacket and pullover for evenings. A good quality sleeping bag is recommended for night time comfort. We provide a mosquito net on our dome tents and insect repellent is recommended for those camping out.
May - July: The countryside still has a green tinge after the wet and waterholes and water falls are often still flowing. The humidity level is dropping and conditions are very pleasant.
August - September: Streams are confined to waterholes and many smaller waterfalls cease to flow. The countryside is drying out and bird life is collecting around the billabongs. Temperatures increase towards the end of September and can be in the vicinity of 40°C during the day.
The Tropical Summer - November to April This is the season when the humidity is high to very high and an average of 600mm of rain falls in tropical downpours from thunderstorms and cyclones. The boab trees are clothed in leaves and flowers. The barramundi start to bite as the waters warm up. Estuarine and river fishing is usually very rewarding at this time both prior to the rains, and later as river levels drop and the waters clear.
Access to many remote locations and gorges is restricted as flooding of rivers and streams occur. The unsealed roads become impassable and are closed by authorities.
Loose comfortable cotton clothing is recommended. Long sleeved shirts and long trousers plus a good tropical mosquito repellent should be worn.
The coming of the rains can be unpredictable. Some years they come early and others not at all.
October - December: This is usually the build up time for the heavy rains. Temperatures can be very hot (35-42°C) and humidity is increasing. If rains have not fallen the countryside will be dry and the watercourses low. Birds congregate at billabongs and the migratory waders from the northern hemisphere are moving south through the area. (Sep-Nov)
January - April: The rains transform the countryside, the billabongs fill and the birds disperse. Rivers and streams may flood and spectacular waterfalls appear. Temperatures are less extreme as cloud cover is common. Flying in light aircraft is one of the best ways to see the countryside at this time of the year. Access by road off the main highway may be difficult. The migratory waders are returning north during April. As river levels drop fishing for barramundi resumes.
The Bureau of Meteorology provides climate information (observations, warnings and forecasts) for the Kimberley District and local towns.
