Prison Boab Tree

About Prison Boab Tree

Prison Boab Tree is a things to do venue in Derby, Western Australia.

It has a girth of 14.7 meters and is situated six kilometers south of Derby. While it was believed to have been used as a temporary lock-up for indigenous prisoners in the 1890s, there is no evidence to support this claim.

Boab trees hold great cultural significance among the indigenous Australians of the Western Kimberley. They are considered cherished individuals in the region due to their unique personalities.

Anthropologist Herbert Basedow documented the Derby Boab tree in 1916 during his expedition to the Kimberley region. The myth of the Prison Boab Tree originated in 1948 when artist Vlase Zanalis camped in and around Derby for eight months.

Fascinated by the ancient boab trees in the region, he created an artwork titled ‘The Boab Tree’, which was later exhibited in Sydney. The Albany Advertiser described the tree as a temporary prison, but this story is not supported by historical evidence or Aboriginal histories.

It is believed that the myth of the Prison Boab Tree was transposed from another boab tree in Wyndham. Today, the Prison Boab Tree attracts many tourists who come to witness its massive size and ancient age.

It is protected under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972, making it illegal to damage or tamper with the tree. To preserve its authenticity and protect it from damage caused by human traffic and vehicles, a fence has been erected around the tree.

The Tree is open to the public throughout

Good to know

• Type: Things to Do
• Area: Derby, Western Australia
• Phone: (08) 9191 1426
• Website: visit ↗

Frequently asked questions

Find more things to do in Derby or browse the Derby local guide.