Darby River, Victoria

This article is about the former settlement. For the river, see Darby River.

Darby River Victoria
Darby River meanders looking north east from foot of Darby Hill
Darby River Location in South Gippsland Shire
Coordinates	38°58′35″S 146°16′40″E
Population	0 (?)[1]
Postcode(s)	3959
Elevation	2 m (7 ft)
Location	241 km (150 mi) SE of Melbourne 46 km (29 mi) SE of Fish Creek
LGA(s)	South Gippsland Shire
State electorate(s)	Gippsland South
Federal division(s)	McMillan

Darby River is a locality in Gippsland in southeastern Victoria, Australia. Located within Wilson's Promontory National Park, it was the location of the original park entrance, ranger station and accommodation centre from 1909 until the Second World War. Often referred to just as The Darby, it was the location of the National Park Committee of Management Rooms from about 1909, a Ranger's cottage from 1913, and the 'Chalet' for tourist accommodation from 1923. The Chalet began as a small 6 room building and expanded to more than 24 accommodation rooms, kitchen, dining hall, bathrooms and the like.^[2] During World War Two the area was the site of the Headquarters Camp of the No 7 Commando Training Centre.^[3] At this time large numbers of huts and tents were erected and the Chalet was taken over for the Officers Mess. Following the war most of the buildings were removed or fell into disrepair and were demolished. The Ranger's House was moved to Tidal River.

References

1. Victoria's Heritage, Wilson's Promontory National Park, by Daniel Catrice, circa 1994
2. Garnet, J. Roslyn, (with additional chapters by Terry Synan and Daniel Catrice) A History of Wilsons Promontory, Published by the Victorian National Parks Association
3. No. 7 Infantry Training Centre For Commandos

External links

• Photograph of the Chalet, State Library, Victoria