Gantheaume Point, located just offshore Broome, boasts stunning coastal scenery that includes an eye-catching lighthouse, fossilised dinosaur footprints, and a natural rock pool – making it one of the main tourist draws in Broome.
Make sure to visit at low tide to witness dinosaur footprints preserved in reef rocks, and stop by Anastasia’s Pool – an artificial rock pool built by an early lighthouse keeper for his wife who suffered from arthritis.
Dinosaur Footprints
Gantheaume Point boasts 120 million-year-old dinosaur footprints that can only be seen at low tide, creating an astonishing sight that only becomes apparent. These footprints offer an invaluable way to learn about dinosaurs as they provide clues as to size and behavior of dinosaurs; such as whether they were walking or running; stride length; claw marks or even digit shapes can even sometimes be revealed from these tracks.
Dinosaur footprints may be rare to come by, but their use is immense. Scientists use dinosaur footprints as evidence of dinosaur lives as well as interactions with other animals and the environment. Fossils also help interpret how supercontinents disassembled into our seven continents today.
To create and preserve dinosaur footprints, the appropriate conditions must be present. The ground must be soft enough for prints to leave an imprint, yet hard enough to hold their position on the track. Furthermore, surrounding sediment can impact both its shape and detail of the track by compressing or filling in specific clues beneath its actual footprint – known as subprints or ghost prints.
Gantheaume footprints were first exposed in 1908 after erosion tore away their protective covering layer of rock, and since then researchers have slowly unearthed more and more of them, uncovering their extraordinary geological history.
Some of the tracks appear to belong to three-toed theropod dinosaurs, while others likely belong to lumbering four-legged sauropods and ornithischians with pelvic structures similar to birds’. Likely made by herds of these massive animals as they traveled together searching for food or shelter along coastlines and mudflats of this region.
Gantheaume offers some stunning dinosaur tracks if you visit between April and November when conditions are dry, cool and low tide is more consistent. Be sure to bring along your camera as there are stunning rock formations and turquoise waters here that you must explore thoroughly!
Anastasia’s Pool
Gantheaume Point can be found at the southern end of Cable Beach and offers breathtaking ocean views, but many visitors don’t realise its prehistoric history either.
Dinosaur footprints have been preserved in Gantheaume Point reef rock and can be viewed during low tide. Estimating them as around 120 million years old, these unique dinosaur footprints make for an exciting visit for nature lovers!
Gantheaume Point also houses an exquisite natural pool known as Anastasia’s Pool, modified by former lighthouse keeper Patrick Percy to serve his arthritic wife’s therapeutic bathing needs. Filled with warm seawater, she would swim and soak up sunrays for hours on end in this lovely sanctuary, to find comfort from pain.
This was once a favorite spot for locals looking to relax and spend their day. Unfortunately, storm damage in 2014 severely compromised this venue; only some original walls remain standing now. But you can still view its beauty; visit here as it provides great photo opps!
Gantheaume Point can be reached easily from Broome town center by car in 10 minutes and located within Minyirr Park of Kimberley Region in Western Australia. However, you may also reach the point by helicopter or through guided tour from your accommodation in Broome.
Gantheaume Point offers plenty of dinosaur footprints all year long, but we recommend visiting between April and November as temperatures are more comfortable, dry conditions prevail and tide levels are at their lowest points less regularly – giving visitors more of an opportunity to view prehistoric prints while seeing more of the surrounding cliffs than at other times of the year.
Gantheaume Point offers many activities to enjoy – from walking and hiking trails to lazing on beautiful beaches or taking in breathtaking sunsets. We suggest packing up a picnic and bottle of wine and watching it together at sunset while taking some quiet time away from other tourists.
The Lighthouse
Gantheaume Point offers breathtaking contrast between its deep pindan red cliffs and turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, just a short drive from Broome’s town centre. Popular with both residents and visitors alike on weekends for boat launching or just relaxing with family or friends during sunset hours; also a departure point for kayak tours, fishing charters and whale watching cruises that leave from Gantheaume Point Beach.
Beach is an idyllic vantage point to capture the breathtaking sights of Broome and Kimberley region. Additionally, Gantheaume Point lighthouse stands as an iconic landmark on Western Australia’s North West coast.
Built in 1905, this 47ft open braced steel tower served its original purpose until being decommissioned and replaced with a stainless steel skeletal trellis tower in 1984. There remain remnants of a stone chimney used to house lighthouse keepers during this time; today its visibility extends up to 18 nautical miles. Now operated by the government with electric lighting replacing oil lamps revolving lights powered by solar energy also making up part of this prominent coastal feature and family of nesting ospreys nesting within its confines!
Gantheaume Point offers visitors a relaxing walk along a well-worn path leading to casts of dinosaur footprints that can be seen during very low tide. It is one of only seven locations worldwide where real dinosaur tracks can be viewed in reef rock. Anastasia’s Pool, carved into the rocks by a lighthouse keeper for his wife with arthritis is also located here.
Make sure to visit Gantheaume Point during a full moon, when its tidal pools and lagoons come alive with vibrant coral colors forming an unforgettable scene. Also plan to be here during a sunset when the sun makes its appearance over red craggy cliffs altering both ocean and sky colours for postcard-worthy photos.
The Cliffs
Broome was home to an abundance of dinosaur life during its Cretaceous period (145 million to 66 million years ago), when its tropical coastline was home to an enormous river delta full of dinosaurs. Travellers can witness some of this history at Gantheaume Point and nearby James Price Point on Dampier Peninsula when tide levels are low; footprints from all major groups including Tyrannosaurus rex, armoured ankylosaurs, vegetarian ornithopods such as Stegosaurus as well as enormous sauropods can all be seen when low tide rolls in at Gantheaume Point or James Price Point on Dampier Peninsula.
Gantheaume Point is ideal between April and November when temperatures are cooler and tide levels more regularly low; however, don’t despair if this period passes without you visiting; its beauty remains year-round!
If you happen to arrive during a beautiful sunset, the scene will take your breath away. Rugged natural formations surrounded by sparkling waters create breathtaking images.
Gantheaume Point not only boasts geological wonders, but is also of immense cultural importance for Dampier and Western Kimberley residents. The sandstone cliffs at its tip serve as sacred grounds and gathering points for indigenous communities.
Gantheaume Point is one of the must-do activities when visiting Broome, and booking a tour is highly recommended if you want to ensure you see its famous dinosaur footprints, which only become visible at low tide.
Gantheaume Point can be reached via a scenic stroll from Cable Beach – locally known as Minyirr – lasting 7km roundtrip and serviced by bus during tourist season, leaving from Broome’s town centre. Driving can also reach it along Kavite Road; though please be wary as its route features long stretches of dirt roads with corrugations; for an easier option there’s also an early morning bus that connects directly from Gantheaume Point itself.