Broome western Australia is a beautiful coastal outback destination with a lot to offer. It’s the western gateway to the Kimberley region, renowned for its turquoise water and red-hued cliffs.
A pearling industry built this unique town, and visitors can now discover its fascinating history on a tour to a local pearl farm. Or check out the world’s oldest outdoor cinema, various art galleries and breweries that display Broome’s unique culture.
Cable Beach
Cable Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Broome western australia and is home to a long stretch of powdery white sand that contrasts against the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. It’s a popular tourist destination and offers plenty of things to do for visitors, from camel rides and south sea pearls to water sports and sunset cruises.
The best time to visit Cable Beach is during the dry season, when days are warm and skies are clear. It’s also the best time to see snubfin dolphins.
You can catch a glimpse of these majestic creatures on a morning or sunset cruise. You may even spot bottlenose dolphins, turtles and dugongs if you’re lucky.
Alternatively, you can book a tour that will take you on a guided walk along the rich mangrove ecosystem. Yawuru man Bart Pigram will tell you the stories of the area’s ancient Dreamtime stories and modern tales as he points out the different plants and animals in this pristine environment.
This is a great option for those who are looking to escape the crowds. You can also hire a four-wheel drive to explore the area north of the cliffs, which is where most camel rides are taken.
The white sands of Cable Beach beckon visitors to indulge in various water-related activities such as kayaking, surfing and jet skiing. You can also eat some delicious food at the many restaurants that offer a wide range of dishes for you to try.
Gantheaume Point
Set against a backdrop of red rugged cliffs, Gantheaume Point offers a one-of-a-kind landscape that stretches into the Indian Ocean. This scenic spot is also home to a series of 130 million-year-old dinosaur footprints preserved in reef rock that can be seen at low tide.
If you are planning a trip to Broome western Australia, you can opt for a half- or full-day tour that includes a stop at this impressive site. The tours often include visits to Cable Beach and the Japanese Cemetery, and some even offer helicopter rides.
Another must-see is Anastasia’s Pool, a natural spa pool carved out of the rocky cliff by a former lighthouse keeper to provide therapeutic warm water for his arthritic wife. This is one of the most beautiful places to see in Broome, especially at sunset.
You can visit the area at any time of the day but the most spectacular views are during sunrise and sunset when the cliffs appear to glow red against the ocean. If you are a photographer, you will be delighted to see the cliffs change their hues as the sun spills across them and settles on the horizon.
If you want to take a closer look at the history of the place, you can book a guided tour to Gantheaume Point. This is a great option for first-timers, as you will learn more about the region’s past. For a more intimate experience, you can also hire a guide from Unique Kimberley who can arrange bespoke itineraries for both land and sea.
Roebuck Bay
A favourite of locals and travellers alike, Roebuck Bay is a place to explore the colours of nature’s tidal cycle. You can take a stroll along the beach at low tide, see dinosaur prints, watch humpback whales and flatback turtles pass by or enjoy an Aussie sunset drink with locals.
You can also join a cultural tour of the area to learn about Yawuru sea country. Here you’ll experience the saltwater customs of the Djab Wurrung and Jardwadjali people, and get a closer look at how the ancient Yawuru used the mangroves for fishing, hunting and gathering.
It’s also a great spot for watching the Staircase to the Moon, a natural phenomenon that happens on certain nights of the year combining full moon and low tide. This is a truly special experience and one that you won’t want to miss!
Getting there:
Broome is located in the North West of Australia, around a 2-hour drive from Perth. It has a vibrant foodie scene and is known for its pearls, but also offers some exciting cultural activities. For the adventurous, there are numerous opportunities to explore the region by boat or on foot.
Humpback Whales
Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) are enormous creatures that can grow up to 19 metres long and weigh more than 40 tonnes. They’re known for their haunting and melodic songs and for breaching the water with amazing acrobatic abilities.
During their winter breeding season, humpbacks travel northwards from Antarctica to their usual nursery grounds in warmer tropical waters. Then, as the seasons change, calving females and juveniles start heading back south.
Broome has the best chance to see these giants when they make their way up the west coast each year. The west coast is regarded as one of the world’s most important humpback whale birthing and rearing areas, with cows heading to Camden Sound Marine Park for months to give birth and raise their calves before making the long trip back down south to Antarctic waters.
When you’re in Broome, it’s worth booking a boat tour with a company that has experience in whale interaction along WA’s coastline. This company, which has been running whale watching cruises since 2007, has a 100 per cent success rate and guarantees sightings of whales between July and September.
During the humpback whale migration from Antarctica to Broome each year, you’ll be able to watch a mixture of behaviours from these magnificent creatures; energetic breaching, playful antics and nurturing periods between mother and calf whales. This is a truly unforgettable and awe-inspiring experience, mother nature at her best.
Matso’s Beers
As the country’s most remote brewery, Matso’s entices with rustic timber floors and oak barrels. Pull up a stool at the bar and partake in a menu designed to marry each dish to a beer produced on site, or sit alfresco on the verandah and take in beautiful views over Roebuck Bay.
The brewery’s most impressive feat is its on-site, custom designed brewing system that allows it to produce some of Australia’s finest ginger beer and mango beer (in the appropriate flavours). Not only is this a great way to quench your thirst, but it also allows you to see how the end result actually works.
There’s no question that a lot of thought went into the production process and the results are some of the best alcoholic beverages you’ll have in Broome. The brewery’s flagship brew is the Mango Beer, a fruity beer that will leave you feeling refreshed after your day on the beach.
The brewery also produces a few other beers, including the Pearler’s Pale Ale and Smokey Bishop Dark Lager, both of which are available on tap in Broome and bottled across the eastern seaboard. The brewery also makes a number of sweet, pre-mixed drinks that are sure to impress. The latest additions to the mix are Hard Berry and Hard Melon – two tasty beverages that are well worth a try if you’re looking for something more than just a glass of water.
Sun Pictures
Sun Pictures is a world-class tourist attraction and a major reason to visit Broome. This iconic double-fronted tin building is home to the world’s oldest outdoor cinema. It has survived bombings, devastating cyclones and killer king tides, but still screens movies to this day.
The world’s first outdoor movie theatre has a unique appeal, bringing together stargazing and cinema in one location. It is open to the public and runs two shows daily, so it’s a great place to relax under the stars while watching your favourite film.
When we went, we were greeted by the very friendly staff and they even helped us with our bags and tickets. You can buy a ticket online or on the day for A$10 and A$8 for seniors and students.
If you’re looking to learn more about the history of Broome, the Broome Historical Museum is a must. It’s housed in three heritage buildings and contains exhibits, videos, and photographs that tell the story of this town and its pearling industry.
There’s also a memorial for Japanese pearl divers who lost their lives during Broome’s early years of the industry, including those killed in the 1908 cyclone. The memorial includes a stone obelisk and headstones of coloured beach rocks.
During the dry season, Broome has one of the largest tidal variations in the southern hemisphere with up to 10 metres between low and high tides. If you’re lucky enough to be here at this time, take a walk to Roebuck Bay and watch the tides roll in and out.