Broome
is located 2200km north of Perth and 221km west of Derby, and is the
unique and exotic southern gateway to the raw wilderness area of the
Kimberley region.
There the Indian Ocean laps an endless expanse of golden sands and the
Great Sandy Desert beckons the adventurous traveller. The town is the
gateway to the rugged Kimberley one of the world's last great
wilderness areas. The region covers over 400,000 square kilometres (3
times the size of England) with fewer inhabitants per kilometre than
almost any other place on earth.
The town itself lends a cosmopolitan feel with its mix of European,
Malay, Japanese, Aboriginal cultures brought about by it's early
pearling industry history.
A range of accommodation is available within the town, ranging from
backpacking and camping to 5 star luxury hotels and a choice of
activities to suite all tastes. Bush walks, camel treks and safaris
beckon, or you can simply relax, during the day you can watch the waves
lap the beach and in the evening view the magnificent sunsets from the
equally magnificent Cable Beach.
Travellers to the Kimberley have the opportunity to discover a pristine
environment and explore a truly spectacular landscape of gorges, red
rocks, white sands and rugged ranges. "You will not be disappointed".
These days, the town is a major holiday resort with fine resort hotels,
a busy airport and top class restaurants. You can participate in safari
tours, hovercraft tours, visit a crocodile park or pearl farms - and of
course enjoy great fishing and water sports.
When you tire of the tropical torpor which is encouraged by simmering
sands, ochre rocks and deep blue waters, at sunset take a camel ride
along the 22 kms of talc powder sand of the famous Cable Beach, or
visit Sun Pictures, believed to be the oldest picture gardens in the
world, where each evening movies are shown beneath the star studded
night sky.
For those who enjoy ocean fishing, Broome is the place for
you, with an abundant variety of different types of fish, including
sailfish. Game fishing charters are readily available and regular
fishing tournements are held.
Other attractions well worth seeing include the Willie Creek Pearl
Farm, The Japanese Cemetary - a tribute to the 900 pearl divers who
lost their lives in the early perilous days of the pearl industry, The
Broome Crocodile Park, the Bird Observatory, the Historical Society
Museum and the Staircase to the Moon.
The Backpackers Guide to WA says:-
A tropical climate, top beaches, clear blue skies, lush plant growth,
crystal clear, clean blue ocean, great fishing, snorkelling, diving, a
multitude of 4WD, walk, air or boat tours, a choice of nightclubs and
ethnic restaurants all combine to make Broome a mecca for tourists from
all parts of the world.
Shopping is excellent with three major centres and many individual
shops scattered throughout town. One of the major attractions is Cable
Beach (just out of town) with its unspoilt white sands which stretch
for miles along the edge of the Indian Ocean. The Beach is ranked the
third best in the world.
The town was formed as a support centre for the then burgeoning and
highly profitable cattle industry. The town had its own abattoir and
export port located where the town jetty now stands.
During this early period pearls were discovered in the waters offshore,
attracting deep sea divers from all parts of the world including
Japanese, Malays, Koepangs and many islanders. At one stage 400
pearling luggers were operating out of the port.
Cyclones played havoc with the luggers (and crews) and a visit to the
Japanese cemetery bears testimony to this. Hauls of the precious pearls
diminished and the introduction of cultured pearls took over the
traditional industry. Visits to the Broome Pearl Farm feature high on
the priority lists of many of the local tour operator’s.
For those fortunate enough to be in town on a full moon and a low tide,
the unforgettable sight of the “Stairway to the Moon” appears where the
light of the moon shines on the mudflats to reflect into the night sky.
A host of tours are run by local experts who have acquired detailed
knowledge of the area, and who offer full commentarys describing each
area visited. The selection of land, sea or air tour is an individual's
own choice, although some of the most magnificent coastal scenery can
only be viewed or accessed from the air. The options are too many to
list, although the local tourist bureau is always happy to assist.
Broome has a harmonious cosmopolitan mixed race population born of the
early pearling days when migrants from around the world flocked to the
town.
The fishing is fantastic and is located right on the front doorstep.
One favourite fishing spot is the town’s port jetty where 30 pounders
are regularly caught. Guanthame Point is another top spot and just
north of town, Willie Creek is consistently delivers good catches.
Delicious mangrove crabs can be caught in any of the creeks. They
should however be treated with respect as their pincers are mighty
powerful.
The outdoor theatre is one of the few places in the world where patrons
sit in the open air in a deck chair watching first releases with flying
foxes (fruit bats) crossing the screen, or during the wet season have
constant streaks of lightning as a backdrop to the movie.
During World War II the town was the target of a Japanese air raid.
Three Dutch East Indies seaplanes carrying women and children refugees
were strafed while at anchor in Roebuck Bay. Relics of the wreckage can
still be seen on a very low tide or aboard the town’s hovercraft
service.
The oriental influence of Broome’s pearling days is accentuated with a
visit to Chinatown which was once the town's commercial centre. It
still retains its architectural oriental characteristics but is now
home to some of the finest jewellery in the world and you’ve guessed it
– predominantly pearl based.
Many tour operators operate out of the town and specialise in real
outback tours with fully equipped 4WD vehicles that traverse the Gibb
River Road to Wyndham and Kununurra, or travel to Aboriginal
settlements at Beagle Bay or Lombadina to visit the spectacular Cape
Levique.
You haven’t seen the real Western Australia until you have visited and
explored this far northern area of the state.
Accommodation
in Broome
Broome Tours
Return to the Kimberley
Region page
