Western Australia Tourism & Accommodation Guide

Broome - Pearl Capital of the World

Broome is located 2200km north of Perth and 221km from 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. Broome is the gateway to the rugged Kimberley one of Australia's last great wilderness areas, this region covers over 400,000 square kilometres (3 times the size of England) and has fewer people per kilometre than almost any other place on earth.

Broome itself lends a cosmopolitan feel with its mix of European, Malay, Japanese, Aboriginal cultures brought about by it's early history in the pearling industry.

A range of accommodation is available, from backpacking and camping to 5 star hotels and a choice of activities to suite all tastes. Bush walks, camel trecks and safaris beckon, or just simply relax and watch the sun set over magnificent Cable Beach.

Travellers to Broome and the Kimberley have the opportunity to discover a pristine environment and a truly spectacular landscape of gorges, red rocks, white sands and rugged ranges. You will not be disappointed." Adele Dixon.

These days, Broome is a major holiday resort with fine resort hotels, a busy airport and top class restaurants. There are safari tours, hovercraft tours, a crocodile park, pearl farms - and of course great fishing and water sports.

When you tire of the tropical torpor encouraged by simmering sands, ochre rocks and deep blue waters, 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 movies are shown under the stars every night.

For those individuals who enjoy catching fish, Broome is the place for you with an abundance of different varieties of fish including sailfish. Game fishing charters are readily available and tournements are held regularly.

Other attractions worth seeing include the Willie Creek Pearl Farm, The Japanese Cemetary - a tribute the 900 pearl divers who lost their lives in the early perilous days of the pearl industry, Malcolm Douglas' 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 that stretch for miles. It is ranked third best in the world.

Broome was formed as the support town for the then burgeoning and highly profitable cattle industry and had its own abattoir and export port where the town jetty now stands.
During this period pearls were discovered in the water offshore, attracting deep sea divers from all parts of the world including Japanese, Malays, Koepangs and many islanders. At one stage there were 400 pearling luggers in port.
Cyclones played havoc with the luggers (and crews) and a visit to the Japanese cemetery bears testimony to this. Hauls diminished and cultured pearls took over and a visit to the Broome Pearl Farm is high on tour operator’s priority list.

For those fortunate enough to be in Broome 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.

There are a host of tours run by experts with years of local knowledge who offer a full commentary in each area. The selection of land, sea or air is up to individual choice but some of the most magnificent coastal scenery is only accessible by air. The options are too many to list but Broome Tourist Bureau will be only too happy to help and advise.

Broome has a harmonious cosmopolitan mixed race population born of the early pearling days.
Fishing is fantastic and it’s on the front doorstep. One favourite spot is the town’s port jetty where up to 30 pounders are caught. Guanthame Point is another top spot and just north of town Willie Creek is consistent. Delicious mangrove crabs can be caught in all the creeks. Treat them with respect as their pincers are mighty powerful.

Broome 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 in the wet season have constant streaks of lightning as a backdrop.

During World War 11 Broome was the target of a Japanese air raid.
Three Dutch East Indies seaplanes carrying women and children refugees were stranded 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 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.

There are many tour operators in Broome who specialise in true outback tours with fully equipped 4WD vehicles that traverse the Gibb River Road to Wyndham and Kununurra or to Aboriginal settlements at Beagle Bay or Lombadina and see the spectacular Cape Levique.

You haven’t seen the real Western Australia if you haven't explored this area.

Return to the Kimberley Region page.