Broome

Broome, on Yawuru Country, grew from the 1880s as a pearling port. Divers from Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and China worked alongside Aboriginal people, creating the town's distinctive multicultural heritage, reflected in Chinatown and the Japanese Cemetery.

Things to do

Cable Beach. A 22 km stretch of white sand; a sunset camel ride is the classic Broome experience. Swim between the flags and heed stinger and crocodile warnings.

Staircase to the Moon. Watch from Town Beach or Roebuck Bay on the right nights.

Pearling heritage. Pearl farm and pearling luggers tours explain the industry; visit the Japanese Cemetery and the Broome Museum.

Gantheaume Point. Red pindan cliffs and, at very low tides, dinosaur footprints preserved in the rock.

Sun Pictures. Often described as the world's oldest operating picture garden, screening films outdoors since 1916.

History and Country

Broome (Rubibi) is on the Country of the Yawuru people, whose Native Title over the Broome area was recognised in 2006. Pearl shell was discovered in the waters off the Kimberley coast in the 1860s and 1870s, and Broome was gazetted in 1883. By the early twentieth century it was the world's largest pearling centre, supplying mother-of-pearl shell for buttons and decorative goods. Divers and crew came from Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, China and elsewhere, giving Broome its multicultural character. Diving was extremely dangerous; the Japanese Cemetery contains the graves of hundreds of divers who died.

On 3 March 1942, Japanese aircraft attacked Broome, destroying flying boats in Roebuck Bay carrying refugees from the Dutch East Indies and killing many people. Wrecks of the flying boats can sometimes be seen at very low tides.

Pearling today

Cultured pearls, produced on pearl farms along the Kimberley coast, replaced the shell industry from the mid twentieth century. Broome's pearl showrooms in Chinatown sell South Sea pearls, and tours explain how they are farmed.

Dinosaur footprints

The Broome coast preserves dinosaur footprints in sandstone around 130 million years old. At Gantheaume Point, casts of footprints are displayed at the top of the cliffs, and real tracks can be seen at very low tides. The Dampier Peninsula coastline, north of town, is part of the West Kimberley National Heritage area for these tracks.

Staircase to the Moon

On certain nights between March and October, a rising full moon reflects off the exposed mudflats of Roebuck Bay, creating the illusion of a staircase to the moon. Dates are published by the Broome Visitor Centre.

The Dampier Peninsula

North of Broome, the Dampier Peninsula has Aboriginal communities offering cultural tours and accommodation, and Cape Leveque's red cliffs and white beaches. The road is now sealed; check access requirements, as some communities require permits.

A three-day itinerary

Day 1: Chinatown and pearl showrooms, the Broome Museum, and a sunset camel ride on Cable Beach.

Day 2: Gantheaume Point and the dinosaur footprints, the Japanese Cemetery, and a film at Sun Pictures.

Day 3: A pearl farm tour or a day trip up the Dampier Peninsula.

Seasons

The dry season (May to October) brings warm, sunny days and is peak season. The wet season (November to April) is hot and humid, with cyclone risk.

Getting there

Broome has direct flights from Perth and other cities. By road, it is about 2,200 km north of Perth via the Great Northern Highway.

Safety

Swim between the flags, heed box jellyfish warnings in the wet season and watch for crocodiles in creeks and estuaries.

Chinatown and the pearling luggers

Broome's Chinatown, the historic heart of the town, grew around the pearling industry with stores, boarding houses and pearl dealers. Today it has pearl showrooms, galleries, cafés and restaurants. Pearl Luggers, a museum on Dampier Terrace, displays restored pearling luggers and tells the stories of the divers and crews, with guided tours explaining the dangers of the old diving suits.

Roebuck Bay and birdwatching

Roebuck Bay is a Ramsar-listed wetland and one of the most important sites in the world for migratory shorebirds. Each year, birds that breed in Siberia and northern China fly to the bay to feed on its mudflats. The Broome Bird Observatory, east of town, runs tours and courses. The best time to see large flocks is between September and April.

Cable Beach in detail

Cable Beach stretches about 22 km and takes its name from the telegraph cable laid between Broome and Java in 1889. Camel tours operate at sunset, and vehicles are allowed on parts of the beach north of the rocks. Swim only between the flags, and observe stinger warnings in the wet season (roughly November to May).

Where to next

• Derby — about 220 km north-east, the western end of the Gibb River Road.
• Dampier Peninsula — north, with Aboriginal community-run tourism.
• Fitzroy Crossing — east, with Danggu (Geikie) Gorge.
• Eighty Mile Beach and Port Hedland — south.

Is it safe to swim in Broome?

Broome's beaches are beautiful, but the water needs respect. The Shire of Broome recommends:

• Swim at patrolled beaches, between the red and yellow flags. Cable Beach has a professional lifeguard service daily from April to October, 9 am to 4.30 pm, in front of the Broome Surf Life Saving Club.
• Know that wet-season beaches aren't patrolled by lifeguards.
• Protect yourself from stingers. Irukandji and box jellyfish stings are rare and preventable. Stinger season runs from November to May. The Shire says a full-length lycra suit or wetsuit reduces the risk of stings by 75%. Carry vinegar.
• Stay out of the water during beach closures, and follow all warning signs.
• Be crocwise. The Shire says saltwater crocodiles are occasionally seen at Town Beach, and it closes the beach after a sting or sighting.
• Don't swim off the Town Beach jetty. Strong tidal currents and varying depths make it unsafe. The beach next to the groyne is more protected.

See crocodile safety.

When not to go to Broome

The wet season, roughly November to April, brings heat, humidity, storms and the possibility of cyclones. Some tours and businesses close or cut back, and the beaches aren't patrolled. Stinger risk is also highest from November to May. Most visitors prefer the dry season, roughly May to October, for warm days, cooler nights and the full range of tours. The Broome Visitor Centre publishes Staircase to the Moon dates for each year.

Broome for a week

A week allows a relaxed pace: two or three days in town (Cable Beach, Chinatown, Town Beach and the pearling story), a day or two on the Dampier Peninsula with a local Aboriginal guide, and time for a scenic flight or Horizontal Falls tour. The Broome Visitor Centre offers free booking and itinerary help.

Practical tips

Accommodation fills quickly during the dry season, so book ahead. Many tours run only from about April to October.

Practical information

Broome has an airport, hospital and wide range of accommodation; book well ahead for the dry season. The Gibb River Road begins near Derby, 220 km north-east. See Perth to Darwin and the Savannah Way.

Explore nearby

• Derby
• Gibb River Road