Guide to Broome
Aboriginal name: Rubibi (pronounced Roo-bee-bee)
A multicultural melting pot, Broome is a tropical delight and the gateway to the Kimberley, one of the world’s great wildernesses.
Beginning life as a pearling town in the 1880s, Broome was a wild frontier, attracting workers from Indonesia, Malaysia, China, Japan and Europe. Along with strong First Nations cultures, these influences are all here today, giving Broome a vibe unlike anywhere else. Red dirt sits beside aqua ocean, pearl boutiques rub shoulders with laid-back breweries, and activities range from world-class diving to unhurried camel rides.
Top things to do in Broome
Ride a camel into a Cable Beach sunset
Join a leisurely camel caravan along Cable Beach – one of Broome’s most iconic experiences. A friendly camel’s back offers the perfect vantage point to snap a photo of the tangerine sunsets Broome is famous for.
Join a pearl farm guided tour
Learn all about the industry that built Broome on a guided tour of a working pearl farm. Start in the hatchery then head out on the water to see the shells growing in Willie Creek. End with a visit to the jewellery showroom for the perfect souvenir.
Visit Australia’s most remote brewery
Matso’s Brewery has been concocting unique beers for over 20 years. In the historic Matso’s Store, opposite Roebuck Bay, relax in the courtyard with a ginger beer or tropical-inspired brew such as chilli beer or mango IPA. Stop in for a drink.
Meet the unique snubfin dolphin
Spotting the rare snubfin dolphin is a special experience, and Broome is the best place to see them. Head out on a morning or sunset cruise and you may also find bottlenose dolphins, turtles, dugongs or even a manta ray.
Join an Indigenous cultural tour
Join Yawuru man, Bart Pigram, on a walk through the area’s rich mangrove ecosystem. He’ll recount ancient Dreamtime stories and modern tales of life in the Kimberley region as you learn about important plants and animals on this unique tour.
Witness a staircase to the moon
From March to October, when the moon is full, use your imagination to climb the ‘stairs’ reflected in the mudflats of Roebuck Bay. Take it in from Town Beach, where the colourful night market is held, or from the lush lawn of the Mangrove Hotel.
Kayak with Broome’s marine life
Get a new perspective on Broome’s rusty landscape when you explore it from the water. No experience is necessary on this gentle paddle around the coastline. Encounter turtles, seabirds, and sometimes manta rays and humpback whales.
Discover dinosaur footprints
Adventure to a secluded beach to stand in the perfectly preserved footprints of a dinosaur. Fossilised in rock, the 120-million-year-old prints of several species are here, and your guide will explain who roamed the area in the Cretaceous period.
Visit Gantheaume Point’s red cliffs
Only a short drive from Broome, Gantheaume Point provides a stunning place to appreciate the red pindan soils set against the striking turquoise ocean. Stroll the white sands of Cable Beach and see a replica of real dinosaur footprints found nearby.
Join a liveaboard trip to Rowley Shoals
Off the coast of Broome lies the Rowley Shoals Marine Park, three coral atolls rising from the depths with some of Australia’s best diving, snorkelling and fishing. Join a multi-day trip to experience the staggering marine life of this special place.
Meet a saltwater crocodile
Australia’s north is famous for crocodiles, and you can meet them in safety with the experts at Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park. Don’t miss the daily 3pm feeding session to see where their fearsome reputation comes from.
