Broome

Where you actually end up

Broome sits at the tip of the Dampier Peninsula, 2,200 kilometres north of Perth, at the edge of the Kimberley. Flying in across the red pindan plain and the curve of Cable Beach is the kind of arrival that immediately tells you that you are somewhere specific. The town itself is small, about 15,000 people, but it has a cultural depth that cities ten times its size would envy.

Broome was built on pearling. At its peak in the early twentieth century, the lugger fleet here supplied more than 80% of the world's mother-of-pearl shell, and the multicultural workforce that crewed those boats, Japanese divers, Malay and Timorese crew, Aboriginal traders and European merchants, gave the town a character unlike any other in Australia. The Japanese Cemetery contains over 900 graves of divers who died from the bends. Chinatown retains something of the old commercial quarter. Sun Pictures, the world's oldest operating outdoor cinema, still screens films under the open sky.

For most visitors, Broome is also the gateway to the Kimberley. One of the last genuinely wild places on Earth. Those planning a Kimberley drive should consult our campervan guide for road conditions, 4WD requirements and the right time of year to go. If you're coming south from the Kimberley and heading toward Ningaloo Reef, Broome sits at the midpoint of one of the great Australian coastal road trips.

Cable Beach

Twenty-two kilometres of white sand facing west into the Indian Ocean, with red pindan cliffs at the northern end that glow orange as the sun drops. Cable Beach has a reputation that matches the reality, which is relatively rare. The swimming is excellent during the dry season (May to September). The sunset from the cliff viewing area at the northern end is the kind that makes people stop talking for a while.

Camel rides on the beach at sunset are a Broome institution. Several operators work the beach in the late afternoon, timing the return to coincide with the light. The experience is slow and elevated. Exactly the right pace for watching the Indian Ocean change colour. Book in advance during the dry season when rides fill up. The beach is 6 kilometres from the town centre, accessible by shuttle, bike or car along Cable Beach Road.

Cable Beach at sunset. The pindan cliffs glow orange as the light drops

Staircase to the Moon

When a full moon rises over the mudflats of Roebuck Bay at very low tide, the light creates the illusion of a golden staircase rising to the moon. It only happens on specific evenings. Roughly three nights per month between March and October, when the full moon and a low tide coincide. On those evenings, Town Beach fills with food stalls and local families, and the atmosphere is genuinely good.

The better spot to watch from is Entrance Point, about 4 kilometres north of Town Beach. The phenomenon is identical, the crowd is a fraction of the size, and parking is easy. Tourism Broome publishes the Staircase dates months ahead. Check them before booking flights if this is a priority for you.

Gantheaume Point

The headland south of Cable Beach is red rock worn smooth by the ocean, and at very low tides the ledges expose 130-million-year-old dinosaur footprints. At least ten species left their tracks in this rock, including sauropods with feet the size of serving platters. The tracks are only visible during particularly low tides, roughly two to four days per month, so check the tide tables before making a special trip. A full-size replica sits at the top of the cliff for when the originals are underwater.

The point is worth visiting at any tide for the views and the rock pools at the base of the cliffs. Sunrise from Gantheaume Point is spectacular and you will almost always have it to yourself.

Into the Kimberley

Broome is the most practical starting point for the Kimberley. The Gibb River Road runs 660 kilometres from Derby to Kununurra through gorge country that includes Windjana Gorge, Tunnel Creek, Manning Gorge and El Questro. This route requires a capable 4WD and should not be attempted in the wet season. It is typically open from May to October.

Without a 4WD, several operators run day trips and multi-day tours from Broome into the Kimberley. Horizontal Falls, a tidal phenomenon where ocean water surges through narrow cliff passages in Talbot Bay, is accessible by seaplane or fast boat from Broome and is one of those things that genuinely earns the word extraordinary. Plan to spend at least a week in Broome around any Kimberley venture. The logistics take time and rushing it is a mistake.

Pearls and history

Willie Creek Pearl Farm, 38 kilometres north of Broome on the Dampier Peninsula, runs guided tours through the pearl cultivation process from seeding to harvest, with the option to buy directly from the farm at prices that undercut the town retailers. The Pearl Luggers Museum on Dampier Terrace, housed in two restored pearling luggers, gives context for the industry that made the town. Several Chinatown jewellers have been selling pearls for over a century and are worth a browse whether you intend to buy anything or not.

Getting to Broome

Broome Airport has direct flights from Perth (2.5 hours) on Qantas and Virgin Australia, and seasonal connections from other capitals, one-way flights into Broome and out of Darwin, or the reverse. Allow a linear journey through the Kimberley without backtracking, and work well if you're doing the trip properly. Driving from Perth is 2,200 kilometres on sealed roads, at least three days, and passes through Ningaloo Reef country along the way. Our campervan guide covers the full Perth to Broome coastal route with day-by-day staging.

Practical notes

• Swimming: Never swim in rivers, estuaries or mangroves at any time of year. Saltwater crocodiles are real and they are everywhere in northern WA waterways.
• 4WD: Required for the Gibb River Road and most Kimberley tracks. Standard rental cars are not permitted on unsealed roads by most hire companies.
• Staircase dates: Check ahead. It only occurs three times per month and the dates shift each year.
• Fuel: Fill up in Broome before heading north. Stations on the Gibb River Road are sparse and expensive.
• Accommodation: See our Broome accommodation guide. Dry season fills up fast, particularly Cable Beach Club Resort.
• Mobile coverage is limited or absent in remote areas. Starlink satellite internet is worth considering if you're spending time away from the main highway.

Continue Your Journey

Where to go next from Broome

Marine Paradise

Ningaloo Reef

Whale sharks. 1,200km south

Ningaloo Gateway

Exmouth

Turquoise Bay. 1,200km south

UNESCO Heritage

Monkey Mia

Dolphins. 900km south

Road Trip

Campervan Guide

Perth to Broome Coral Coast itinerary

Frequently Asked Questions