This coastal town in Western Australia has white sandy beaches, pearl farms, and red ochre cliffs. Dinosaur footprints and camel rides along Cable Beach draw visitors year-round.
Broome, located on a peninsula in Western Australia's Kimberley region, has red rock formations, white sand beaches, and clear turquoise waters. You can watch sunset camel trains along Cable Beach, explore 130-million-year-old dinosaur footprints at Gantheaume Point, or see the natural Staircase to the Moon phenomenon. Local markets, food stalls, and annual festivals reflect the influences from Japanese, Chinese, and Indigenous Australian communities.
Getting to Broome
Direct flights connect Broome to Perth twice daily year-round, while Darwin has three weekly connections. During peak season, you can fly directly from Sydney and Melbourne. The town spans two main areas: the historic Chinatown and the beachside Cable Beach district, connected by regular local buses and taxis.
Weather and Timing Your Visit
The dry season runs from May to October with temperatures around 33°C during the day and 13°C at night. November to April brings the wet season, when some tours and accommodations might close. Most travelers visit during the dry months when weather conditions are more predictable and all activities are running.
Cable Beach and Coastal Areas
Cable Beach extends for 22 kilometers along the Indian Ocean. You can join sunset camel rides, swim in the sheltered waters, or drive 4WD vehicles on designated areas. Gantheaume Point's red rock formations contain 130-million-year-old dinosaur footprints, visible in the reef rock during low tide.
Natural Phenomena and Wildlife
The Staircase to the Moon appears from March to October, when moonlight creates an optical illusion across Roebuck Bay's mudflats. Thousands of migratory birds visit the bay each season. Take boat tours to see humpback whales (June to September), dolphins, and sea turtles in their natural habitat.
Local Activities
The Saturday morning Courthouse Markets sell handmade jewelry, local art, and fresh food. Sun Pictures, built in 1916, screens movies outdoors. You can fish for barramundi and threadfin salmon in Roebuck Bay, or join Yawuru guides to learn about bush foods and traditional fishing methods.
Cultural Heritage
Pearl beds discovered in 1883 brought Japanese, Chinese, Malaysian, and Filipino workers to Broome. Today, these cultural influences are evident in local restaurants and annual events. The Shinju Matsuri festival in August-September includes dragon boat races, pearl meat tastings, and art exhibitions.