Broome

Broome has a fascinating history and has become the Kimberley's best kept secret. This unique township became the melting pot of many cultures due to the 'Pinctada Maxima' - the world's largest pearl oyster shell, found in Roebuck Bay in 1861. People came from all over the world to make their fortune.

When you visit you will notice Broome's multicultural feel in the people and in the architecture of the town itself.

If you like Pearls, this is definitely the place to buy them!

Set on Roebuck Bay you'll be overwhelmed by the colours of Broome - red cliffs, turquoise water and a long white sandy beach. The famous Cable Beach stretches for 22 kilometres and is considered as the major attraction to tourists and locals alike.

In addition to Cable Beach, a visit to a local Pearl Farm is a must. Dinosaur footprints can be seen at low tide at Gantheaume Point, and the Broome Bird Observatory is another birdwatching heaven.

It's easy to slip into Broome time here, but be careful! You won't want to leave, making it the perfect last stop after exploring the Kimberley region. Make sure you leave around two to three nights to relax and enjoy the easy pace before heading home. Alternatively you can make this your starting point using the first few days in Broome to slip into holiday mode.

Check here for Broome Accommodation and Tours.

Shopping
Major shops are open seven days a week with restricted hours on public holidays. Fuel is available seven days a week.

South Sea pearls are the finest in the world and the retail outlets in Broome are a showcase to exquisite and award winning jewellery featuring these precious gems of the sea.

Broome is home to a number of excellent galleries which feature work by internationally renowned local artists and offer a unique selection of Aboriginal art.

Attractions

Anastasia's Pool
Located at Gantheaume Point this is a small pool carved out of the cliff top by a former lighthouse keeper for his wife, Anastasia. Anastasia was crippled with arthritis, each day as the tide comes in it refills the pool with fresh sea water. The lighthouse keeper used to carry his wife down to the pool each day as she found relief in this pool.

Beagle Bay - Shell House - Gateway to Cape Leveque
Located 118 kms north of Broome, the Beagle Bay church was built by Pallotine Monks with raw materials from the area and completed in 1918. It features a unique altar beautifully decorated with pearl shells. Visitors must contact the office on arrival and a fee of $5 is charged for entry to the community. Access is by 4WD only. Tours are available from Broome.

Broome Bird Observatory
The Broome Bird Observatory is a heaven on earth for birdwatchers. It happens to be a major stopping off point for many birds as they migrate north to south or vice versa. Many of the birds are from Siberia. That's a long flight to Broome! It's located on the shores of the beautiful Roebuck Bay, 18 kilometres from Broome and is regarded as the most significant site in Australia for shorebirds, as over 800,000 use the area annually. There are self interpretive walks and tours and accommodation is available.

Broome Crocodile Park
The park is home to over 1500 dangerous salt water crocodiles as well as Australian fresh water crocodiles, New Guinea freshwater crocodiles, South American Caimans and American Alligators. Everything from small babies to massive 5 metre crocodiles can be seen. Don't miss the afternoon feeding! If you won't get the chance to see crocodiles on your trip, this is the chance to!

Buccaneer Rock
If you are staying at the Mangrove Hotel, here's a sight you might be able to see, if you are lucky. Broome has a legend that the Buccaneer explorer, William Dampier, came to the present town and landed with a treasure chest of pirated pieces and buried them at Buccaneer Rock. Apparently his ghost can be seen there on a misty night with a lantern looking for the lost loot. The Rock is located in Roebuck Bay opposite the Mangrove Hotel.

Cable Beach
Cable Beach is said to be one of the most stunning beaches in the world. With 22 kms of white sand and clear tropical water, washed clean every day by Broome's 10 metre tides. Cable Beach was named after the telegraph cable that was installed between Broome and Java in 1889. It's ideal for swimming, picnicking and relaxing.

Chinatown
Chinatown was originally a conglomeration of pearl sheds, Japanese boarding houses, billiard saloons, Chinese eateries and the Pearlers Rest Hotel. Today, it is still the heart of the pearling and commercial industries with many of the old pearling sheds in Dampier Terrace transformed into pearl emporias.

Gantheaume Point
Gantheaume is located approximately 6 km from town. This is a very scenic area as the red, craggy cliffs contrast the azure water below.

Dinosaur footprints over 120 million years old can be seen here when tides are less than 1.5 metres. As the reef area is very fragile, care must be taken when exploring this area. A plaster cast of the tracks has been embedded at the top of the cliff for visitors who come to see the tracks at high tide and for those who don't want to go walking on the reef.

On the north side of the point is Anastasia's Pool, a small man made rock pool built by a former lighthouse keeper for his wife Anastasia who was crippled with arthritis.

Japanese Cemetery
Japanese divers played an important part in the early history of pearl farming in Broome. In the early days pearl diving was a dangerous occupation with divers dying of shark attacks and the bends. Over 900 Japanese are buried here as a testimony to the era.