Broome

Try to imagine a place with pristine white sandy beaches, surrounded by crystal blue waters that are warmed by the summer sun that enjoys glorious sunny days for you to enjoy that abundance of fun fill activities... well if you can, then you are thinking about Broome! This is a magical place made up of all the right things for the perfect holiday. Often called the gateway to the Kimberley, Broome was founded as a pearling port over a century ago and as a result, has become a melting pot of many nationalities.  The pearling industry still remains a vital part of Broome, proudly producing the world’s finest pearls.

If you like to unwind, Broome is your ideal holiday.  Stroll on the world famous twenty two kilometres of pristine white sand that is Cable Beach, swim in the clear waters of the Indian Ocean and at the end of the day, take in another glorious sunset. The interesting Broome Heritage Trail allows you to see and learn about Broome's history, which makes an interesting excursion. You can also find out about the history at the Broome Historical Society Museum and Pearl Luggers, which tells about the pearling industry in particular. You should also visit the old part of Broome, which is Chinatown, based around Carnarvon Street and home to a number of restaurants and shops. Carnarvon Street is one of the places you are likely to be able to buy the Mother of Pearl, as well as along Dampier Terrace and Short Street. Wander around Chinatown, once the bustling hub of pearl dealers, billiard saloons, entertainment houses and Chinese eateries. Discover the unique character of Broome and the distinctive iron buildings, some dating back to the 1880’s.  The finest pearl showrooms, galleries, retail outlets and sidewalk cafes will provide you with a great shopping experience and time to immerse yourself in the charm of old and new Broome.Broome's colourful lifestyle, chilled out vibe and vibrant landscape has made it a mecca for artists, writers and musicians. This is also where you'll find art galleries, shops and cafes - the perfect place for some retail therapy.

The main swimming beach in Broome is the famous Cable Beach with 22 kilometres of white sand, kissed by warm, crystal waters, is justifiably world famous and the ideal place to watch the sunset on a balmy, tropical night. So if you are looking for some 4WD action then you enter onto the beach at the Northern end of the beach to cruise up and down stopping to enjoy the scenery, swim in the warm waters or do a spot of fishing. One of Broome's natural treasures that can be witnessed at Town Beach is the Staircase to the Moon where for three days after the full moon from March to October, reflections stretch out across shiny mudflats creating the beautiful illusion of a long silver staircase. At the end of Cable Beach is Gantheaume Point, where there are some fabulous looking cliffs, and if you can spot them, there are also some dinosaur footprints, set within the cliffs. Also on Gantheaume Point there is a lovely rock pool called Anastasia's Pool perfect for anyone wanting to just relax and wade around.

Today, thanks to Broome's unpolluted waters, South Sea pearls are among the most coveted in the world. The town's multicultural mix was shaped by a romantic pearling history when Japanese, Filipino and Malay pearl divers arrived in droves seeking their fortune. Witness first-hand how Broome pearls are cultured at a local pearl farm on any one of the fascinating tours that you can book to go on.

Another popular beach is Roebuck Bay, which is one of the main sites in Australia for migratory wading birds. Near Roebuck bay is the fabulous Broome Bird Observatory, which offers various observatory trails around the area. There are many species of bird you are likely to see on the trails and at the observatory, including 49 species of waders and 22 species of birds of prey.

Broome offers a whole host of different tours, both around the town itself and further afield within the Kimberley. Many tours enable you to explore Broome and the surrounding area. Tour options include 4WD tours, action and adventure tours and much more. Book a camel ride along Cable Beach, or take and extended cruise along the Kimberly Coast. There are such an amazing selection of tours to choose from when in Broome, so no matter if you are looking to do things in style, rough it a little bit or just a quick trip to take all of the main attractions and sights in, there is a tour that will be perfect for you!

You could also meander through the famous Courthouse Markets on a Saturday morning held in the grounds of the Old Courthouse built in 1888 and enjoy a tasty bite to eat as you make your way through the amazing collection of local produce, arts, crafts and mementos. Or you could cast out a line or two as the fishing in Broome is great.  Come on board one of the many boat charters that operate out of Broome and go catch your dinner off the shores of Roebuck Bay or Cable Beach, or try your hand at landing a big one from the Port of Broome’s Deep Water Jetty. And for anyone that just can’t get enough of golf and you are looking to perfect your swing a little more why not check out the 18-hole course at the Broome Golf Club that is fully grassed and after the game retire for a cold beer in the Club House.

You will find that Broome has two distinct seasons, ‘the wet’ and ‘the dry, each offering a vastly different holiday experience like no other. The Dry Season in between May and October and is the most popular time to visit with fine temperatures around the mid 20’s to low 30’s during the day while dropping to around 12 degrees of a night time.  With skies dotted with bright shining stars perfect for star gazing and day that present brilliantly blue skies with not a cloud to be seen anywhere, this really is the ideal time to visit Broome.  Though the ‘Wet Season’ is also another great time to holiday here as well, as there are fewer crowds to deal with as the days can get quiet hot and the nights are balmy.  Even though the name ‘Wet Season’ may suggest huge downfalls of rain, this is not a regular occurrence. There are the occasional short heavy downpours, ideal for cooling things off.

Broome in Western Australia, really does have it all, no matter what kind of holiday you are looking for, and no matter what kind of activities and adventure you want included on your getaway, you can have it all within easy reach at the glorious seaside township of Broome.