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As I sat through my ‘Kimberley massage‘, courtesy of the bumpy, unpaved roads in Broome, I paradoxically felt immersed in the untamed outback while feeling snug and safe in my chartered mini-bus.
That’s what Broome in Western Australia represented for me; a grand mix of wilderness with comfort. Scrap everything you knew about Australia through Melbourne/ Sydney as Broome represents a totally different lens to look through.
Many advertisers market Broome as a remote beach getaway, but let’s be real, there are plenty of beach options in Asia too. What Broome can offer though, is a remote wilderness to explore complemented with long beaches. Red sands meet the sea for the large part with a urban population of around 14,000 excluding tourists.
Broome is still a town undergoing rapid development and although there’s not terribly many things to do, here’s some suggestions for all you wanderlust souls excited about exploring an obscure part of Australia that some claim to be the ‘authentic down under’.
1. Learn About Broome’s Pearl Shelling Industry
Around the early 1900s, Broome was supplying more than 80% of the world’s pearl shells and dominated the market with their supply, which was made into buttons, hairclips and high-end jewelry. Sadly, the blooming pearl shell industry was disrupted by World War 2 which saw many Japanese pearl luggers deported.
Many buttons and even cutlery were made with pearls back before plastics came into prominence.
Around the 1950s, the invention of plastic buttons made sure the pearl shell industry that was already spiraling into decline never recovered.
There are now 19 pearl farms remaining in Broome, and although a glimpse of its former glory, is still interesting to learn about. These days the pearls from the oysters are much more prized versus the shell material used in the last century.
We visited two pearl farms in Broome that provided farm tours: Willie Creek and Cygnet Bay.
The Willie Creek Pearl Farm tour starts from AU$120 and lasts about 5 hours, including a trip out to sea to have a look at one of their farms.
Willies creek also has a separate ‘Pearl Luggers‘ tour package (in addition to the regular tour) that presents a piece of Broome’s history with its replica equipment and its restored pearl lugger ship. A more visual way of learning about history definitely.
Willie Creek Pearl Farm: Willie Creek Road, Waterbank WA 6725, Australia | Tel: +61 8 9192 0000 | Website
Established in 1946, Cygnet Bay has a much longer heritage and has been around since the inception of Broome’s pearling industry.
Experience live dissection demonstrations and learn about the anatomy of the giant Pinctada maxima oyster as well as how these seawater pearls are cultured.
Prices start from AU $35 for a 1.5 hour farm tour and an additional AU$30 to learn about pearl grading after the farm tour. Yes, quality pearls have a grading system (size, shape, color, luster, surface) just like diamonds which made me more aware of what the hundreds I spent on this little shiny ball went into.
Personally, I felt the rich and expressive heritage of Cygnet Bay made the tour more engaging and kudos to the guide too, but Cygnet Bay’s farm is way more out of the way versus Willie Creek. If you’re up for the long 2.5 hours ride up North, go for Cygnet Bay, if not stick the the more central farm at Willie Creek.
Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm: Cape Leveque Road, Dampier Peninsula WA 6725, Australia | Tel: +61 8 9192 4283 | Website
2. Take a Sunset Camel Ride Along Cable Beach
Strangely, camels were never native to Broome but camel-riding seems to be a well-known attraction along Cable beach. Camels were introduced to Broome in the late 1800s to transport goods, but like the pearl shell industry, the advancement of technology (namely motorized vehicles) has made these animals redundant as cargo-carriers.
Many camels were released back into the desserts which they (surprise, surprise) adapted amazingly well, while some were domesticated for these tours you see today.
I tried out Red Sun Camels, with camel ride rates starting from AU$45 for a 30 minute pre-sunset ride, while sunset tours of an hour go for AU$95.
Sunset camel tours are now a signature Broome attraction with multiple operators along the beach. You might get a sore bum from the ride, but these gentle, docile creatures are too cute to pass up especially seeing the trainers treat them with a starburst candy. Oh and the sunset shots are to die for.
3. Live It Up At A Luxury Beach Resort
Needless to say, for a beach town like Broome there’s bound to be numerous beach resorts. I had the opportunity to try out two of the most luxurious and exclusive accommodations during my trip.
We stayed the first couple of days at Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa, which is styled with Asian and Colonial influences of Broome. Cable Beach Club is also the only L’Occitane spa in the whole of Australia.
There are acres of lush tropical gardens with multiple wallabies just prancing around your room’s backyard. Minutes walk from Cable Beach, this resort provides a have for couples and families alike. Rooms start from around AU$350 a night.
Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa: 1 Cable Beach Road, Broome, WA, 6725, Australia | Tel: +61 8 9192 0400 | Website
The second premium beach resort I had the luxury to cavort around was the Kimberley Sands Resort & Spa. There seemed to be resort pools everywhere I explored.
With 72 rooms and suites, Kimberley Sands offers a more boutique feel, while The Deck Poolside restaurant was one of the better meals I had in Broome. Service isn’t amazing though and you should expect to lug your own baggage up stairs (which we did). Room rates start from around AU$400 a night.
Kimberley Sands Resort & Spa: 10 Murray Rd, Broome WA 6725, Australia | Tel: +61 8 9193 8388 | Website
4. Catch Dinosaur Footprints At Gantheaume Point
Just 10 minutes away from Broome’s city centre, Gantheaume Point is a picturesque contrast of deep pindan red cliffs with the shimmering blue sea.
At extreme low tides, actual 130 million year old dinosaur foot prints can actually be seen at the bottom of the cliff. The pictures I have here are replicas though as the tide wasn’t low enough to venture down further for a gander.
As one walks along the worn tracks toward the cliffs, you’ll pass the iconic stainless steel lighthouse and the old quarters that used to belong to pearler Patrick Percy and his wife Anastasia before it burnt down around the 1970s and was eventually rebuilt.
Strange tales about the estate include Patrick building a concrete rock pool for his wife to relieve her arthritis, as well as Anastasia’s ability to break wind at will.
Gantheaume Point is serviced by one bus per day during dry season (April – October). The bus arrives at 7.57am, allowing visitors to walk back along Cable Beach.
5. Drink Craft Beer At Matso’s Broome Brewery
Matso’s Broome Brewery can be a very busy venue with seating hard to come by. Matso’s has had a colorful history from being a gym to a studio and eventually to a restaurant. This is probably the most isolated Australian microbrewery you can find in the region.
Matso’s carries an interesting mix of craft beers with flavors adjusting according to the season. The mango beer wasn’t as sweet as expected and made for a great balanced beer, but the ginger beer for example came off with way too much bite – It’s a mixed bag of beers and to each his own.
Other than beer, you can enjoy a delightful casual lunch with treats such as this Wagyu Beef Burger (AU$30). Be warned that waiting times can get pretty long at Matso’s so do be patient.
Matso’s Broome Brewery: 60 Hamersley St, Broome WA 6725, Australia | Tel: +61 8 9193 5811 | Website
6. Visit The Broome Japanese Cemetery
Dating back to the early pearling days in the late 1800s, Broome’s Japanese Cemetery is the largest of its kind in Australia. During the war during the mid 1900s, many Japanese were sent back to their country and most of the Japanese heritage was lost during this period when they were too poor to return.
The first recorded burial from 1896 still stands today and the cemetery is testament to the close ties between Broome and Japan in the early 20th century.
The black headstones are donated by Japanese shipbuilders to replace vandalized or stolen headstones, which shows the racial conflict despite Jap-Aussie symbiotic relations in the past.
In the cemetery, there are 707 graves with 919 people buried within, alongside a large stone obelisk to commemorate those who drowned during the 1908 cyclone.
Japanese Cemetery: 1 Port Dr, Broome WA 6725, Australia
7. Explore Broome’s Chinatown
Broome’s Chinatown can be considered the heart and soul of Broome and is also the city centre serving as a hub for residents. Since 2016, the government has allocated AU$10 million to revitalize and reinforce the significance of Chinatown.
Broome’s Chinatown was home to several Asian and European cultures alongside its Aboriginal traditional owners. It served as the commercial center for Broome’s booming pearl shelling industry in the 1880s and is the genesis where everything started.
I’ll be upfront; despite its strong history, Chinatown is not terribly exciting, with a litter of knickknack stores scattered around.
The post office, banks and supermarket are also found here. Interestingly, Broome’s homes do not have individual mailboxes and letters have to be collected from the central post office.
If you’re looking for pearls or souvenirs to buy, lazy Chinatown’s the place.
For the fervent shopaholics though, I’d recommend driving a couple minutes away to Broome Courthouse Markets, which are held in the beautiful Broome Courthouse gardens.
8. Go On Indigenous Settlement Tours
To the north of Broome lies the Dampier Peninsula, where many of the indigenous tribes lie.
Beagle Bay community is one such medium-sized aboriginal tribe on the western side of the Dampier Peninsula and is also the gateway to communities further north.
Many Catholic missionaries arrived to convert the aboriginals and the first Beagle Bay community was established around 1890 by Trappist monks.
I visited during the weekday on a guided tour, which well, was surprisingly empty. I’m guessing the natives were all out but my guide wasn’t very proficient in explaining the situation.
There are various other tours you can book for such indigenous experiences and the more authentic ones are lead by local aboriginals on walking tours such as Narlijia Cultural Tours. Although I didn’t get the best native experience, I’m sure there are more qualified sources.
9. Visit The World’s Oldest Outdoor Cinema
Credits
The oldest outdoor theater in the world is located right here in Broome, Australia.
And yes, Sun Pictures is still operating with multiple modern film screenings a night unlike other outdoor cinemas that probably screen one show a week.
Converted from a general Asian store, 1916 was when it showed its first silent film after being purchased by master pearler Ted Hunter.
Credits
Despite bombings, tidal floods and even cyclones, Sun Pictures has miraculously stood the test of time.
Even the old canvas deck chairs look like they were from the last century. Enjoy a movie under the stars, or even on the grassed areas at the front of the screen.
Adult ticket prices start from AU$12, but bulk pricing is also available for groups.
Sun Pictures: 27 Carnarvon St, Broome WA 6725, Australia | Tel: +61 8 9192 1077 | Website
10. Take a helicopter tour
It’s one thing to see Broome up close and a whole new world when you’re up in the air. What better way to round up Broome with an aerial view to tie everything together? KAS Helicopters has got your aerial tour covered.
I tried the 30 minute scenic flight tour which brought us overhead the famous Cable Beach and making a beeline for Willie Creek Pearl Farm. On the return path, experience the captivating views of the Broome Peninsula, Fantheaume Point and Chinatown.
Experience the captivating views of the world famous Cable Beach while flying north to Willie Creek Pearl Farm. On your flight back marvel at the views of the Broome Peninsula, Gantheaume Point and Chinatown.
A 30 minutes ride in the Robinson R44 form KAS helicopters will set you back AU$289 per person (min. two adults to fly).
KAS Helicopters: Hangar 5, Airport Drive, Derby WA 6728, Australia | Tel: +61 487 977 794 | Website
Getting to Broome, Western Australia
If you’ve been enamored by Broome, sadly there’s quite some challenges getting there. There are only seasonal direct flights via Silkair from Singapore (which takes 4 hours).
Alternatively you can transit via Perth for a grand total of 10.5 hours with either Qantas or Singapore Airlines.
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