Travel Facts: Broome Australia
Gateway to the Tropical North Western Outback
Hovering between an aquamarine sea and the ochre desert of the Kimberley lies the charismatic beachside town of Broome.
Located in the far north western corner of Australia, Broome is known as the gateway to the wild, rugged, and remote Kimberley region. White settlers founded Broome over a century ago as a pearling port to take advantage of the abundant treasures in its tropical waters. Soon after, Japanese pearl divers arrived, lured by a thriving industry. However, Aboriginal descendants have called the Kimberley home for countless years, and their culture is still a strong part of Broome today. With this cultural melting pot, visitors to Broome will find a fascinating destination far from the big city lights of southern Australia.
Why Go There?
No story about Broome can be told without mentioning the famous Cable Beach. Stretching beyond the horizon for approximately 90 miles, this beach has attracted generations of sun worshippers. A section has been set aside as ‘clothing optional’ and is almost as popular as the main beach. In fact the beach attracts almost as many visitors even after the heat of the sun has diminished, all mesmerised by the spectacle of an absurdly blood orange sun falling into an impossibly aquamarine sea. The debonair Cable Beach Club Resort sits discretely behind tropical gardens, just a short stroll from the beach, with the cliff top Cocktail Bar perfectly positioned to take in those sunsets. The resort architecture reflects typical Broome style, with lots of corrugated iron in earthy hues, shady eaves and window shutters to block out the harsh sun and cooling timber floors. Rooms are spacious bungalow style, set amidst tropical gardens filled with fragrant frangipani and shady palms.
The traditional owners of the Dampier Peninsula, the Bugarregarre people, have lived from the land and sea, since a time they describe as when the land was soft. Their complex culture has undergone much evolution since the arrival white man. First the European pastoralists, then the Asian pearlers arrived, often resulting in violent clashes, as Aboriginal people were taken into custody to provide labour for these soon thriving industries. In the early 1900s, Broome was renowned as the largest pearling centre in the world. Then, later the missionaries arrived, intent on brandishing their own form of enlightenment on these by now bewildered people. Meandering through Broomes streets today reflects this mix of cultures and influences in its people and architecture.
Tourism is Broome's main industry, so whether you make Broome your destination, or use it as a base to explore the Kimberley, there is an astounnding array of tours, experiences, galleries and entertainment options. Many cruises into the remote Kimberely wilderness depart from Broome. Land based 4WD tours to the north offer a unique outback experience. Here you’ll find the Beagle Bay Pearl Farm and old missionary settlement where the church alter has been hand crafted from pearl shell. Stay overnight in beachside Safari Tents at the wilderness style luxury camp Kooljaman at Cape Leveque, run by the Djarindjin and One Arm Point Aboriginal communities.
Best Time To Go
The tropical cyclone season officially begins in November and ends at the end of April. Known as "the wet" this is the traditionally the low season, with frequent high humidity and heavy rainfall. However, it can also be an exciting time to visit with wild lightning storms providing spectacular light shows across an unpolluted horizon.
The dry season from May to October usually means offshore easterly or south easterly winds, low humidity and daytime temperatures in the high 20s to low 30s (Celsius).
How to Get There
Virgin Blue and Qantas have regular air services from Perth. Long distance coaches (Greyhound) also service Broome from either Darwin or Perth.
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