What to do in Broome
What to do in Broome in a week
Here I have put together a list of things to see and do while in Broome. Broome is a town in Western Australia, located on the northern coast of the state. It is known for its beautiful blue beaches, vibrant cultural mix and most famous for it’s pearling history. It is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from all around the globe.
Over 2,000 kilometres from Perth it is recommended you hire a vehicle if you did not drive in. A car that is capable of driving off road is best but not needed.
#1 The colours of Broome
Whether you drive or fly into Broome one of the first things that stands out are the colours. Red sand contrasting against the turquoise water makes the town ever more stunning. You will find yourself staring out at the sea thinking is it really that colour? Yes it really is.
Broome is part of the Kimberly region of Western Australia. The Kimberley Coast has the biggest tides in the southern hemisphere. High tides of Roebuck bay are caused by the gravitational pull of the sun and the moon. Tides in this area can reach up around 10 meters. Like checking the weather of the day it is normal to also check on the tides times daily.
Strong tidal changes are what adds to the colour of the water. With the striking white sand and sun mixed with the waters back and forth movements the blue water is actually milky in appearance. If milk was blue if you know what I mean. Due to the low visibility under the water it is not recommended for swimming in the wet season. Crocodiles, Irukandji and Box Jelly fish may be present in the water, all highly dangerous. But during the Tourist season most of Cable beach is safe to swim in.
# 2 Cable Beach
Take a stroll on this 22-kilometre long beach and experience the stunning sunsets. You can either drive onto the beach or experience it on Camel back.
Cable beach is so large you will feel like you have the place to yourself. Fun fact, it got its name from a telegraph cable that was laid between Broome and Java, Indonesia back in 1889.
Many crabs including the Sand Bubbler Crab live along the beaches of Broome. They make small sand balls along the waters edge creating natural art pieces along the ground. Pictured are small Hermit Crabs that also live along the coast lines of the area.
# 3 Gantheaume Point
Gantheaume Point is more then just a view point. Located about 6km from town this is not to be missed. An impressive natural landmark with large rocky areas to explore and dinosaur foot prints to be found.
Ok, so pictured above are not real dinosaur foot prints. They are actually moulds of other footprints that can be found at low tide in the reef rocks. At this site there once laid real fossilised foot prints but they where mysteriously stolen. You can book a tour where a guide will teach you about the Jurassic history and where to find the real foot prints.
Cool of your feet in one of the many rock pools that can be found at Gantheaume point. During the high tides the waves will lap over filling the rock pools.
Gantheaume point is also a great place to visit as the sun goes down. As the sun sets the light shines onto the rocks, making them glow a deeper red.
# 4 Entrance Point
Entrance point is a port beach near Broome. A popular spot for fishing and climbing about the different rock formations. I recommend to see Entrance point at different times of the day as the low tide uncovers hidden gems.
Many different bids live about these areas. Some of the region’s unique bird species flock here. They can also be seen from the Broome Bird Observatory at Roebuck Bay.
Note this picture was taken during the high tide.
From the same location as the last image, there is a hidden gem as the tides go do out. Dinosaur footprints can also be found in this area. This one is only a few meters from the kerb of the road.
Tyrannosaurus, armoured Ankylosaurs, vegetarian Ornithopods, Stegosaurus, and the immense sauropod are known to of lived along these lands millions of years ago. These prints most likely belong to a Ankylosaurs.
While climbing about the rocky areas of Entrance point at high tide be careful of what may look like rock pools. They are actually sea caves and are extremely dangerous when filled with water.
This is the same cave pictured above. At low tide these parts of Broome become extremely interesting to explore.
Other rock formations at Entrance point may resemble other famous rock formations of Western Australia. This one in particular reminded me of Kalbarri’s Natures Window.
During low tide you can walk under the port jetty. This picture may not give it any justice to its size. The jetty has been built to be able to withstand the high tides and port large sea vessels.
#5 Roebuck Bay
Roebuck Bay is a large part of Broome. From Mangroves, shore birds and marine life this place has to be on your bucket list.
Watch the tides go in and out through the mangroves.
#6 Stair Case to the Moon
A few days of the month between March and October you can experience the phenomenon of the Staircase to the Moon. The phenomenon which occurs when a full moon rises and exposes tidal flats of Roebuck Bay. The Town beach precinct is a great vantage spot to view the Staircase to the Moon with grassy areas to relax about.
#7 Town Beach
Town Beach is located on the south east edge of Broom. Near the historic pearling town this beach is a perfect spot to relax during the afternoon.
Take the walk to the waters edge. During the higher tides you may be lucky to spot some of the turtles that swim about Roebuck bay. There are also Snub Fin Dolphins that live in the bay and are so rare that it even provoked David Attenborough to come for a visit. Tours to see the Snub Fin Dolphins are available.
Keep an eye of the tide times as roebuck bay transforms during low tide. The waters can go out over a kilometre from shore. But be careful as when the water comes back in, it does so fast. You can walk out from town beach and find many things on the ocean floor. Crabs, sea snails and even star fish can be found laying about waiting for the water to come back in.
During the lowest tide times from town beach you can walk out to see the Flying Ship Wrecks. Also known as the Floating Boat wrecks, these sea planes where shot down by the Japanese during WWII in 1942.
Six wreckages can still be seen today but only at very low tide. You can either take a tour via hover craft or walk roughly a kilometre out to see what is left of the wrecks. Start walking an hour before the lowest tide times. Tides need to be lower then 0.8 meters for the wrecks to be visible.
Streeters Jetty is one of the historical pieces left from the old pearling days of Broome. Constructed in 1886, it was built for the luggers, dealers and merchants. As the bridge was not able to withstand the tides and storms over the years it has actually been reconstructed 5 or 6 times since.
#8 Willie Creek Peal Farm
Willie Creek Pearl Farm is famous for producing the best sea pearls in the world. About 38 kilometres north of Broome, Willie Creek Pearl farm is one of the best ways to “discover the journey of the Australian South Sea Pearl from shell to showroom.”
Take a tour at Willie Creek and learn how and why these cultured pearls are world renowned. You will learn how the pearls are cultured, grown and farmed. Educated on the anatomy of an Oyster is also given before been given the opportunity to be part of the harvesting process as well.
Take note of the tidal changes while at the Willie Creek Peal Farm. At the beginning of our tour of the waters we where taken to a boat down a stair case in the location pictured above. upon our return the tides had already risen to the top of the platform. Within 5 minutes the water was already lapping up over the pathways. If you are lucky you may spot a crocodile riding the current.
# 9 Malcom Douglas Crocodile farm
Malcom Douglas Crocodile Farm is probably one of the only places where you can get within inches of the ferocious beasts – with a fence protecting you of course. Take a tour and learn about the different type of crocodiles from a bloke who could be easily mistaken as Crocodile Dundee.
See a mix of salt and fresh water Crocodiles plus Alligators in action. While watching the croc feedings you may even be lucky enough to watch one of their killing techniques – the death roll.
It’s the lacky band for me 🙂 Get the chance to take a close up look and feel of a baby crocodile. Rough and scaly on top while soft and squishy underneath is how I would explain them. As babies they really are cute, but this little death lizard wont stay cute for long…
#10 Coconut Wells
Half an hour north of Broome, Coconut Wells is a local secret. Coconut Wells transforms at different times of the day depending on the tides. A short walk over the sand dunes to the beach will take you to a environment like no other.
From above this landscape almost looks like something from another planet. At low tide, rock and coral formations are visible, leaving plenty of rock pools to explore. As the tides move so fast many small sea life get stuck inside, creating small aquariums. I recommend to wear footwear as the rocks have sharp edges.
Take a walk around and admire the sea life that is in the rock pools of Coconut Wells. Large pools are even big enough to float in, like your own personal spa. I was lucky enough to spot this large sea slug in one of the rock pools.
