Broome
Broome simply oozes with colour. It's Western Australia's secret getaway - right on the Indian Ocean's doorstep and the gateway to Australia's last frontier of pristine wilderness - the Kimberley. From its rough and tumble, romantic pearling history to the cosmopolitan character of Chinatown, to the turquoise waters, red sandstone cliffs and the endless expanse of white sand at Cable Beach....the colours and moods of Broome will capture your soul. You'll never want to leave.
Broome owes its existence to the 'Pinctada Maxima' - the world's largest pearl oyster shell - discovered in Roebuck Bay in 1861. The giant pinctada shells caused a sensation overseas and soon a melting pot of nationalities flocked to the shores of Broome in the hope of making their fortune. Japanese, Malays and Koepangers joined the Aboriginal pearl divers, whilst the Chinese became the shopkeepers in town.
Today, remnants of Broome's exotic past are everywhere. The town's multicultural society ensures a wonderful array of gourmet tastes, colourful characters and cultural influences. Pearling still remains a thriving industry and the world famous South Sea pearls feature in Chinatown's string of pearl galleries. Broome's climate is also something to boast about with warm sunny days, balmy nights and spectacular storms during the tropical summer season. Not to mention the unforgettable spectacle of sunset on Cable Beach!
Need to get around Broome and you don't have your own transport. The Pearl Town Bus Service runs a regular service to all quarters of Broome, China Town and Cable Beach.
Broome, the gateway to the Kimberley. Where the Indian Ocean laps an endless expanse of golden sands and where The Great Sandy Desert beckons the adventurous traveller. Situated in the far north west of Western Australia, the Kimberley represents one of natures last untouched wilderness regions. Covering over 400,000 square kilometres (3 times the size of England), this area has fewer people per kilometre than almost any other place on earth.
Broome itself lends a cosmopolitan feel with its mix of Aboriginal, Malay, European, Koepangar and Japanese cultures, brought about by its early history in the pearling industry.
Camel trek at sunset, along Cable Beach, BroomeIn it’s heyday, Broome was the pearling capital of the world. Early settlers combed the ocean beds in search of pearl shell and the illustrious pearl. By the 1920’s Broome was providing no less than three quarters of the world’s pearl shell buttons and pearls.
Hard hat divers worked in terrible conditions for their European masters. Aboriginal and then Malay and Japanese divers frequently lost their lives from the bends or accidents at sea. The Japanese Cemetery in Broome holds testimony to the many men and women who succumbed to the perils of diving.
In the 1950’s plastic buttons replaced the pearl ones and the lucrative pearl button industry was virtually annihilated. The once bustling streets of Chinatown and Japtown became quiet and empty. The famous bars and brothels of Sheba Lane closed down, leaving Broome a shadow of its former self.
The main swimming area at Cable Beach, BroomeRevival came swift. Some of the earlier pearling masters remained, new entrepreneurs arrived and so did the technology of pearl farms and the cultured pearl. Broome’s South Sea Pearls are now highly sought after and represent one of Broome’s main industries. The other, is tourism.
Broome invites all kinds of people from all walks of life. There is accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets from the luxurious Cable Beach Inter-Continental Resort to the caravan parks, backpacker hostels and everything in between.
First impressions are of a quiet outback town but further investigation reveals a wealth of things to do. Many established and emerging artists provide beautiful galleries full of Kimberley art. Music in Broome is the backbone to a whole range of entertainment. Famous plays such as Bran Neu Dae and Corrugation Road were born here and festivals such as the annual Shinju Matsuri and Fringe Arts bring the town alive with dance, song and festivities.
Charter boat, off Cable Beach in Broome It is, however, the unique natural surrounds of this region and its ancient lands that take your breath away. With its clear waters, white sands, red rocks, gorges and rugged ranges on its doorstep, Broome offers travellers the opportunity to discover a pristine environment and a truly spectacular Kimberley landscape.
On the Dampier peninsula, water laps around three quarters of the Broome coastline. Along with it’s neighbouring town Derby, Broome has some of the highest tides in the world. Imagine a king tide of 10mtrs. From Roebuck Bay the ocean kisses the tops of the mangroves and leaves only a couple of metres of sand uncovered. Six hours later and the tide has disappeared at such an alarming rate that only the muddy, sandy bed and thousands of tiny rivulets of water running out to sea remain. It is now impossible to see the ocean and only a two kilometre walk will bring you to the waters edge for a paddle.
Historic pearl diver helmets, in Broome This gives one good reason not to drive your car on to the beach. Town Beach Café provides a great vantage point to see yet another 4WD stuck in the mud with the incoming tide racing towards it. Aside from damaging your car you are disturbing the delicate ecosystems of the sand dunes. Turtles are common here. Along with penguins and migrating birds they come to nest and lay their eggs in the dunes.
Bird life is prolific. 299 species of birds have been recorded in the Broome region, which equates to over one third of Australia’s total species. In addition, more than 800,000 birds migrate here annually from as far away as Siberia and the Artic Tundra. The Broome Bird Observatory can take you on several informative and enjoyable tours along the coastline.
Exploring Broome and the Kimberley can be done in a variety of ways. Tour operators offer a multitude of choice from 4WD adventures to outback camel safaris and bushwalks. Local guides can guide you through the region in a safe and unobtrusive way.
Couple fishing on Eighty Mile Beach, south of Broome Visit the old Broome Jetty which once harboured over 150 pearl luggers and be amazed by the dinosaur footprints left imprinted in the sea beds at Ganthaeume Point over 130 million years ago. Spend the day relaxing on the warm sands of Cable Beach or watch one of natures rare phenomenon’s over Roebuck Bay as the rising of the full moon combines with the very low tide and creates the appearance of a Staircase to the Moon along the mud flats.
Cruising the outer islands of the Buccaneer Archipelago, whirlpools, caused by the massive tides in the area, combine with breathtaking scenery. The Horizontal Falls in Talbot Bay create a waterfall effect as the huge tides surge between the narrow waterway.
Cruise boat on the Fitzroy River, in Geikie Gorge National ParkThe Kimberley gorges will take you back in time. Geikie Gorge, formed from where the Fitzroy River cut through the limestone formations, is striking with its shades of yellow, orange and grey walls. Fresh water crocodiles, stingrays and sawfish cruise the river below. Windjana’s 350 million year old reef rises from the plains and cool waterfalls cascade down the gorges of Bell Creek. Aboriginal rock paintings can be found on some of the gorge walls.
This is an ancient landscape where the energy and history of its original inhabitants still breathes.
Come, relax, respect and enjoy.
Cable Beach is renowned as one of the most stunning beaches in the world, with twenty-two kilometres of pristine white sands fringing the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Washed clean every day by tides that can reach over nine metres, Cable Beach provides the ideal safe environment for swimming and relaxation. Caution however is required between November and March when stingers may be present.
Cable Beach takes its name from the telegraph cable that was laid between Broome and Java in 1889 and today it provides the perfect location to enjoy the magnificent Broome sunsets.
There are a variety of watersport activities available.
For a really unique experience you can join the sunset camel rides that operate daily along the beach.
Broome is an old pearling town, and although still runs a few pearling vessels doesn't have the business it once did. There are some fabulous sandy beaches around broome, which has a modern feel to it as well as its old heritage.
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.
The main swimming beach in Broome is the famous Cable Beach, which is white sand and clear waters. The northern end of the beach offers 4WD access, and hosts a small nudist section. Sunset is marvelous here, although on a full moon head to Town Beach where you may be able to see Broome's 'Staircase to the Moon' (which is the refection of the moon on the mud flats). It is a fabulous sight, and well worth seeing. At the end of Cable Beach is Gantheaume Point, where there are some fabulous looking cliffs. There are also some dinosaur footprints, set within the cliffs which you may be able to see. Also on Gantheaume Point is a lovely rock pool called Anastasia's Pool.
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.
Broome isn't short on accommodation with a wide selection ranging from camping grounds and hostels, to motels, hotels, lodges and holiday resorts. There are also plenty of cafes as well as restaurants around Broome, with a range of styles and types of food. Nightlife in Broome is also good, with a number of places to go. A rather unique night out is to the wonderful Sun Pictures, which is a 1916 open air cinema.
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