Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Broome, Australia

Combining stunning coastal landscapes, remarkable natural phenomena, and a rich history that merits exploration, the Western Australian locale of Broome possesses many attributes.

The contemporary narrative of Broome began with the pearling industry in the 1870s.

The region’s plentiful supply of pinctada maxima oysters instigated a pearl-diving surge, ultimately establishing Australia’s first truly multicultural community.

Broome’s Chinatown currently showcases an eclectic mix of Asian culinary establishments and sparkling jewelry boutiques, while also housing the oldest open-air cinema in the world.

The coastline surrounding Broome features an impressive tidal range of 10 meters, resulting in extraordinary natural events such as Staircase to the Moon and Horizontal Falls, located in the adjacent Buccaneer Archipelago.

1. Cable Beach

It is no exaggeration to state that the 22-kilometer stretch of immaculate white sand on the western side of Broome ranks among the finest beaches globally.

Cable Beach’s pristine sands are flanked by low ochre cliffs and lapped by predominantly calm turquoise waters.

Accommodations, including campgrounds and resorts, permeate the Broome section of the beach; however, there remains ample space for all, especially during low tide and even throughout the peak season from May to October.

In terms of recreational activities, options include fishing, kayaking in gentle surf, swimming, and camel rides (details below). The latter typically occurs later in the day to capture the breathtaking sunsets visible from the west-facing beachfront.

Between October and February, the beach serves as a nesting ground for sea turtles, while the beach and the adjoining Minyirr Park reserve hold significant cultural value for the local Aboriginal community, being recognized as Broome’s dreamtime birthplace.

2. Pearl Tours

Both the past and present of Broome remain deeply connected to the lucrative pearling industry.

This town continues to produce some of the most exquisite pearls worldwide, and a visit to the upscale jewelry showrooms in Chinatown offers a glimpse of these treasures.

The industry has persevered through the Second World War, during which the entire pearling fleet was destroyed, as well as enduring competition from plastic alternatives to genuine mother of pearl.

To gain a comprehensive understanding of Broome’s pearling industry, a visit to a farm in person is essential.

This can be accomplished by participating in the Willie Creek Pearl Farm Tour, which is accessible through the online platform GetYourGuide.com.

Transport via an air-conditioned coach will take you to the establishment situated on a sheltered tidal estuary, where you will learn about every facet of the pearl-making process, from seeding to harvesting.

Additionally, the tour will illustrate the challenges involved in extracting a pearl from an oyster, and it includes a water tour of the farm.

3. Horizontal Falls

Among the remarkable natural phenomena available for viewing near Broome is Horizontal Falls.

This phenomenon occurs in a pair of canyons within the Buccaneer Archipelago, located northeast of the Dampier Peninsula.

As the tide rises, seawater accumulates more rapidly on one side of the openings than the other, resulting in fast-moving waters surging through the two passages, creating the effect of literal horizontal waterfalls.

This spectacle has received acclaim from David Attenborough, who described it as “one of the greatest wonders of the natural world.” Though accessible only by water, you can find the “Horizontal Falls Half-Day Seaplane & Boat Tour” listed on GetYourGuide.com. Following a brief seaplane flight from Broome to Talbot Bay, participants will board a high-speed boat for an exhilarating ride through the falls.

Afterward, enjoy a leisurely cruise through the archipelago’s creeks and bays, with the opportunity to swim in a large protective cage free from crocodiles or sharks.

4. Gantheaume Point

During a coastal mapping expedition in 1801, the explorer Nicolas Baudin designated this promontory in honor of the French naval officer Honoré Joseph Antoine Ganteaume.

Situated just minutes from Broome at the southern end of Cable Beach, the area features a beach on the northeast side, which serves as a launch point for fishing charters and kayaking excursions.

The promontory is celebrated for its vibrant colors, showcasing the fiery reds of the pindan cliffs against the turquoise and white of the Indian Ocean.

At extremely low tide, one can stroll out to discover dinosaur footprints fossilized in the reef rock for 125 million years.

Plaster casts of these footprints can be observed at the cliff top during other times.

Additionally, a fascinating feature is Anastasia’s Pool, a natural jacuzzi created decades ago by a lighthouse keeper to relieve his wife’s arthritis.

5. Sun Pictures Cinema

Regarded as the world’s oldest operational open-air cinema, this venue is located in Broome’s historic Chinatown.

Sun Pictures commenced operations in December 1916, having been transformed from a Noh theatre previously owned by a Japanese family that opened in 1913.

This weatherboard structure was placed on the Western Australia Heritage Register in 1996, and in 2002 an indoor cinema was introduced next door, enabling patrons to enjoy new releases and Hollywood classics regardless of the weather.

Films are presented in double features, with the schedule available on the Sun Pictures Facebook page.

A unique aspect of the outdoor cinema is its position beneath the flight route of Broome Airport, resulting in a local tradition where audiences clap as planes fly overhead.

6. Staircase to the Moon

If you are considering a visit to Broome, be sure to consult the calendar to determine if your trip will coincide with the spectacular natural event that occurs three times each month.

Staircase to the Moon transpires when the full or nearly full moon ascends above the exposed tidal flats in Roebuck Bay.

This phenomenon produces a notched beam of light that resembles steps, offering a stunning visual experience.

Pack a picnic and witness this event from the recently renovated terraces located behind Town Beach (details below). The first two nights of Staircase to the Moon each month are additionally accompanied by the Staircase Markets, while live entertainment is provided by the Mangrove Hotel Resort every staircase night.

7. Whale Watching

Each year, tens of thousands of humpback whales embark on a lengthy migration from their feeding grounds in Antarctica to the warmer waters of the Indian Ocean off the Kimberley Coast.

Arriving between June and October, these humpbacks visit the locale primarily to mate and give birth within the sheltered waters surrounding the Bonaparte and Buccaneer Archipelagos.

Whale watching excursions, which provide close encounters with these curious and acrobatic creatures, commence from Broome during the months of July to September.

One company, Broome Whale Watching, has guaranteed whale sightings on every trip since its inception in 2008. During the off-season, visitors can venture into Roebuck Bay to observe the native snubfin dolphins found along Australia’s northern coasts.

8. Broome Historical Museum

One can surmise that a locale such as Broome has captivating narratives to unfold, and the Broome Historical Museum offers numerous avenues for exploration.

Among these is an account of the series of devastating Japanese air raids on Broome in 1942, resulting in the destruction of over 20 aircraft—remnants of which can still be spotted at low tide off Town Beach.

The museum provides insights into Broome’s multicultural origins, the pearling industry that has sustained the town through generations, and the intricate Aboriginal culture that predates all else.

Additionally, the museum’s location is noteworthy; it occupies a former general store that opened in the 1890s.

9. Broome Bird Observatory

Located on the northern side of Roebuck Bay, the Broome Bird Observatory was founded in 1988 as a facility to research and appreciate the remarkable avifauna that migrates to this coastal region.

Over 300 bird species have been identified around the bountiful mudflats of Roebuck Bay, including an astonishing array of shorebirds.

The ideal time to visit spans from August to April, outside the migratory period when shorebirds breed across Asia and Siberia. However, many remain in the bay as they are not yet ready to breed.

The months from August to October are particularly remarkable, coinciding with the return of birds to the bay, many of which are still adorned in their vibrant breeding plumage.

The facility is situated within the typical pindan woodland of Dampierland, offering self-guided walks and guided tours for day visitors, as well as multi-day programs, complete with campsites and air-conditioned accommodations for overnight guests.

10. Dampier Peninsula

For some, the allure of traversing this sparsely populated and naturally captivating peninsula, positioned northeast of Broome, is irresistible.

This red-hued expanse features pindan bush, extensive tidal flats, and entirely untouched beaches.

Offshore, the waters teem with dugongs, tropical fish, sea turtles, dolphins, and humpback whales during the calving season. A diverse range of Aboriginal communities, including Djarindjin, One Arm Point (Ardyloon), Lombadina, and Beagle Bay, inhabit the peninsula, sharing the land with remote pearling camps.

To fully immerse oneself in the experience of the Dampier Peninsula, visiting the Broome Visitor Centre is recommended; they can connect you with a guide who will provide an Aboriginal perspective.

You will discover the craft of spear-making, experience mud crab catching, and sample traditional bush tucker.

Adventurous travelers can also opt to explore the peninsula independently in a 4WD vehicle, and the visitor centre can assist in arranging vehicle rentals and responsible travel preparations.

11. Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park

This animal sanctuary, located just outside the town along Broome Road, honors the legacy of the filmmaker, crocodile farmer, and conservationist Malcolm Douglas (1941-2010). Accessed through the enormous fiberglass jaws of a saltwater crocodile, the park showcases some of the largest crocodiles on display worldwide.

Participate in a daily feeding tour to appreciate the remarkable strength of these reptiles, while the park also provides a variety of other wildlife, including numerous birds, snakes, wallabies, kangaroos, emus, and a cassowary.

In the on-site shop, you can explore Malcolm Douglas’ 40-year career as a documentary filmmaker and browse an assortment of products made from saltwater crocodiles.

12. Broome Town Beach

This stretch of waterfront, ideal for witnessing the Staircase to the Moon, has undergone significant transformation in recent years.

With the reconstruction of the terrace and revetment wall, an inviting, landscaped green space has emerged along the foreshore, complete with a new water park for children, shaded by vibrant canopies.

By consulting the tide times, one can venture out onto the tidal flats for an extended walk, passing remnants of WWII-era Catalina flying boats that were destroyed during Japanese air raids, typically hidden beneath the ocean’s surface.

Adjacent to the Water Park and Town Beach Cafe is the Pioneer Cemetery, which contains 11 gravesites—the oldest of which dates back to 1883, the year Broome achieved town status.

13. Camel Tours

The expansive sands and significant tidal range of Cable Beach create an enchanting setting for a sunset adventure.

Climb onto a gentle camel for a trek across the tidal flats, illuminated by the low sun reflecting off the beach.

The blend of ocean and sky hues, along with the sight of your caravan mirrored in the dazzling sands, will linger in your memory long after you leave.

The camels are accessed from a platform, and your guide will gladly take photographs along the beach.

Additionally, there are numerous opportunities to engage with the camels and learn about their behavior, diet, and history.

Three companies offer sunset camel tours on Cable Beach: Red Sun Camels, Broome Camel Safaris, and Sundowner Camel Tours.

14. Kimberley Cruises

Horizontal Falls is merely one of the many extraordinary natural marvels awaiting discovery along the Kimberley Coast.

To experience these wonders, you will find an array of tour operators and charter companies offering packages tailored to your itinerary and budget, including Kimberley Coast Cruises, True North, Go Beyond Broome, Coral Expeditions, One Time Charters, and Kimberley Expeditions.

Some cruises even feature helicopter tours that allow you to view this breathtaking landscape from the air.

For an initial glimpse of the splendor on offer, there’s the expansive Montgomery Reef, which appears to rise from the ocean at low tide, the cascading terraces of King’s Cascades, the exquisite Aboriginal rock art at Raft Point, and the towering, 80-meter King George Falls.

15. Broome Courthouse Markets

Established in 1889, Broome’s functioning courthouse originated as the town’s cable station until its conversion into a court in 1921. Every Saturday year-round, and on Sundays from April to October, the heritage-listed gardens host a lively market featuring over 100 vendors.

Amidst the ambiance of live music, attendees can browse seasonal fruits and vegetables, handmade garments, jewelry, leather products, home goods, arts and crafts, cosmetics, plants, flowers, and much more.

Come with an appetite as a variety of food trucks and stalls offer Thai cuisine, kebabs, burgers, Filipino dishes, arrosticini, lumpia, ice cream, and crepes, to name just a few.