Broome is located in the West Kimberley region of Western Australia, 18 degrees south of the equator on the shores of Roebuck Bay. The town was once famous as being the pearl industry capital of the world and today is a major centre for the cultured pearl farming industry.


Natural Attractions

There are a myriad of natural attractions in and around Broome for the visitor to savour. The 22 kilometre long Cable Beach has plenty of soft white sand and crystal blue water for everyone. The beach is named after the line connecting the telegraph line linking Australia and Java in Indonesia.

Dinosaur Tracks are visible at Gantheaume Point at very low tides. In case you don't get to see the real things made 120 million years ago there is a cement cast of the prints located at the top of the cliff.

Anastasia's Pool is located on the north side of Gantheaume Point and is believed to have been made by a lighthouse keeper for his crippled wife. The Staircase to the Moon occurs during a full moon when it reflects off the mud flats at low tide to give the illusion of a staircase. The tourist centre has details of times and dates of this magical phenomenon.

A Mangrove Walk guides visitors through a 1 kilometre fully interpreted walk past 6 species of mangrove trees. Another Vine Thicket Walk located behind Cable Beach, 2 kilometres in length and passes by various plant species.

The Broome Bird Observatory is located 18 kilometres east of Broome and is renowned as one of the best bird watching centres in the world with over 245 species of birds observed here.

Malcolm Douglas Broome Crocodile Park is home to over 1000 reptiles including saltwater crocodiles, the alligator, the freshwater crocodile, caimans and New Guinea crocodile.

Historic Attractions

The Japanese Cemetery stands at Port Drive and consists of sandstone headstones carved with Japanese inscriptions in memory of 140 Japanese who were killed in the horrific cyclones of 1908. Nearby an early pioneer cemetery stands with gravestones dating from 1880.

Sun Pictures was opened in 1916 and is believed to be the oldest operating outdoor theatre in the world. The foyer has an interesting display of the original projectors used to screen films in the early days of the theatre.

The site of the wrecks of three Royal Dutch Flying Boats attacked by the Japanese Airforce in 1942 lie half buried in Roebuck Bay. A low tide these wrecks can be seen and some of the aeroplane parts are still movable.

The Horrie Miller Memorial in Weld Street is a Wackett aircraft donated to the citizens of Broome by Horrie Miller, one of the founders of MMA, later to become ANSETT Australia. Captain Gregory's house is located on Carnarvon street and reminds of the prosperous times associated with the pearling industry in Broome. Gregory was owner of the most profitable pearl business in all of Broome. His house was relocated and restored in 1986.

Broome Historical Society Museum on Hamersley street was once the town's Customs House but today houses a collection of photographs which trace the history of the settlement at Broome, a display of pearling and many other articles which build to form a complete picture of the town in its early days.

The Court House was once the old telephone cable station that linked Broome to Perth and to Banji Wanji in Indonesia. Bedford Park has several relics within its grounds such as an old train carriage, a replica of one of Dampier's tea chests and an engine from one of the Dutch flying boats sunk off Roebuck Bay.

A Broome Heritage Trail leads the visitor through various sites of interest pertaining to Broome's history and pearl industry.

Other Attractions

Matso's Store was formerly the old Union Bank and is now the Kimberley Kreations Art Gallery exhibiting art inspired by the Kimberley region.

Chinatown was originally composed of a number of pearling sheds, boarding houses and saloons - the commercial and industrial centre of the pearl industry in Broome. Today it remains much the same and most of the pearl emporia are located here.

Willie Creek Pearl Farm invites visitors to view the processes involved in growing top quality cultured pearls. Pearl Sheels and other pearl displays can be seen at a museum at Saville street and at various other places throughout the town

Other activities to be tried by the adventurous are camel riding, 4WD Adventures, scuba diving and scenic air tours. All are available in Broome.

0 of a possible 0 points from 0 votes