Broome is the gateway to the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Even though Broome is thousands of kilometres from the nearest capital city it holds a fascination for visitors not just from Australia but also internationally. It has been transformed over the last fifty years from a sleepy backwater into a unique beach resort coloured with a genuine frontier history that is interwoven with a strong aboriginal culture.
Multicultural Broome is blessed with magnificent sunsets, expansive white sand beaches, the turquoise waters of Cable Beach and striking rust-red cliffs. The surrounding natural beauty can take your breath away and the relaxed tropical feel will captivate you from the moment you arrive.
Along its Indian Ocean coastline, the 22 kilometre white sands of Cable Beach offer a dramatic backdrop for sunset camel rides. At nearby Gantheaume Point, take a walk in the 130 million year old dinosaur footprints that are revealed in the beach’s red rocks during low tide.
Once the pearling capital of the world, Broome’s fascinating past and colourful history has provided many of the town’s attractions including the Japanese Cemetery and Chinatown. The streets are now lined with pearl showrooms but historic Chinatown still overlooks Roebuck Bay which is a jumping off point for cruises to local pearl farms and the famous Kimberley coast.
If you are lucky enough to be in Broome for the three days after the full moon from March to October you will experience the Staircase to the Moon. This beautiful phenomenon is caused by the reflection of the rising moon off the exposed mudflats. And don’t miss the movies at Sun Pictures, the oldest operating open air cinema in the world.
Broome is well worth spending a few days or a week before heading off for more adventures into the Kimberley. It is 5,000 kilometres from Coffs Harbour so make the trip worthwhile – I know I will be!
