19 Best Things To Do In Broome
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The third-largest town in Western Australia, Broome is a place like no other. A hub for international travelers and locals alike, the coastal destination has been attracting people from all corners of the world since it was founded in 1883 and it’s said that Broome has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
I had an amazing two weeks of camping in the Dampier Peninsula, exploring off-road places, swimming in rock pools, and relaxing on the beaches of Broome. I never expected to have such a great time camping in the Australian outback during winter!
So, if you’re interested in checking out gorgeous turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, and red-colored cliffs, then Broome is for you.
Keep reading to find out what the 19 best things to do in Broome are as this attractive and laidback town has so much more to offer than only camping or swimming,
How to get to Broome
Broome is located in the remote area of North West of Australia, which makes it harder to reach than other destinations. Although, a road trip from Perth to Broome is an amazing way to get here with amazing stops along the way.
If you don’t have the time to make a road trip then the best option is to fly toits international airport.
By Flight:
Broome has an International airport and despite it being a very famous destination among travelers, it is not that busy as Bali or Phuket. The reason for that is probably that it’s harder to reach and it’s not very cheap.
However, if you are planning to take a flight to Broome, I recommend searching your flights in advance.
By Car:
My favorite is making a road trip from Perth to Broome, it’s probably the most beautiful road trip you will ever make. There are not many roads leading to Broome which makes it also easier to get.
If you come from the Northern Territory, you’ll also have no regrets as the road trip through the Kimberleys, is one of the most unique road trips in Australia.
So whether the direction you are coming from, a road trip to Broome is always a good idea, just make a playlist on Spotify and enjoy the trip
And if you don’t have your own car or campervan, there are plenty of rental companies such as Britz, Maui, and Apollo
Read also: From Perth to Broome: the best road trip in Western Australia
By Bus:
As far as I know, the only way to reach Broome by bus from Perth is with the Integrity Coachline that has 2 options to choose from, The bus that goes along the coastline of Western Australia to Broome or the Inland service that goes along the highway and stops in Meekatharra and Newman.
The prices of the Integrity Coachline are around AU$190-250 for a one-way trip and will take about 35 hours.
It is also possible to reach Broome from Darwin with the Greyhound bus. This trip will take about 24 hours and makes a few stops along the way. Prices go from AU$250 to 400 for a one-way trip.
Integrity Coachlines: www.integritycoachlines.com.au
Greyhound: www.greyhound.com.au
The Best Time To Visit Broome
The best time to visit Broome is from around April to August when the weather isn’t too hot. I recommend traveling to Broome during these months because it’s comfortable enough for you to enjoy the beach but not too hot where you’re dying of heat all day.
If you come during winter, it’s the perfect moment for stargazing and watching the milky way but also for the phenomenon of the famous Staircase Of The Moon, which only happens once when it’s a full moon.
Keep in mind that wintertime is also the busiest time of the year as all the Australians are taking their campers and mobile homes up the North to escape the cold weather in the South.
I went twice to Broome in August and I recommend booking your accommodation or campsites a few months in advance as spaces are very limited here.
Where to stay in Broome
There are a lot of places to stay in Broome but as I mentioned before, book in advance as, during the peak season, accommodations are booked out very fast. I went twice to Broome and during my last visit, I had to stay a few nights on a community overflow camping as ALL campgrounds & caravan parks were fully booked.
But Broome has also some of the best luxury hotels in Australia where you can relax or enjoy the amazing facilities after a long camping trip in the outback.
The Kimberley Sands Hotel in Broome is only a 5-minute drive from the famous Cable Beach.you won’t regret your stay here as it has a beautiful pool and it’s close to most of the things to do in Broome.
The rooms are also pretty affordable for all the luxury amenities you get, so if you don’t have a specific budget for your trip, this place will be perfect for your stay.
The second place I recommend is Cable Beach Caravan Park which is located directly opposite Cable Beach. This place has everything from a café, laundry facilities, a pool, and barbeque areas.
I stayed here a few days as the other campgrounds were fully booked and they had some spaces left right next to the refreshing pool. It is not the cheapest caravan park but this place is perfect because it’s affordable and close to Cable Beach in Broome.
19 Best Things to do in Broome
Watch The Famous Cable Beach Camel Rides
Camel safaris on Cable Beach are one of the most popular tourist attractions in Broome. It’s a 22-kilometer-long beach with fine white sand and is accessible for 4-wheel drive vehicles. However, if you want to do a unique experience and for many a bucket list in Australia, then you can take a on of the camel rides in Broome.
Every day with sunset, organized camel safaris are walking along the beach, while other travelers are just relaxing and enjoying the sunset. and when the sun sets and the camels pass by it creates beautiful scenery and it is the perfect moment to make some stunning photos.
It is hard to explain how magical this feels and that’s why you should add this place to your bucket list!
BOOK: A sunset camel ride on Cable Beach in Broome
Explore Gantheaume Point And Find Dinosaur Footprints
Located just outside the town of Broome lies the Gantheaume Point Reserve. It’s a coastal reserve where you can find million-year-old dinosaur footprints if you are lucky. To have the best chance go with extremely low tide to search for these footprints.
I didn’t find any myself but on the top of the cliffs, they made replicas of the footprints to show you how they actually look like, Very interesting that these footprints are kept for millions of years.
In case dinosaur footprints are not your interest, Gantheaume Point is also the perfect spot to watch the sunset or maybe spot some turtles and even whales in the sea.
BOOK: A visit to Gantheaume Point is included in this half-day tour around Broome
Cool Down In One Of The Many Hidden Rock Pools Around Gantheaume Point
Gantheaume Point is home to one of the best-preserved dinosaur footprints globally and various hidden rock pools perfect for cooling down. These pools have been carved out by the continuous pounding of waves from the Indian Ocean for thousands of years.
The rockpools of Gantheaume Point are usually shallow and clear, so it’s the perfect spot to take a refreshing dip. Some of the rock pools are hard to find as they are only filled with water when the tides are high enough, though, the hard journey is worth the result when you get to enjoy these beautiful spots unhindered by anyone else.
Spot Whales Or Turtles Along The Cliffs Of The Indian Ocean ( Or Crocodiles If You Are Lucky)
The Indian Ocean near Broome is a haven for sea turtles and whales but also for crocodiles so be aware when you enter the water. The sightings of these creatures in the wild are not often, but spotting even one of them can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
You might also get lucky enough to see crocodiles that lurk in the waters of Roebuck Bay and Cable Beach. During my stay in Broome, Cable Beach was closed several times as they spotted a crocodile near the coastline.
Witness The Phenomena Of The Staircase to The Moon
Staircase to the moon or stairway to the moon is an incredible sight when the moon rises above Roebuck Bay. The town of Broome is the perfect setting for this beautiful natural phenomenon that many people come from worldwide to witness. The best time of the year to see the full moon is between May and August.
Keep an eye on the website and local information boards to know when and where the event will take place. Some of the best spots to watch the staircase to the moon are Town Beach and The Mangrove Hotel.
Wander Around The Markets In Broome:
There are many markets in Broome to choose from. The most popular ones are the weekly Thursday Night Market with a lot of food trucks, clothes, handicrafts & jewel stalls, while the Broome Saturday Courthouse Market is an amazing market in the town with lots of vegetables and fruit stalls, fresh nuts, and handmade produce.
MORE INFO: Find more information about the Broome Markets here
Watch A Movie In The Oldest Outdoor Cinema In Australia
The Broome Cinema is the oldest outdoor cinema in Australia. It was built around 1930 before air conditioning and sound systems were installed inside theatres. Nowadays, it’s still fully functional with people coming here to watch some of the newest movies.
The cinema is located in the middle of the town of Broome and you can bring your own drinks and snacks. Make sure you also bring a pillow to sit on as the seats are pretty hard to sit on for more than an hour.
BOOK: This amazing half-day tour includes a visit to the Sun Pictures Cinema in Broome.
Walk-Up The Roebuck Bay Lookout
Located a few minutes walking from Chinatown,the Roebuck Bay Lookout is a great place to see some of the best panoramic views in Broome and the mangroves.
Supported by Western Australia Tourism and in collaboration with the students of the aboriginal communities they developed this amazing viewpoint.
Drive With A 4×4 On Cable Beach
Cable Beach in Broome is unique as it is one of the best beaches to explore with a 4×4. Once you pass the rocks at the beach access point you can drive along a 22-km long white beach and enjoy the most epic sunsets in the world.
Just be aware of the tides as Broome is also known to have the highest tides with up to 9 meters.
Watch The Most Stunning Sunsets On Cable Beach
This is another reason to visit Cable Beach. You can see the sun dip into the waters during sunset, creating a gorgeous pinkish-orange glow in the sky.
And as I have seen a lot of sunrises during my travels of the past few years, I can tell you that this one is magical! There is nothing more beautiful than watching the sunset on Cable Beach with the silhouettes of the camels in the foreground.
Cable Beach in Broome is just a place that you have to see at least once in your life if you’re ever in Australia.
Relax In A Luxury Resort In Broome
Kimberley Sands Resort is a spectacular and luxurious resort with great amenities located just a few minutes walking from Cable Beach and a 5-minute drive from the town of Broome.
The resort has a great restaurant, a gym, an amazing pool, and the rooms are just excellent, so you’ll never get bored staying here. During my stay, I had the privilege to stay in one of their Courtyard One Bedroom Suites.
BOOK: Your stay at the Kimberley Sands Resort in advance as during the peak season accommodations are booked out fast.
Join a Willie Creek Pearl Farm Tour
This is one of the best things to do in Broome if you’re looking for something educational and different. The Willie Creek Pearl Farm Tour showcases how pearls are farmed, harvested, and prepared into fine jewelry that’s shipped all around the world.
You’ll learn about the entire process here and even get to see how they make pearl necklaces! If you want to be more hands-on, there are also opportunities for you to try opening oysters yourself.
BOOK: A unique experience is to visit the Willie Creek Pearl Farm and combine it with a helicopter flight over the stunning beaches of Broome
Float On The Creek Of Coconut Wells With High Tide
You definitely need to visit the Coconut Wells when you visit Broome. The Coconut Wells are located about 40km from Broome and probably one of the best hidden gems in the Dampier Peninsula.
The best time to visit this unique place is when the tides are more than 8,5m high as the water will go all the way up into the creek and make a giant pool.
Spend A Night Camping On The Red Cliffs In James Price Point
James Price Point is known to be one of the most beautiful camping spots in Broome. It’s got stunning red cliffs, calm waters, and some amazing sunsets. During the day, you can view marine life like ray, sharks and dolphins on the shore near here.
However, the best part about this place is that you can camp overnight on the cliffs and stargaze while making dinner on a campfire. There are no facilities here, so take your rubbish with you.
This is a great camping experience for outdoor lover who love exploring nature and I recommend to come early to secure a beautiful spot as it is a popular place among other travellers.
Explore The Beaches Of Kooljaman At Cape Leveque
Cape Leveque is located by North Bardi, which is about 2 hours away from Broome. This place has some beautiful beaches that are not like the others in Broome. You can visit two beaches – East- or West beach, depending on your preference.
West Beach is more dangerous because there are sharks and strong currents; you should avoid swimming at this spot unless you know what you’re doing. However, if you want to snorkel, go for the East beach, which offers great views of marine life and some beautiful coral spots.
Make sure to bring your own food and drinks when visiting this place because there is a small shop at the reception of the campground.
BOOK: If you don’t have your own 4×4, you can enjoy this amazing day trip from Broome to visit the beaches of Cape Leveque
Watch The Beautiful Colour Contrast At Simpson Beach
Another great place to visit in Broome is Simpson Beach. This beach has stunning turquoise waters and red sand cliffs surrounding it. There are also mangrove trees on this beach, making it feel like you’re in the middle of an oasis.
You can walk along the shoreline for hours if you want or simply sit down and admire the amazing views here.
Visit the Matsos Ginger Beer Brewery
If you love beer, Matsos Brewery is the place for you in Broome. Located within walking distance from Town Beach, this amazing brewery offers sample plates with 4 different beers to taste from and some great finger food.
My favorite is the Matso Ginger beer with chili but it was quite spicy.
BOOK: Try some of the best beers at the Matsos Brewery with a half-day guided tour.
Discover Hidden Gems In Pender Bay
Pender Bay is located in the north of the Dampier Peninsula and is one of those hidden gems in Australia. This place is perfect for outdoor lovers because it is remote and you can camp overnight on the cliffs here!
There are some small beaches and an amazing rock pool around the shoreline, make sure to visit the rock pool but ask for information at the campground as it is located on Aboriginal land.
You can also explore more of Pender Bay by walking further down the cliffs, which lead to other parts of the bay that only locals know about.
Stargaze At The Dampier Peninsula
If you like to watch the stars, the Dampier Peninsula is the place for you in Broome. This place offers perfect conditions for stargazing during wintertime because there is no light pollution in this area.
So, if you go to one of the campsites along the red cliffs during winter time when it’s dark at night, I’m sure you’ll be able to see countless stars without any issues. Just make sure that if you ever camp here overnight, bring enough water and warm clothes because I think it can get pretty cold at night!
I hope you enjoyed reading my guide on the best things to do in Broome during your stay. I spent two weeks exploring this town, and even though it’s very small, there are so many fun things you can do here.
If you’re looking for a place to visit in Australia, make sure you include Broome on your list. It’s a beautiful town filled with friendly people and a beautiful coastline. Plus, it would be a great chance for you to see the phenomena of The Staircase of the Moon!
If you have any other questions about Broome, feel free to ask me anytime.
Plan your stay in Broome with my favorite travel apps
To plan my adventures, I use these FREE websites and apps as they provide the best information, the best deals, and they are user-friendly.
- Skyscanner – Flight deals
- Booking.com – Hotels and accommodation
- TourRadar – Group trips
- TripAdvisor – Reviews and activities
- HostelWorld – Hostels
- GetYourGuide – Activities and excursions
- RentalCars – Car rental
- Omio – Transport
- iVisa – Travel documents
- InsuredNomads – Travel Insurance
PICTURES AND EDITING
All the pictures on this page are made and owned by me. If you are interested in some pictures to use for your magazine, website, blog, or any other purpose, just send me an email and we’ll figure it out.
Do you like the edits? My Presets will be online soon so you can edit your pictures in just one click!
The camera gear I used for this trip
I never go out without my camera and many people ask me which gear I use. So to make it quite easy, I listed all the gear I used for this trip below.
Most of the time, I travel with the Sony A7III and the Sony 24-105mm/f4 as my primary lens but depending on the location, I change to another setup. However, I love the Tamron 17-28 to shoot in the big cities.
Razali
Hi! I enjoyed reading your article and would like to experience some of the activities. Hence, I plan to visit Broome in the first 2 weeks of December. What do you think of this timing weather-wise?
Mik Simons
Thank you so much for reading the article and happy to hear that you enjoyed it. Honestly, I went a few times to Broome between June and September as this is the best period.
In December, it can be hot, humid and you have some chance on tropical storms.
Hope this will help you with your travel plans.
Cheers