What are the best things to do in Broome, Western Australia?
The best things to do in Broome, Western Australia, include Cable Beach camel rides, hovercraft tours, the world’s oldest outdoor cinema and the Willie Creek Pearl Farm.
Broome is one of the world’s most distinctive resort towns. Massively isolated on the north-west coast of Australia, and with a population of just over 14,000, Broome is where the outback meets the Indian Ocean. It takes serious effort to get here. The drive from Perth to Broome takes over a day, although there are flights to Broome from Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. And Broome Airport is walking distance from the town centre.
9 great Broome experiences to book today
- 1. Sunset camel ride – take in the changing colours of Cable Beach on camelback.
- 2. Horizontal Falls flight – see one of nature’s most extraordinary natural phenomena
- 3. Crocodile park visit – watch big crocs being fed up close.
- 4. Half hour helicopter ride – see the extraordinary red rock coastline from above
- 5. Dinosaur footprints adventure – including a wildlife spotting boat ride down Dampier Creek.
- 6. Sunset cruise – enjoy an Indian Ocean sunset with wine in hand
- 7. Windjana Gorge day trip – venture deeper into the rugged Kimberley.
- 8. Town tour – learn Broome’s fascinating history along the way.
- 9. Mud-crabbing experience – catch crabs in the mangroves then eat them after they’re cooked by a pro.
Things to do in Broome, WA: Cable Beach camel rides
Cable Beach is the main initial drawcard. It stretches for 22km, with 4WDers driving along it to find a prime fishing or sunbathing spot. But the most iconic form of transport at Cable Beach is the camel. Three companies offer camel rides along the beach. These include hour-long sunset journeys, which can be booked online.
Reddell Beach is the quieter, in-the-know option.
Best 5 Broome day trips to book in advance
- Horizontal Falls and Dampier Peninsula day tour – including speedboat ride and Buccaneer archipelago flight. (See other Horizontal Falls tour options here).
- Dampier Peninsula 4WD tour – including Beagle Bay’s pearl shell church, Aboriginal communities & Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm.
- Fixed wing air tour – including Cape Leveque, Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm & Horizontal Falls.
- Windjana Gorge day tour – including the Tunnel Creek caves.
- Epic full day combo – see Mitchell Falls, Horizontal Falls and the Dampier Peninsula in one trip.
Broome tidal flats tours
The beach is even bigger when the tides go out. Broome has the third biggest tides in the world; another highly distinctive feature. The best way to explore the tidal flats is by hovercraft, which can bob over then pull up on the beach.
Broome Hovercraft Tours runs trips that head out to ancient dinosaur footprints pressed into the beachside rocks. After gawping at the dinoprints, the hovercraft pulls over for snacks and sparkling wine on the tidal flats at sunset. You can also take a more conventional Broome sunset cruise.
Things to do in Broome, WA: Pearl Luggers and Willie Creek
But there are things to do in Broome beyond the beach. Broome’s pearling industry has given it a distinctive history, and an unexpectedly Asian feel (pearl lugger crews were often made up of Asian migrants).
Two of the old Pearl Luggers are now part of a museum complex. Tours go into how pearl shell was in huge demand for buttons, the dangerous conditions divers endured and why the Kimberley region has the biggest, highest quality pearl oysters in the world.
Just outside Broome, the Willie Creek Pearl farm is the best spot to learn about the modern pearl industry – how the pearls are seeded in the oysters, farmed and looked after. It includes a boat ride along the creek, and a showroom with some seriously sizable jewellery on sale. Bus tours with pick-ups from Broome hotels are available. It is also included in several day trips from Broome.
A little further north, James Price Point is home to red cliffs, white sand and ancient dinosaur footprints. A little closer, but also outside town, is the Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Farm.
Things to do in Broome, WA: Sun Pictures and Matsos Brewery
Broome’s jewellery showrooms are complemented by a host of art galleries, many focusing on indigenous art. And a trip to the flicks here has heritage gravitas – Sun Pictures is the world’s oldest outdoor cinema and has been showing movies under the stars for 100 years.
Broome also has its own brewery. Matsos is a great place to hang out in the evening, and is known for producing unusual flavoured beers. The mango beer and alcoholic ginger beer are Matsos’ most famous concoctions.
Broome accommodation recommendations
There are plenty of places to stay in Broome – mostly scarily expensive. These are the best accommodation choices if they’re available on your dates.
- For the best pool scene: Cable Beach Club Resort and Spa.
- For Cable Beach location, but considerably cheaper: RAC Cable Beach Holiday Park.
- For a good value, fairly central aparthotel: Moonlight Bay Suites.
- For character, heritage and charm: Pinctada McAlpine House.
More Western Australia travel
Wine-tasting at the Millbrook Winery in Jarrahdale, Perth Hills.
Pioneering craft beer at the Bootleg Brewery in the Margaret River region.
Swan Valley Cuddly Animal Farm vs Caversham Wildlife Park in the Swan Valley.
Climb Bluff Knoll in the Stirling Range National Park.
The Peel region: Guides to Mandurah, Preston Beach, Australind and Bunbury.