Broome

Once the pearling capital of the world, Broome is a cosmopolitan beach town located at the base of the pristine Dampier Peninsula, over 2,000km north of Perth. This is the traditional country of the Yawuru people and relics from the past can be seen scattered in and around the town – from dinosaur footprints embedded into the rocks, to pearling memorabilia and graveyards such as the Japanese (pearler’s) cemetery. The town sits on a peninsula, with the white sands and aquamarine waters of Cable Beach on one side (the perfect spot to watch the sun sink into the sea) and the red pindan cliffs and mangroves of Roebuck Bay on the other (the spot to watch the famous Staircase to the Moon phenomena). Whether you’re enjoying a sunrise walk from Cable Beach to Gantheaume Point; relaxing on the deck of Matsos micro-brewery; joining a tour of a local pearl farm; or just soaking up the sun poolside, one thing’s for sure … you’ll enjoy slipping into what locals call ‘Broometime’.

Broome

The pearling capital of the world is now a tourist hotspot

The Kimberley Cruise Centre was born in Broome in the ’90s, when we ran a tourism agency called Broome Eco Adventures in the heart of Chinatown, incorporating the Kimberley Cruise Centre.

Broome itself is a destination like no other, offering a unique blend of culture, history, and natural beauty. Located on the remote Kimberley coastline of Western Australia, it represents something different to everyone who visits.

This small, transient town is a mix of impermanence and enduring allure. Many who arrive are captivated but eventually find the remote lifestyle challenging. Broome sits over 2,000 kilometres from the nearest major city, and the isolation is felt in its seasonal extremes, the high cost of goods, and limited resources. Yet, for those who embrace its charms, Broome becomes a part of them, drawing them back again and again with its endless opportunities for adventure.

Back in the 1990s when we were operating our Chinatown office, Ansett was the only airline connecting Broome to the east coast, and the town’s tourism industry was just beginning to find its feet. Charlie Carters general shop was the go-to store near Town Beach, and Cable Beach had nothing more than a tiny kiosk selling milkshakes and sandwiches. Broome’s identity was evolving rapidly, becoming a hub for both tourists and fly-in-fly-out workers from nearby mines.

Despite its small size and remote location, Broome surprises visitors with its multicultural richness. Chinatown, the central shopping district, showcases the town’s diverse history. A visit to the Japanese Cemetery reveals the significant contribution of Japanese pearl divers during the pearling boom, while the Broome Historical Museum offers insights into the wild, bustling days when pearl luggers crowded the shores and Chinatown housed opium dens and billiard saloons. However, long before the pearling industry took hold, the Yawuru people thrived here, living in harmony with the land and sea.

For those willing to adapt to Broome’s laidback lifestyle, the rewards are immense. Whether it’s stargazing under unpolluted skies, learning from the wisdom of Indigenous guides, or simply savouring the peace of a remote beach, Broome leaves an indelible mark on all who visit.