43 Things To Do in Broome: Locals Guide 2023
Kaya, hello I’m Wendy, a Western Australian local who loves visiting Broome.
With its stunning beaches, unique attractions, and laid-back vibe Broome offers something for everyone. So, let me help you plan what attractions to see and things to do while you’re there.
Broome is a coastal town in Western Australia’s North West that is known for its pearls and stunning beaches. While it may be a small town, there are plenty of things to do in Broome. From exploring the natural beauty of the area to learning about the town’s history, visitors will find plenty to keep them busy during their stay.
1. 30 minute Colours of Broome Scenic Helicopter Flight
Broome Scenic Helicopter Flight Summary
Tour Length: 30 minutes
Departs: Broome
Rating: 5⭐️
Dates: Various
Highlights:
- Seeing the long stretch of white sand on Cable Beach
- the rugged red Pindan Cliffs
- Turquoise waters of Willie Creek
- incredible photo opportunities
2. Sunset Whale Watching Cruise Broome
Rating: 5/5⭐️ with over 1,400 reviews on TripAdvisor
Tour Length ⏰ 5 hours
If you are visiting Broome between June and September, I recommend a sunset whale-watching cruise in the Indian Ocean.
You can read more about the one we did in our Broome Whale Watching Tour post.
3. Scenic flight over the Buccaneer Archipelago
Rating: 5/5⭐️ with over 490 reviews
Tour Length ⏰ 6 hours
Another five-star tour from over 500 reviews is this Buccaneer Explorer.
This Broome scenic flight flies over Horizontal Falls before heading to the Buccaneer Archipelago, home to 1,000 islands made of Precambrian sandstone over 2 billion years old. You then get to explore Kooljaman at Cape Leveque with refreshments and a swim before the coastal return flight along the bays and beaches of the Dampier Peninsula. Enjoy the spectacular views of Beagle Bay, James Price Point, Willie Creek Pearl Farm and Broome’s world-famous Cable Beach.
4. Horizontal Falls
KAS Helicopters
Rating: 5/5⭐️ with over 490 reviews
Tour Length ⏰ 6 hours
May to October Only
This tour to Horizontal Falls departs from Broome to Derby in a fixed-wing aircraft where you’ll then transfer to a helicopter. As you fly over the falls, be amazed at the stunning patterns created by the large tides as your local pilot provides a commentary.
Be prepared for spectacular views of Horizontal Falls before landing on the houseboat for lunch before a boat trip to the mouth of the falls, around Talbot Bay and Cyclone Creek.
This tour will be an experience you’ll always remember.
Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures
Rating: 5/5⭐️ with over 530 reviews
Tour Length ⏰ Half-day or full-day
You can see the spectacular Horizontal Falls, described by naturalist David Attenborough as one of the world’s great natural wonders, on this half-day tour from Broome, which receives a five-star rating from 550 reviews.
A scenic seaplane flight takes you to Talbot Bay, then board the fastest boat in Kimberly to splash through the narrow, cliff-wrapped cataracts with an expert skipper. Follow this exhilarating experience with a relaxing cruise through the bays and creeks of the remote bay. An onboard barbecue lunch is provided before your scenic return flight to Broome.
The flight time from Broome to Horizontal Falls is about 75 minutes.
Alternatively, this full-day tour from Broome includes spectacular aerial views of the falls and the Buccaneer Archipelago from a scenic flight, a thrilling boat ride through Horizontal Falls and a 4×4 tour along the Dampier Peninsular, including the Pearl Shell Church at Beagle Bay.
Unfortunately, we haven’t managed to take this tour yet, but it’s at the top of our list for when we return.
5. Willie Creek Pearl Farm Tour
Rating: 4.5/5⭐️ with over 2,195 reviews
Pearls are such a big part of Broome’s history that we had to find out more about the pearling industry. Learn about the process of modern cultured pearl farming and the difference between Keshi Pearls and the most revered pearl in the world, the Australian South Sea Cultured Pearl.
You can find out more in this Willie Creek Farm Tour review or treat yourself to a Half-Day Willie Creek Pearl Farm Tour with Helicopter Flight for a truly magical experience.
6. Lunch at Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm
Rating: 5/5⭐️ with over 180 reviews
Tour Length ⏰ 11 hours
On this Cygnet Bay Explorer tour, you fly over the Horizontal Falls and the Buccaneer Archipelago, then have morning tea and a swim at Kooljaman Cape Leveque. On your sea safari, explore the giant tides and enjoy a Pearl Discovery Tour in Cygnet Bay. Here you will learn about the cultivation of some of the world’s most sought-after and beautiful pearls before lunch at Cygnet Bay Pearl Farms’ on-site restaurant.
This is another option to see Cygnet Bay, the Horizontal Falls, and the Buccaneer Archipelago.
7. Windjana Explorer
Rating: 5/5⭐️
Available: May – September
Tour Length ⏰ 10 hours
Flight Time ✈️🚁 3 hours
Fly over Roebuck Bay and the mangroves of the Roebuck Plains and see the Fitzroy River as you approach the Napier Range. You’ll head to Windjana Gorge on an air-conditioned 4WD tour bus where you’ll be met by a local Bunuba Aboriginal Guide with a welcome to country and smoking ceremony.
Walk through Windjana Gorge with your guide and learn about the spiritual significance of the gorge and view freshwater crocodiles in their natural habitat.
After lunch, walk along the 750m long Tunnel Creek that runs beneath the 350-million-year-old Devonian Reef System. The last stop are the historic ruins of Lillimooloora Police Station.
8. Bungle Bungle Explorer
Rating: 5/5⭐️
Tour Length ⏰ 11 hours
This small-group tour of the Bungle Bungles starts with a scenic flight above the Indian Ocean coastline and the inland ranges to East Kimberley, including the Bungle Bungle Massif. You’ll land at a remote airstrip and be met by an indigenous guide, who will take you on a moderate, short hike to Cathedral Gorge and lookout.
Flight time from Broome to the Bungle Bungles is around 90 minutes.
9. Fishing Charter
Are you looking for the ultimate fishing charter experience? Then look no further than Broome Tours WA. Their experienced and knowledgeable crew have years of experience fishing these waters, so they know exactly where to find what you’re after. Whether it’s trawling for Spanish Mackerel, raising a Sailfish or bottom bouncing for Coral Trout, they can make it happen for you all in one unforgettable day out on the water.
They optimise the conditions based on tide, weather, and time of the season to give you the best chance at landing that trophy fish. The boat, Ballena, is fully equipped with state-of-the-art navigational systems and safety equipment, so you can relax and enjoy your day without worrying about a thing.
So book your exclusive fishing charter with Broome Tours WA and let them take care of everything else!
10. Mud Crabbing Adventure
Rating: 5/5⭐️
Tour Length ⏰ 5 hours
Are you looking for a unique and exciting adventure? Look no further than a mud crabbing tour on Roebuck Bay! This amazing tour offers visitors the opportunity to explore the stunning natural beauty of The Bay while also getting hands-on with some of its most interesting inhabitants.
From complimentary transfers to light morning tea, this tour is filled with all sorts of wonderful surprises that will make your day extraordinary.
So why wait? Book this incredible mud crabbing adventure tour now!
11. Edgar Ranges Explorer Heli Flight
Rating: 5/5⭐️ with over 50 reviews
Tour Length ⏰ 3 hours
Let one of KAS Helicopters’ experienced local pilots take you on spectacular scenic flight to the striking Edgar Ranges, on the edge of the remote Great Sandy Desert.
Listen to the live commentary as you fly along the Roebuck Bay coastline with its crystal clear turquoise waters and distinctive red pindan cliffs. Then head across the Roebuck Plains and cattle stations country for an incredible view of the Kimberley region.
At the Ranges, you’ll fly up valleys and around towering buttes for a unique birds eye view and superb photo opportunities, before landing to take in the impressive landscape.
12. Sunset, Seafood & Pearling Cruise
Rating: 5/5⭐️ with over 60 reviews
Tour Length ⏰ 4 hours
Book this three-in-one tour and enjoy a fully-inclusive afternoon and evening cruise on board a deluxe boat.
Sit back and relax while you take in the views of Broome’s coastline before a pearling demonstration and live pearl harvest at Cygnet Bay’s Broome Pearls.
The 7-course feast includes fresh seafood and a rare chance to try pearl meat! Premium beverages are also included.
It’s an incredible cruise, perfect for a romantic afternoon.
13. Sunset Cruise
Rating: 4.5/5⭐️ with over 50 reviews
Tour Length ⏰ 4 hours
Are you looking for an unforgettable way to experience the beauty of Broome? Look no further than the Sunset Cruise on board Ballena! Enjoy an incredible journey as you sail along the pristine coastline and take in the magnificent views with a drink in hand, and savour delicious canapés.
Or you can cool down in the boom net at the back of the boat.
In addition to providing an unforgettable experience at sea, this cruise offers plenty of opportunities for wildlife spotting – dolphins are commonly seen swimming alongside the boat as it sails through the water.
A courtesy bus transfer from your accommodation is included so that your cruise is completely stress-free.
14. Cable Beach
Visit the 22 km long famous Cable Beach, which got its name from the submarine telegraph cable laid between Broome and Java in 1889.
It’s a beautiful beach to walk along, or you can sit down and watch the hive of activity. There are sun loungers available to hire if you want to spend longer here.
Broome Tides
Broome and the rest of the Kimberley coast have the biggest tides in the southern hemisphere. There’s about a 10-metre difference between high and low tides, so check the times. It can be a long walk to the ocean at low tide.
15. Camel Ride along Cable Beach
Sunset camel rides along Cable Beach are one of the most popular things to do in Broome. Three companies run the camel trains, which we have detailed in our blog post Camel Ride in Broome.
Along with the Whale Watching tour, it was the highlight of our week in Broome, and I would thoroughly recommend it.
16. Explore rock pools
The kids enjoyed a walk along the beach at low tide to check out the rock pools that had formed.
17. Snubfin Dolphin Eco Cruise
Rating: 5/5⭐️ with over 340 reviews
Tour Length ⏰ 4 hours
If you’re here outside of whale watching season, this Snubfin Dolphin Eco Cruise is run by Broome Whale Watching with 5-star reviews.
18. Dinosaur Footprints & Gantheaume Point
Do you know Broome is the only place in Australia where you can currently see Sauropod tracks?
There are a few places in Broome where dinosaur tracks can be found:
- Entrance Point
- Maralagun
- Yinara – Reddell Point and Reddell Beach south
- Gulbanwila
- Gantheaume Point
Gantheaume Point is the most popular place to see them, but it is dangerous. They can only be seen at extremely low tides, and climbing on the slippery rocks is risky.
More information on the history of these tracks and where to find them can be found on the Dinosaurcoast website.
It is a beautiful spot to explore and especially spectacular at sunrise or sunset. The tones of the light bring out the beauty of the red rocks.
Scenic and Prehistoric Boat Tour
Rating: 5/5⭐️ with over 50 reviews
Tour Length ⏰ 5 hours
A safer way to see the dinosaur footprints is on this Scenic and Prehistoric Boat Tour by Broome Hovercraft, where you can explore 130 million year old dinosaur footprints, secluded bays and meander up the creek inlets on a purpose-built shallow landing vessel.
19. Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park
Rating: 5/5⭐️ with over 260 reviews.
Visit Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park for the daily feeding tour, which showcases some of the largest crocodiles on display in Australia. The park is also home to colourful birdlife, Cassowary, kangaroos, emus, camels, dingoes, and perenties. You may get the chance to hold a baby crocodile.
If you don’t have your own transport, book this tour from Broome and Around which includes transfers.
20. Broome Town
If you’re not staying in town, the Broome Explorer Bus runs seven days a week and is a cheap way to get around Broome. You will find bus stops close to major accommodation, Town Beach, Cable Beach, Chinatown, and Boulevard Shopping Centre.
If you’re planning on visiting a lot of places, a Pass is great value, where you’ll get unlimited travel for 24 or 72 hours. Alternatively, the ten multi-rider tickets are also good value. You can purchase the tickets as you board the bus (credit cards are accepted).
Prices on their website in November 2023:
| Pass | Adult | Concession |
| 72 hour pass | A$35 | A$30 |
| 24 hour pass | A$15 | A$12 |
| 10 tickets | A$38 | A$20 |
| One-way | A$4.50 | A$2.50 |
Download a copy of the Broome Explorer Bus timetable along with a map.
The Broome Visitor Centre is on Hamersley Street and opposite Coles if you want a map.
21. Courthouse Markets
The Courthouse Markets are open Saturday 8 am to 12 pm all year round and Sunday 8 am to 12 pm, April to October. There are a variety of stalls selling local produce and crafts, plus food vans, in the beautiful grounds of the heritage-listed Broome Courthouse. They are worth a browse if you are in the area.
22. Broome Courthouse
Broome Courthouse was the old Cable Station constructed in 1889 for the Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Company, which was granted permission to lay the submarine cable. This building was one of the first pre-fabricated buildings in Australia’s North West with ironwork designed and made in England and the teak imported from Singapore.
In 1914, EET took up the cable and closed the cable station. The WA Government bought the building in 1921 for 3000 pounds and spent another 1100 pounds converting it into a courthouse.
The restoration works finished in 1998.
23. Movies at Sun Pictures
Sun Pictures cinema holds the record for The World’s Oldest Outdoor Picture Garden. It was built in 1903 and owned by the Yamasaki family as an Asian store. They loved theatre and used part of it as a Japanese playhouse where traditional Noh theatre was performed.
It was bought by Ted Hunter, a pearler, in 1913, who turned it into a picture theatre that could seat 500 people. Sun Pictures opened in December 1916 and attracted people from all around.
The full history can be found on the Sun Pictures website.
Watching a movie at this historic site is a much-loved activity for locals and holidaymakers alike.
24. Streeters Jetty
Streeters Jetty was built around 1890 to service the pearl industry. Pearl luggers dropped off their shells to the sorting sheds, and a trolley rail line ran the length of the jetty for easy offloading. The Indigenous and Asian locals used the jetty for swimming and fishing as this was the only place to do so.
The government took ownership of the 69m long jetty in 1998 and carried out much-needed conservation work.
Dampier Creek is surrounded by green mangroves and is still a great fishing, crabbing, and bird-watching spot. Bats also live in the mangroves, and you can watch them fly out to find food just after the sun sets.
The jetty is subject to great variations in the tide. If you want to see the crabs, head there in low tide, but if you’re going to see the emerald green water, then choose high tide. We visited at both times and recommend doing so if you have time – it was amazing to see all the crabs and the stunning water at high tide.
25. Broome’s Chinatown
Chinatown is the main shopping area in Broome. It differs from most other cities’ Chinatowns as it only contains three Chinese restaurants but has numerous retail shops.
In the early days, it was full of pearling sheds, opium dens, and noodle houses. You can find some of the original buildings down Carnarvon Street.
Johnny Chi Lane is a historical lane with storyboards along the walls. They describe and tell stories of when the first ships landed in Broome, through the history of pearling, WWII up to the present day.
The lane is named after Johnny Chi, who worked in the pearling industry and invested in property in Broome and Chinatown.
26. Roebuck Bay Lookout
Located at the top end of Dampier Terrace, this lookout provides sweeping views of Roebuck Bay and the stunning turquoise water. It is part of the Jetty to Jetty walk.
27. Broome Panoramic Town Tour
Rating: 5/5⭐️ with over 530 reviews
Tour Length ⏰ 150 mins
On this personalised Broome Panoramic Town Tour, you’ll learn about the unique history, extraordinary stories and magnificent sights of Broome. You will see Cable Beach, Gantheaume Point, Broome Jetty, Town Beach and the WWII attack site of the flying boats. Find out about the town’s pearling history and stories of Chinatown and see Broome’s oldest buildings and Sun Pictures, the world’s oldest operating open-air picture garden.
28. Sunset at Cable Beach
After a busy day sightseeing, head to Cable Beach to watch the captivating sunset. There’s a friendly atmosphere as a lot of people gather on the grass to watch the sun slowly fade into the ocean.
If you’d rather take in the view from a restaurant or bar, Zanders or Cable Beach Club Resort are popular choices.
29. Picnic at Cable Beach
Pack a picnic and head to Cable Beach’s grassed area. There are trees to provide some shade and plenty of grass to throw a rug down. You will find a few picnic tables here too. What better place to enjoy your food than views of Cable Beach?
30. Broome Bird Observatory
The Clive Minton Discovery Centre is in the Broome Bird Observatory’s visitor centre, where you can experience immersive soundscapes, beautiful footage, and up-to-date science of migratory shorebirds.
Entry is A$10 for adults, A$8 for seniors and free for under-16s, tour participants and overnight guests.
31. Broome Museum
The Broome Historical Museum is on Robinson Street, opposite Seaview Shopping Centre. The Broome Explorer Bus stops close by, or you can walk there, as we did, from the town centre.
Entrance was A$12 per adult, but children were free, and the museum provides a fascinating look at the history of Broome.
Broome Museum is housed in three heritage buildings that contain exhibits, videos, and photographs. Here you can learn all about the settlement of Broome, along with the town’s pearling industry, wartime, and transport.
If you don’t get to find the dinosaur footprints, you can see some here.
32. Flying Boat Wrecks
Nine Japanese aircraft attacked 15 flying boats refuelling in Roebuck Bay on the 3rd March 1942. They were transporting refugees (mainly women and children) from Java to the southern states of Australia. It’s unknown how many died in this attack, but it is thought to be around 80.
This Broome attraction is only visible on a low tide of one metre or less. Unfortunately, the tide wasn’t low enough to see them (photo from a brochure).
If you are lucky enough to time it right, please be respectful and not get too close to these living graves.
33. Cemeteries
There are three cemeteries to visit while in Broome.
The Japanese and Chinese Cemetery is where you will find Obelisks marking the graves of over 900 Japanese pearlers and the final resting place of Broome’s Chinese Community.
Broome Cemetery has many historic graves, including that of the Flying Nurse known as the Sugar Bird Lady.
We took a look at the Pioneer Cemetery, which overlooks Roebuck Bay. It contains the graves of many pioneers and explorers of Broome’s past.
34. Galleries
The spectacular contrast of colours in the Kimberley region has attracted photographers and artists capturing the stunning landscape.
A favourite of mine is Short St Gallery, Australia’s leading contemporary Art Gallery specialising in Aboriginal Art from remote Indigenous communities. Exhibitions change monthly and showcase the numerous cultures that make up this country.
The Broome Gallery features the colourful work of local artist, James Down.
Black Stump Gallery, owned by Simon and Emma Blyth, exhibits various forms of artworks and Australian inspired and made gifts.
Yane, born and lived all his life in Broome, has won numerous awards for his incredible photography, including Australian Landscape Photographer of the Year. You can purchase his work online, which is available as canvas wall art, modern acrylic face-mounts, or smaller acrylic blocks.
35. Beer Tasting at Matso’s
One of our favourite parts of travelling is trying out new foods and drinks. Broome was no exception. Although Matso’s ginger beer and mango beer are readily available in Perth, some of their more unique ones aren’t. So we decided to pop into their brewery to sample their beers.
The tasting paddle comes with five beers, which you can choose. I decided on Mango Beer, Ginger Beer, Pearler’s Pale Ale, Chango (a mix between chilli and mango beer) and Angry Ranga (chilli ginger beer). My favourite was the Chango.
The history of this iconic Broome brewery and the Matso’s store building is quite fascinating and can be read on Matso’s Brewery site.
36. 4WD along Cable Beach
If you are in Broome with your own 4wd, join in with the locals and drive along Cable Beach. As you enter the beach, turn right past the rocks. Be aware of the tides, as people have lost their vehicles when the tide comes in!
During October and February, turtles nest on Cable Beach, which may mean restrictions are put on beach driving during that time.
Please be warned that this area is a nudist beach, so you may see more than you bargained for!
37. Staircase to the Moon
The staircase to the moon in Broome is caused by the rising of a full moon reflecting off the exposed tidal flats in Roebuck Bay. It can only be seen at extremely low tide and creates the stunning optical illusion of a stairway to the moon. This amazing sight occurs from March through to November, and you can find out what dates on Broome’s Visitor Centre website.
38. See the Boab Trees
The boab tree is an icon of the Kimberley region, and you shouldn’t leave Broome without seeing one. They can be found in the Broome town centre.
39. Blue Body Buddha Sanctuary
The Blue Body Buddha Sanctuary is a communal open space with a 3 metre tall crystal Buddha statue. You can visit to participate in one of the classes or for some tranquillity.
40. Reddell Beach
Reddell (or Riddell Beach as it’s sometimes spelt) is a local’s favourite, with its red pindan contrasting against the white sand. It is only accessible by the unsealed Kavite Road, which runs from the port to Gantheaume Point Lighthouse.
41. Broome Port Jetty
There is a walkway that runs about halfway alongside the jetty where some people fish off.
42. Broome Races
Broome races is a popular event with visitors travelling within Australia and internationally for it. The balmy tropical evenings provide ideal weather to party on into the night with games of two-up and live entertainment.
43. Coconut Well
If you have a 4wd, check out this local’s secret, about half an hour north of Broome. To get there, take Broome Road, turn off onto Cape Leveque Road, then the first left (McGuigan Road) which becomes Lawrence Road, then turn left onto Denham Road.
The area just south of this tidal lagoon pool is Goolarabooloo Millibinyarri, a small beachside community.
You’ll need to check the tides before you go as the tide needs to be over 9m for the lagoon to fill up with water.
At low tide, you’ll see a rocky landscape with lots of small rock pools. The rocks can be sharp, so wear reef shoes, and look for marine life in the pools. Some pools are just large enough to create a private spa.
During spring tides, people take floaties and drift along with the tide, which fills to create a turquoise lagoon at high tide.
Further Questions relating to Broome Australia
I hope you found this post on Broome helpful. If you have any questions, please join our Facebook Group where you can ask our community.
If you’ve been to Broome, we’d love to hear all about and see a photo of two.
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