A street in Broome

Broome WA 6725 (Pop 15 000)

Broome is a popular Kimberley pearling and tourist town located 2 175 km n-e of Perth in the state’s far North West. Named after WA Governor, Sir Frederick Napier Broome (1882), the discovery of pearling grounds in 1880s led to the establishment of the township populated by an amazing ethnic mix (Chinese, Japanese, Malays, Europeans and Aborigines). By 1910, Broome had become the world’s primary pearling centre with cultured pearls predominating from 1950s. Remnants of the town’s interesting past are everywhere which, apart from the beautiful beaches and excellent fishing, bring growing numbers of visitors to the area annually. Broome markets each Sat am. Dragon Boat Regatta (Easter), Opera Under the Stars (Aug), Shinju Matsuri (Festival of the Pearl) (Aug), National Indigenous Art Awards (Sept), Mango Festival (Nov).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Japanese Cemetery, Port Dr (1896) Australia’s largest Japanese cemetery has over 900 graves of early Japanese divers. Stairway to the Moon, Town Beach optical illusion resulting when an outgoing tide combines with a rising moon. (May-Oct). Chinatown interesting visit into the town’s colonial and Asian history. Historical Society Museum, Saville St heritage displays and collections of Broome’s pearling past. Hamersley St Buildings unique Broome architecture including the Courthouse and Capt Gregory’s House (1915).

Nearby:
The Pindan soils (7 km s-w) combining the district’s red Broome soils, white beach sands & blue seas for dramatic and amazing results. Cable Beach (7 km n-w) stunning 22 km white beach with translucent waters. Stingers Nov-Mar.  Also known as one of Australia’s most famous nudist beaches. Gantheaume Point (5 km n-e) dinosaur footprints 30 m out visible at very low tide are believed to be 130 million years old. The cliff top has a plaster cast of the imbedded prints. Dampier Peninsula (220 km n-e) 4WD only access to a spectacular coastline, Sacred Heart Church (Beagle Bay) (1917) built by monks with a pearl-shell altar and Lombadina Aboriginal community, formerly a mission. Roebuck Bay extensive feeding grounds for millions of migratory wading birds and home to Broome Bird Observatory (est 1990).

Accommodation:
Broome has 2 motels/hotels, 3 hotels, 3 resorts, 2 B&Bs, holiday apartments and half a dozen caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre: 1 Hamersely St. Tel (08) 9192 2222 or 1800 883 777.

Airport:
Broome International Airport (BME), Broome International Airport, Macpherson Rd. Tel (08) 9194 0600.

Hospital:
Broome Hospital, Robinson St. Tel (08) 9194 2222.