Broome is unlike anywhere else in Australia. A remote pearling town on the far northwest coast of Western Australia, it draws travellers with its red pindan cliffs, turquoise waters, ancient dinosaur footprints, and a rich multicultural history that feels worlds away from the rest of the country.
Getting to Broome takes effort - but that's part of the appeal. It rewards those who make the journey with experiences that simply can't be replicated elsewhere. Whether you're planning your first visit or returning for another dose of the Kimberley's magic, here are 10 experiences that absolutely belong on your Broome bucket list.
The 10 Experiences
Watch the Sunset at Cable Beach
No visit to Broome is complete without watching the sun melt into the Indian Ocean from Cable Beach. The 22-kilometre stretch of white sand and vivid turquoise water is stunning at any time of day, but the sunsets here are legendary. Arrive early to grab a good spot, and if the timing is right, you may witness the famous "Staircase to the Moon" - a stunning optical illusion created when a full moon rises over the exposed mudflats of Roebuck Bay. Join our Broome half-day tour to make the most of the town's most iconic moments.
Explore the Dampier Peninsula
Stretching north of Broome, the Dampier Peninsula is a dramatic landscape of red pindan cliffs, remote beaches and Aboriginal communities with deep cultural ties to Country. The drive along the Cape Leveque Road takes you through stunning scenery to one of WA's most beautiful coastal destinations. Our Dampier Peninsula and Aboriginal Communities Full Day Tour offers an immersive, guided way to experience this remarkable part of the Kimberley with local insight you won't get on your own.
Visit a Pearl Farm
Broome built its identity on pearling, and the tradition continues today through world-class South Sea pearl cultivation. A visit to a working pearl farm is one of the most unique and educational experiences the region offers. You'll learn how Pinctada maxima oysters are cultivated, seeded and harvested, and get a close look at some of the most lustrous pearls in the world. The experience connects you directly to Broome's most enduring industry.
Walk Chinatown and Broome's Historic Precinct
Broome's Chinatown district is the cultural and commercial heart of the town, and its layered history is unlike anything else in regional Australia. The pearling boom drew workers from Japan, China, Malaysia and the Philippines, creating a multicultural community whose influence shaped the town's architecture, cuisine and character. Stroll the heritage streetscapes, browse independent pearl jewellers, and soak in the town's distinctive atmosphere. A Broome half-day tour covers the historic highlights with expert commentary from a local guide.
Spot Dinosaur Footprints at Gantheaume Point
At low tide, the rocky platform at Gantheaume Point reveals one of the most extraordinary secrets in Australia - 130-million-year-old dinosaur footprints embedded in the sandstone. The tracks, believed to belong to several different species, are among the oldest and best preserved in the country. Timing your visit around a low tide is essential, so check local tide charts before heading out. The vivid red cliffs and rock pools at Gantheaume are worth the visit even when the tracks are submerged.
Catch a Film at Sun Pictures
Sun Pictures in Broome holds the title of the world's oldest operating outdoor picture garden, having screened films continuously since 1916. Watching a movie under the stars in a deckchair, surrounded by palm trees with the warm Broome night air, is one of those experiences that's hard to describe but impossible to forget. The cinema screens current releases alongside classic films, and the heritage-listed venue itself is worth the price of admission.
Experience the Staircase to the Moon
Three to four times a year, when a full moon rises over the exposed tidal mudflats of Roebuck Bay, it creates a breathtaking optical illusion that locals and visitors call the Staircase to the Moon. The golden light reflecting off the rippled mudflats creates the appearance of a staircase ascending to the sky. The best viewing spots are Town Beach and the foreshore area. Markets are held on those evenings, making it a wonderful community event as much as a natural spectacle.
Take a Camel Ride Along the Beach
Camels were first brought to Australia's north in the 1800s to carry supplies across the remote outback, and Broome has kept that tradition alive in the most scenic way possible. A camel ride along Cable Beach at sunset is one of the most photographed experiences in the country - and for good reason. The combination of the vast beach, the vivid orange sky and the gentle rhythm of the ride creates a moment that stays with you long after you've left.
Visit the Japanese Cemetery
One of the most moving and historically significant sites in Broome, the Japanese Cemetery holds the graves of over 900 Japanese pearl divers who lost their lives working the dangerous waters of the Kimberley between the 1880s and 1940s. It's the largest Japanese cemetery outside Japan, and a quiet, respectful visit here adds important depth to your understanding of how Broome became the town it is today.
Get Out on the Water
The waters around Broome are extraordinary - warm, clear, and teeming with marine life. Whether you opt for a boat cruise across Roebuck Bay, a snorkelling trip to nearby reefs, or a fishing charter into the Kimberley's remote waters, getting out on the ocean gives you a completely different perspective on the region. Humpback whales pass through Broome waters between June and October, making wildlife sightings a real possibility during the dry season.
Best Time to Visit Broome
Broome has two distinct seasons, and timing your visit right makes a significant difference to the experience.
☀️ Dry Season (Apr – Oct)
The peak time to visit. Warm days, low humidity, clear skies and calm seas make this ideal for outdoor activities, beach time and touring the Dampier Peninsula.
🌧️ Wet Season (Nov – Mar)
Hot, humid and punctuated by dramatic tropical storms. Some roads and attractions close, but the lush landscape and empty beaches have their own appeal for adventurous travellers.
🐋 Whale Season (Jun – Oct)
Humpback whales migrate through Broome's waters during the dry season. Boat tours offer a genuine chance of sightings during this window.
🌕 Staircase to the Moon
Occurs three to four times a year between March and October, always on the nights around a full moon. Check the Broome Visitor Centre website for exact dates before booking.
Getting to Broome and Getting Around
Broome is serviced by direct flights from Perth, with the journey taking around 2.5 hours. Once you're there, having a guide makes an enormous difference - the distances between attractions are significant, and local knowledge about tides, times and cultural protocols is invaluable, particularly when visiting the Dampier Peninsula and Aboriginal communities.
Travelling from Perth? Explore our full range of Broome tours, including the popular Dampier Peninsula Full Day Tour and Broome Half-Day Tour. Our guides are based locally and bring genuine expertise to every itinerary.
If you're planning a broader Western Australia itinerary, Broome pairs beautifully with time in Perth, the South West or the Pilbara. Browse our full range of Western Australian tours to plan a trip that takes in the best of the state.
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