Broome Travelers Recommend

The isolation of Western Australia—synonymous with tropical beaches and the rugged outdoors—has served Broome well, helping to preserve the town’s frontier feel despite a well-developed tourist industry. Gourmet restaurants and luxe resorts may have arrived, but you’ll still find outback appeal. Here’s how to spend three days in Broome.

Day 1: Beautiful Broome

Start the day on a guided tour of Broome’s top landmarks, checking out restored pearling luggers in Chinatown and passing by old pearling masters’ homes. Browse the Historical Museum to understand how the pearl industry has evolved since the late 1800s, when Japanese, Aboriginal, and Malay pearl divers risked their lives in pursuit of the valuable treasure. For a deeper look, visit a nearby pearl farm. 

In the afternoon, see dinosaur footprints at Gantheaume Point before heading to Cable Beach. With its white sands and turquoise waters, the beach is perfect for swimming, sunbathing—and sunset camel rides. Finally, unwind with a movie under the stars at the Sun Pictures outdoor theater.

Day 2: Gorgeous gorges

The Kimberley region is renowned for its gorges, and Broome is the ideal base from which to explore them. Accessible only during the dry season, prehistoric Geikie Gorge is one of the area’s beloved icons. Whether you’re exchanging toothy grins with freshwater crocodiles from the safety of your boat, marveling at the variety of birdlife, or learning about the local Aboriginal culture on a river cruise, you’ll never forget this natural wonder. Alternatively, take a tour to Windjana Gorge, with the prospect of wading Tunnel Creek.

If you’re there between June and September, hop aboard a catamaran at sunset and look for humpback whales at the end of their journey from Antarctica.

Day 3: Something wild

Like your wilderness remote? About 135 miles (220 kilometers) northeast of Broome lies the unspoiled coastline of Cape Leveque. Traverse the landscape on a 4WD tour and admire the white-sand beaches, red cliffs, and turquoise Indian Ocean—splashing around in the pristine waters, you’ll feel like you’re on a desert island. Nearby Lombadina Aboriginal community makes for a worthy detour, with mud-crabbing tours available. Buccaneer Archipelago (aka the Thousand Islands) is best appreciated from the air—embark on a scenic flight for a panorama of beaches, cliffs, and a horizontal waterfall. 

Back in town, cap off your trip with dinner at one of Broome’s many international restaurants.

With two days in Broome, you’ll be able to fully explore the sights of this historic Western Australian town, get out into the surrounding nature, and maybe even go whale watching. From learning about the pearl industry to riding a camel at sunset, here’s how to make the most of your time.

Day 1: See the Town

**Morning:**Get your bearings and see Broome’s top attractions on a morning sightseeing tour. Explore historical landmarks and natural wonders, including Town Beach, the Japanese Cemetery, Gantheaume Point, and Cable Beach. Alternatively, wander at your own pace on a self-guided audio tour.

**Afternoon:**Get a whole new perspective on the town by embarking on a scenic airplane or helicopter flight. You’ll get an excellent view of the coastline, comprising Cable Beach, Willie Creek Pearl Farm, Gantheaume Point, and the rugged red Pindan Cliffs.

**Night:**If you’re visiting between June and September, you have the chance to see humpback whales. A sunset cruise aboard a catamaran lets you get up-close, uninterrupted views of the magnificent mammals. Afterward, check out the sophisticated dining scene—downtown is home to a variety of restaurants, from Japanese to Indian and Italian.

Day 2: Have an Adventure

**Morning:**Kick off your second day with some thrills. Ride a jet seaplane to Talbot Bay. Then, take an exhilarating speedboat trip through the Horizontal Falls—the area’s famed narrow, cliff-wrapped cataracts—before cruising through the surrounding bays and creeks. These tours typically include an onboard breakfast or lunch.

**Afternoon:**Discover Broome’s pearl industry with a trip to Willie Creek Pearl Farm or Paspaley Pearl Farm. Visitors typically participate in a pearling master class, take a boat cruise, and learn how to identify and care for different types of pearls.

**Night:**Cap off two perfect days in Broome with a relaxing sunset camel ride over the flat white sands of Cable Beach. Some sightseeing tours of Broome offer sunset camel rides as an optional add-on, but you can also book a stand-alone tour.

Surrounded by the shimmering Indian Ocean and the creeks, mangroves, and mudflats of Roebuck Bay, the charming, laid-back town of Broome marks the westernmost point of the rugged, remote Kimberley region. From historic sites to camel rides, it’s possible to see the best of Broome in 24 hours. Here’s how.

Morning: See the Sights

Kick off your day in Broome with a morning orientation tour to get your bearings and see the top attractions. Explore historical landmarks and natural wonders, including Town Beach, the Japanese Cemetery, Gantheaume Point, and Cable Beach. Tours typically include morning tea and round-trip transfers from your hotel. 

For a different perspective on the town and its coastline, hop on an airplane or helicopter—scenic flights of various lengths depart throughout the day. If you prefer to explore at your own pace, head out on a self-guided audio tour.

Afternoon: Dive Into the Pearl Industry

Broome began life as a pearling town and was shaped by the lucrative but dangerous industry of pearl diving. Discover the history and legacy of the pearl industry on a half-day tour of Willie Creek Pearl Farm or Paspaley Pearl Farm, and see firsthand how pearls are produced. Visitors typically participate in a pearling master class, take a boat cruise, and learn how to identify and care for different types of pearls. Tours usually include refreshments and round-trip hotel transfers, and some also include lunch.

Night: Go Whale Watching or Camel Riding

If you’re visiting between June and September (Australia’s winter), you have the chance to see humpback whales as they journey from the cold waters of Antarctica to Broome, where they spend the season mating, calving, and nursing their young. A sunset cruise aboard a catamaran lets you get up-close, uninterrupted views of the magnificent mammals. Alternatively, enjoy a sunset camel ride along Cable Beach’s long, flat stretch of white sand. Some sightseeing tours of Broome offer sunset camel rides as an optional add-on, but you can also book a stand-alone tour.