The Pearl of the West: Broome

Broome is a coastal resort town nestled at the foot of the Dampier Peninsula, where the desert meets the Indian Ocean, in an explosion of resplendent beauty. Whether you’re cruising up the gorgeous coastline, shopping for Broome’s revered pearls, or riding a camel on the beach at sunset, you’ll find plenty of charm in and around this remote, tropical paradise.

Hire a car and hit the road

Begin your trip to Broome by picking up your rental car. After, head out for breakfast at the Bay Club and enjoy beautiful views overlooking Roebuck Bay as you kick back with eggs and coffee.

After breakfast, head to the Broome Visitors Centre, or take a scenic stroll to the Broome Historical Museum to explore Broome’s fascinating past as the world’s largest pearling centre. You may be inspired to visit a pearl farm, or enjoy some boutique pearl shopping at Dampier Terrace.

Kick back on the white sand of Cable Beach

Cable Beach’s white sands, ochre cliffs and crystal-clear waters are only a few minutes away in a rental car, and are perfect for relaxing in the sun. You can also ride a beachside camel at sunrise or sunset here, which is an iconic Broome experience.

The adjacent Minyirr Park offers an introduction to the culture of the local Yawuru people, as well as three easy walking trails over magnificent wilderness. At the southern end of Cable Beach, Gantheaume Point is a treat for budding palaeontologists. At least nine species of dinosaur footprints have been identified, dating back 130 million years.

Fall in love with local cuisine

Given Broome’s tropical climate, a lot of dining often happens alfresco, under wide verandahs, on open decks, and on streets lined with tropical palms. It’s the perfect place to enjoy the slower pace of life and kick back with a cold one. And there’s no better place to do that than at Matso’s Broome Brewery. Here you can enjoy a whole range of fresh, tasty beers, alongside superb food. Try the barramundi with one the brewery’s special mango beers.

Go adventuring

Jump in your rental car and drive through the Dampier Peninsula to Cape Leveque, an extraordinary experience, well worth the adventure. Following Cape Leveque Road northwards, you’ll find bushwalking tours and bush tucker at the indigenous communities, as well as secluded beaches, breathtaking landscapes and the famous Mother of Pearl Shell altar at Beagle Bay Church.

The Cape is at the northern tip of the Peninsula, where you’ll find the award-winning Kooljaman luxury wilderness camp. The indigenous owner-operators of the camp love sharing their passion for the Cape with visitors. This is a must-do when in the area.

Experience the Staircase to the Moon

From March to October, the light of each full moon makes the mudflats at Roebuck Bay come to life, like a set of glistening stairs, rising into the night sky. This natural phenomenon is known as the Staircase to the Moon.

There are several places around town where you can view it – but for a truly special experience, head for the Mangrove Hotel. Here you can enjoy the theatrics of nature alongside the magical, earthy vibrations of a didgeridoo accompanying the moon on its journey upwards.

When to visit Broome

Broome’s “dry season” (tourist season) is roughly April to October, and the mild climate in the colder months makes it a perfect winter getaway. April marks the end of the monsoonal “wet season”, and the lush native greenery of the outback makes it an ideal time to visit.

Broome and the surrounding region has so much to offer travellers. For the best way to see it all, jump in a rental car and hit the road.

Wherever you choose to explore, you’ll get there in a hire car from Hertz.

A Quick Guide to Broome

Welcome to Broome, the coastal jewel in the crown of Western Australia. Nestled at the foot of the Dampier Peninsula, Broome is a resort town where the colours of the Indian Ocean clash with the red hues of the desert inland. It’s a place of splendid sunsets, revered pearls, and a remote tropical paradise that has stolen many a heart and soul.

For an insight into the storied past of the area, head to the Broome Visitors Centre where you can get to grips with local history and folklore and learn about Broome’s history as the world’s largest pearling centre. If you want to delve deeper into the pearl industry, you can visit a pearl farm, or enjoy some boutique pearl shopping at Dampier Terrace.

Cable Beach takes its name from the undersea telegraph cable that was laid in 1899 to link Australia to Java. It’s undoubtedly one of the most beautiful beaches in the area, with its turquoise waters, white sand and superb sunsets that never fail to stun.

In the evening, indulge in an iconic Broome experience and ride on a camel’s back along the beach as the sun makes its way to sleep below the horizon.

It’s not all just beaches and paradise in Broome. The area is also known for its rich indigenous history. The adjacent Minyirr Park offers an introduction to the culture of the local Yawuru people, as well as three easy walking trails over magnificent wilderness.

At the southern end of Cable Beach, Gantheaume Point is a treat for anyone interested in dinosaurs, with at least nine species of dinosaur footprints to be seen, dating back 130 million years.

Just 25km from Broome lies Roebuck Bay and its tidal mudflats, a popular stopping place for migratory birds that come from as far away as Siberia. Here, you'll find walking trails well worth exploring, along with some accommodation options and campsites. There are a number of nature tours on offer here, perfect for birdwatching enthusiasts.

Broome’s exceptional tropical climate automatically translates to a slower pace of life. It makes the days seem longer and the evenings slower, which leads to some rather enjoyable alfresco dining. On verandas and streets lined with palm trees, you could easily while away a day or an evening, dining at your leisure.

After an afternoon exploring, head for Matso’s Broome Brewery. Here you can enjoy a whole range of fresh, tasty beers, alongside superb food. Nothing goes better than fresh barramundi with an ice cold sour beer.

If you’re lucky enough to be in Broome between March and October when a full moon happens, you’ll be treated to one of Western Australia’s greatest natural phenomena. ‘The Staircase to the Moon’, as it’s known, occurs when the light from a full moon hits the mudflats of Roebuck Bay and illuminates the sand, conjuring an optical illusion that looks as if a set of glistening stairs is climbing towards the moon. It’s a truly spectacular sight. There are several places around town where you can view it – but for a truly special experience, head for the Mangrove Hotel. Here you can enjoy the theatrics of nature alongside the magical, earthy vibrations of a didgeridoo accompanying the moon on its journey upwards.