Choose from 23 Fun Things to Do in Broome
ShowingFilter 1-20 of 23 listings.
Horizontal Falls
Imagine the wind blowing through your hair as you ride on the front of a jetboat, surrounded by rugged, red rock walls that rise from the cobalt waters. All of a sudden, at a break in the rocks, a column of whitewater rages through an opening that’s little wider than your boat, and the once placid ocean has suddenly turned to a white, thunderous waterfall. That’s the scene that visitors might encounter when boating at Horizontal Falls—a natural wonder that’s caused by the shifting of ocean tides through the rocks. Because the tides here are so massive—upwards of 15 feet—the volume of water is simply too much to squeeze through the 12 foot wide opening, and as water stacks up along the walls, awaiting a path through the rocks, a waterfall upwards of 10 feet in height appears right out of the sea. If you don’t want to splash and bounce through the falls, seeing the Horizontal Waterfalls by air is another popular option, where sightseeing flights cruise high above the torrid, tumbling waters, and visitors are treated with birds eye views of nature in all her glory.
Practical Info
There is a minimum age of 4 years old for jet boat rides through the falls, and it isn’t advisable if you are pregnant or have back problems. There is a maximum weight of 270 lbs for all tours that involve a seaplane ride, and since tours are seasonal, be sure to inquire ahead of time for availability of trips.
Did You Know? At the greatest tides, the waterfalls here at Horizontal Falls can reach upwards of 15 feet.
Address: Talbot Bay, Western Australia 6733, Australia
From $ 624
Broome Chinatown
A colorful history accompanies Broome's Chinatown. During the heyday of Broome's pearling industry, the pearlers (many from China, Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia and Europe) would arrive back on shore cashed up and head to the opium dens and billiard halls of Chinatown.
Things have changed. You won’t find opium dens; however, you will still find corrugated sheds alongside some fascinating Chinese architecture and delicious food. The area is filled with pearl shops selling pearls and mother-of-pearl products many of which come from local waters.
Stroll around, soak up the atmosphere and learn about Broome's exciting history from the great storyboards on the shops along Johnny Chi Lane.
Things have changed. You won’t find opium dens; however, you will still find corrugated sheds alongside some fascinating Chinese architecture and delicious food. The area is filled with pearl shops selling pearls and mother-of-pearl products many of which come from local waters.
Stroll around, soak up the atmosphere and learn about Broome's exciting history from the great storyboards on the shops along Johnny Chi Lane.
Practical Info
Chinatown is still the commercial center of Broome so it is a major stop for the Broome Bus, which has comprehensive coverage of Broome. It is also walking distance from the airport.
Address: Johnny Chi Lane, Broome, Australia
Admission: Free
From $ 73
Broome Courthouse Markets
The Broome Courthouse Markets offer an exciting array of local arts and crafts. There are clothes by local designers and many jewelry stores selling unique wares fashioned from local metal and local stones.
The food stalls are great and offer treats from freshly brewed coffee to Thai fish cakes, to frozen mangoes which are a perfect morning tea in the tropics.
Local animal preservation groups also have stalls here so you might have a chance to cuddle a baby koala or nurse a joey (a baby kangaroo).
The market is held in the grounds of the old courthouse which was built to house staff who worked for the telecommunications companies that owned the cable connecting Australia to Indonesia, which came ashore at Cable Beach and ran across town to the Courthouse.
Practical Info
The market is Saturday and Sunday (although it's bigger on Saturdays) in the dry season, April through November, and just on Saturdays during the wet season, December through March.
The Broome Bus will drop you off at the Broome Motel on Frederick Street across from the markets, or it's a 3 minute walk from Chinatown.
The Broome Bus will drop you off at the Broome Motel on Frederick Street across from the markets, or it's a 3 minute walk from Chinatown.
Address: Corner Hamersley and Weld Streets, Broome, Australia
Hours: 8am - 1pm
Admission: Free
From $ 73
Geikie Gorge
Geikie Gorge National Park is one of the most accessible parks in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Named by colonial settlers for Sir Archibald Geikie in 1883 and known as "Darngku" to the local Aboriginal Bunaba people. The gorge has been carved out by the Fitzroy River, which flows between the massive ancient limestone walls, over 98 feet (30 meters) of which have been exposed by the river.
One of the most stunning sights in Geikie Gorge is the coloring of said cliffs. During dry season when the water level is low, the lower half of the walls is visible and bleached white due to the opposite season's floods. As the rain comes in, the Fitzroy River rises up to 52 feet (16 meters) up the gorge walls, cleaning them in a continuous cycle.
Visitors to Geikie Gorge can get out on the water on a boat tour or even a Darngku heritage cruise, guided by the traditional landowners of the park. Hiking is another popular activity, with the popular Reef Walk track taking about 1.5 hours to complete. River Walk is shorter, taking only about 20 minutes, and leads to the banks of the Fitzroy.
Practical Info
Geikie Gorge sits about 260 miles (415 km) east of Broome via road. The park entrance sits 12 miles (20 km) from Fitzroy Crossing and is connected by a bitumen road. Visitors are only allowed to enter during the day, and camping is not allowed.
Address: King Leopold Ranges, Western Australia 6728, Australia
Hours: Daylight hours; no camping allowed
From $ 1,257
Beagle Bay
A rare and intriguing insight into the remote Aboriginal communities of the north, Beagle Bay was a Catholic mission started by French monks in the late 1800s.
The mission was used as a home for Aboriginal kids separated from their families and is now run by those kids. It offers an insight into a troubled time in Australia's past but also a chance to learn about the Nyul Nyul people who have inhabited this beautiful and unforgiving landscape for thousands of years.
The mission was used as a home for Aboriginal kids separated from their families and is now run by those kids. It offers an insight into a troubled time in Australia's past but also a chance to learn about the Nyul Nyul people who have inhabited this beautiful and unforgiving landscape for thousands of years.
One of the highlights is the Sacred Heart Church which was built by hand by the monks and Aboriginal people and has an altar made out of local mother of pearl.
Practical Info
Beagle Bay community is situated on the Dampier Peninsula north of Broome and is a two- to three-hour drive from Broome best undertaken in a 4x4 or as part of an organized tour. In the wet season (November to March) the roads are closed and access is not possible.
Address: Beagle Bay Road, Australia
Hours: Closed Nov - Mar
From $ 207
Dampier Peninsula
Located to the north of Broome, the Dampier Peninsula is a huge, largely uninhabited stretch of land running from the northern edge of Coulomb Point Nature Reserve to Cape Leveque.
The Dampier Peninsula is one of the last true wildernesses in Australia. Residents in the area include tiny communities, pearling camps, the occasional tourist resort and the communities of the Bardi, Njulnjul and Djaberadjabera people – the traditional owners of the peninsula and the region surrounding it.
Dampier Peninsula is known by the Aboriginal people as Ardi, which means "heading north." The landscapes of the Dampier Peninsula are stunning. Turquoise blue waters shelter coral reefs and abundant tropical fish life, turtles and dugongs, whilst deeper waters are home to dolphins and, seasonally, migrating whales. Inland, the rich red earth dominates the landscape.
One of the best ways to explore the Dampier Peninsula is with the local Aboriginal people. Sample bush foods, learn to make spears, catch mud crabs, and be introduced to a way of life that existed for thousands of years before European settlement.
Practical Info
The Dampier Peninsula is only accessible by an unsealed road – for that reason, it is highly recommended that visitors only attempt the trip in a 4WD or as part of a tour. Flooding occasionally closes the road during the summer wet season. Dogs are not allowed on the peninsula. Camping and cabin style accommodation is available.
Address: Dampier Peninsula, WA, Australia 6725, Australia
From $ 199
Fitzroy River
The Fitzroy River runs for 733 km through the Kimberly region of Western Australia and is of large importance to the local Aboriginal people. Known to the traditional inhabitants as Mardoowarra, the river and its floodplains have spiritual, cultural and medicinal significance to the Nyikina, Walmadjari and Konejandi peoples, as well as ecological significance.
Many of the Kimberly’s tourist attractions lie on the Fitzroy River. Geikie, Diamond and Sir John Gorges, and the Fitzroy Crossing are the most famous. The Fitzroy River is home to many native species including acacia trees, bream and fresh and saltwater crocodiles, as well as being one of the last places the endangered freshwater sawfish is found.
The Fitzroy River is a popular fishing and camping spot near both Broome and Derby. Fitzroy Crossing is the gateway to attractions such as Tunnel Creek and Windjana Gorge National Parks, and as such is a place many visitors to the Kimberly pass through, and Geikie Gorge National Park is one of the most visited attractions in the area. The Fitzroy River meets the ocean in King Sound, which lies midway between Broome and Derby.
Practical Info
The Fitzroy River is located in the West Kimberly, and accessible from Fitzroy Crossing, Broome and Derby. It flows through Geikie Gorge and can also be seen at Willare crossing and the permanent Margaret River pool.
Address: Willare, WA, Australia, Australia
From $ 199
Bungle Bungles
Purnululu National Park, or the Bungle Bungles, is one the world’s most beautiful areas to be discovered as recently as it has. Not thirty years since its discovery, this majestic 239,723 hectare range located in Kimberley, Australia, features utterly unique and beautiful layered sandstone domes closely resembling beehives.
Once inhabited by aborigines, in this amazing park you will discover gorges, wallabies, and fan palm trees. In the plains surrounding the sandstone domes you can catch exotic plant-life, such as beautiful bright yellow acacia flowers and grevilleas.
The only way to discover the Bungle Bungles is on foot, but with temperatures averaging more than 30 Celsius (86 F), so make sure you come prepared. Luckily, on your journey you will discover fresh-water rock pools, so refilling bottles and going for a dip is only part of the fun.
Once inhabited by aborigines, in this amazing park you will discover gorges, wallabies, and fan palm trees. In the plains surrounding the sandstone domes you can catch exotic plant-life, such as beautiful bright yellow acacia flowers and grevilleas.
The only way to discover the Bungle Bungles is on foot, but with temperatures averaging more than 30 Celsius (86 F), so make sure you come prepared. Luckily, on your journey you will discover fresh-water rock pools, so refilling bottles and going for a dip is only part of the fun.
Practical Info
The most typical way to access the park is by 4-wheelers, which follows
the Spring Creek Track from the Great Northern Highway. If you decide to
make the trip from Kununurra the route is approximately 155 miles long,
quite a hike, however if splurging is an option you possess, you can
catch a helicopter out of Turkey Creek Roadhouse.
Address: Western Australia, Australia
Admission: Camping - Adults: AU$11, Children: AU$2
From $ 296
Cape Leveque
One of Australia's most stunning stretches of coastline, Cape Leveque is filled with saturated hues: brick-red cliffs, pearl-white sand and clear, blue water.
It’s fantastically remote but there is an excellent eco-resort run by the traditional Aboriginal owners of the land and miles of that glorious beach.
There are lots of activities available once you get to the cape. Glass-bottomed boats will give you a look at the beautiful corals and fish that live in the waters around the cape and the fishing is excellent especially for mackerel, tuna and sailfish.
There are also cultural tours you can undertake with the traditional Aboriginal owners of the land which will teach you about their way of life on the cape.
Practical Info
It’s a good 3.5 hour drive from Broome over corrugated dirt roads, a trip for 4-wheel drive vehicles only. If you’re not experienced with a 4WD then there are companies that run up to Cape Leveque; most of the day-trips are by plane.
Address: Broome-Cape Leveque Road, Australia
Admission: Free
From $ 199
Lillimooloora Station Ruins
Located within Windjana Gorge National Park, the Lillimooloora ruins are all that are left of the Lillimooloora Homestead and Police Station.
Built in 1884, the sandstone ruins are all that remains of the Lillimooloora Homestead. Lillimooloora became famous in the 1890s as a battle erupted in the Kimberly over the rights to the Bunuba lands. As white settlers took over land for farming purposes, the local Aboriginal people were forced into labour as their hunting grounds and sacred sites were destroyed.
In 1894, an Aboriginal tracked named Jandamarra "Pigeon" shot and killed a white policeman, stole arms, and freed 17 Aboriginal prisoners, becoming an outlaw who fought against the European settlers for three years before he was killed at Tunnel Creek.
Today, the police station remains only as four ruined sandstone walls and a floor of uneven flagstones. Sitting on a plain with cliffs rising behind them, the ruins seem out of place in the wild surroundings, giving visitors a sense of the struggle felt by settlers as they tried to conquer the land, and the local Aboriginal people as they tried to save it.
Practical Info
The Lillimooloora Police Station Ruins are located on the way to Windjana Gorge along Fairleield-Leopold Downs Road. The ruins are accessible via 2WD, however, it is recommended that only 4WD vehicles enter the Windjana Gorge National Park.
Address: Fairleield-Leopold Downs Road, King Leopold Ranges, WA, Australia 6728, Australia
Hours: Park Closed During Wet Season
From $ 199
Boab Prison Tree
Just south of Derby in the Kimberly region is a large, hollow boab tree known as the Boab Prison Tree. A popular tourist attraction, the tree is believed to have been used as a prison for indigenous Australian prisoners in the late 1800s, though some contest this.
Regardless of whether it was used as a prison or not, the boab is impressive. Believed to be about 1,500 years old, the tree has a huge diameter of 48 feet (14.7 meters) and has been declared a registered Aboriginal site. Local legend has it that early police patrols used the tree as an overnight lockup as a natural cell. The hole cut into the side of the tree is manmade, supporting the idea that it was used as such.
The interpretative centre nearby to the tree gives a history of interactions between early white pastoralists and the Aboriginal people, giving insights into local tensions and times the tree was used. The centre details the events of the droving days and World War II upon the town of Derby, as well as explaining the biology of this ancient tree. A short trail at the prison tree leads to a picnic area and a view of the longest cattle trough in the southern hemisphere: Myall’s Bore.
Practical Info
The Boab Prison Tree sits 4.3 miles (7 km) south of Derby, on the King River Road, and is protected by a fence. Visitors are requested to remain away from the tree in respect to the cultural significance of the tree and to protect it.
Address: Derby, WA, Australia, Australia
From $ 199
Japanese Cemetery
The largest cemetery in Australia, Broome’s Japanese Cemetery was established at the beginning of Broome’s pearling industry.
In the early days of the pearling industry at Broome, many Japanese men worked as divers. Most of the headstones in the cemetery pay tribute to the hundreds of individual divers who died whilst pearling – either from drowning or from the bends (decompression sickness). There are also monuments to catastrophic events, such as a large stone obelisk for those who drowned at sea during a cyclone in 1908. Such cyclones were relatively common in the area, and cyclones in 1887 and 1935 claimed the lives of around 250 Japanese divers between them.
There are 919 Japanese are buried in the cemetery. Many of the headstones are simply marked by colored rocks carried from Broome’s beaches. Before the Japanese became divers, the industry survived by kidnapping local Aboriginal people and training them to dive for pearls. Only 50 metres south of the main Japanese Cemetery lies the Aboriginal section of the cemetery. Unlike the Japanese section, the Aboriginal graves are largely unmarked and unattributed.
Practical Info
The Japanese Cemetery can be found on Port Drive, on the way from the Broome town center to Cable Beach. There are no opening hours or entry charges, though the cemetery has been recently restored to commemorate the lives that were lost.
Address: Broom, WA, Australia 6725, Australia
Hours: Daily 24/7
From $ 66
Bell Gorge
Usually places in the middle of the desert are quiet, dry, and remote. In the case of Australia’s Bell Gorge, however, crowds of people flock to the Kimberley to witness a gorgeous, multi-tiered waterfall go splashing down into a pool. Perfectly placed amidst amber-hued sandstone, the Bell Gorge waterfall is fed by rains that fall in the Kimberley’s wet season, and offers a picturesque place to cool off and go for for a swim when it’s dry.
Take a moment to sprawl on the rocks surrounding the crystal cascade, and close your eyes as you soak up the sun and enjoy the rush of the falls. When you’ve worked up a sweat from sun tanning or hiking, a large, refreshing pool of fresh water sits right at the base of the falls—which when viewed against the rugged, dry landscape are an unforgettable sight. It’s little wonder why Bell Gorge is immensely popular with photographers, who camp at nearby Silent Grove Campground, sleeping out under the stars, before waking up early to hike through the gorge and enjoy the spectacular show.
Insider's Tip: If the crowds at Bell Gorge are simply too intense, follow the river away from the waterfall and you’ll have the gorge to yourself.
Practical Info
The turnoff for Bell Gorge is along the Gibb River Road, and then 18 miles down Silent Grove Road. The area can become very crowded with visitors, so early morning and late in the day are best for avoiding the crowds.
Multi-day tours of the Kimberley region make it easy to visit the Bell Gorge area, which requires 4WD. The best season for visiting is from May-September, and the Gorge is a 3-hour drive from Darby. When hiking to the falls, be sure to bring hiking shoes and plenty of water.
Address: King Leopold Ranges, Western Australia 6728, Australia
From $ 875
Riddell Beach
Riddell Beach is one of Perth’s more beautiful beaches, characterized by soaring cliffs and rocky outcrops. It was named for an unfortunate captain who was murdered when his crew mutinied near the beach. Today, the beach is much more peaceful than its namesake. A long stretch of golden sand, Riddell Beach is a great place to get away from the town without having to actually travel too far.
The area is dotted with rusty orange rocks that contrast with the perfectly turquoise water of the Indian Ocean. Riddell Beach is an unpatrolled beach, but its relatively calm waters do make for great swimming provided swimmers have safety in mind. The beach itself is up to 300 meters wide at low tide, and covered in sandstone rocks.
Riddell Beach is incredibly popular with photographers and walkers. It’s also great for searching the rock pools that form when the tide goes out. Riddell Beach is a more interesting, and much less crowded version of Cable Beach.
Practical Info
Riddell Beach is a 15-minute drive south of the Broome town center. Facing southwest, the beach is perfect for catching the sun set over the water. The beach is unpatrolled, and swimmers do so at their own risk. There are no facilities at the beach, and no formal access between the road and the beach.
Address: Broome, WA, Australia, Australia
From $ 73
Dinosaur Footprints
A 50 mi (80 km) dinosaur trackway runs through the Kimberley. At low tide, Guantheaume Point is one of the best vantage points to see the tracks of at least nine different types of dinosaur. The dinosaurs are thought to be from the early Cretaceous period which makes them around 130 million years old.
There are herbivores like the Apatosaurus and carnivores including a tyrannosaur. The fossilized footprints range from a few inches to nearly 3 ft (1 m).
The footprints can only be viewed at very low tide, however, there are copies up at the top of the cliffs for visitors to view; this helps lessen the human impact on the fragile reef.
Practical Info
Only the first bus of the day visits Gantheaume Point and there is no bus to take you back. While this makes it perfect for a morning walk along Cable Beach back to town (3 mi/5 km) it does mean a taxi is the best way to get there and at other times.
Address: Guantheaume Point Road, Broome, Australia
Hours: Open daily
Admission: Free
From $ 73
Broome Town Beach
Town Beach is one of many sandy spots in Broome, and its main attraction is its water playground that dominates the foreshore. Built for kids of all ages, the playground is designed to be all-inclusive, enabling children of all abilities to play. A range of sprayers including a whale tail sprayer, mistry twisty, sneaky soakers and froggy-o-sprayer are set up to provide a fun play environment. The playground operates on a cycle that randomly repeats and is activated when a start button is pressed.
Safety is paramount here. Soft-fall ground covering ensures a non-slip environment, and the water is UV filtered and chlorinated. A designated area for disabled children includes a self-propelling, custom built, water submersible wheelchair that is available for free hire.
While the playground is a huge part of the attractions of Town Beach, the beach itself is also popular. Besides the bay being a calm swimming spot, the grassy foreshore also offers a great place for picnics. Just beside the playground sits the Town Beach Café, serving coffee, pastries and more.
Practical Info
Town Beach Playground is open from 9-5, except on Tuesdays. Public toilets are available near the playground. The playground is located on Robinson Street.
Address: Robinson Street, Broome, WA, Australia 6725, Australia
From $ 67
Sun Pictures Cinema
Sun Pictures Cinema—also known as the Sun Picture Garden – is the oldest picture garden still in operation in the world.
Sun Pictures Cinema began between 1903 and 1913, when the Yamsaki family operated a theatre in their Asian goods store. The building was sold in 1913 and the new owner then converted the building into a cinema. Sun Pictures itself opened on December 9, 1916, playing silent films. In 1933, the cinema began to play films with sound. During World War II, when the town was evacuated, the cinema was vandalised, and due to a series of floods – and a boycott over segregation – didn’t truly recover until 1974. In 1989, the cinema became protected, and in 2004 was certified in the Guinness World Book of Records as the oldest open air cinema in operation.
Sun Pictures Cinema is now accompanied by Sun Cinemas – an indoor cinema opened in 2002. Seating in the cinema remains true to the original layout. Six padded bench seats line the front rows, in front of deckchair style seating that takes up the rest of the cinema.
Practical Info
Sun Pictures Cinema is located on Carnarvon Street in Broome’s Chinatown. Open from 6pm to 11pm, the cinema shows a mix of old, new and local films. Tickets vary from $17for adults, and $12 for seniors and children 3-15 years old. A $1.50 surcharge is placed on 3D movies.
Address: 27 Carnarvon St, Broome, WA, Australia 6725, Australia
Hours: Daily 6pm-11pm
Admission: Film Price: Adult $17, Children & Seniors $12
From $ 66
Gantheaume Point
The glorious red cliffs at Gantheaume Point contrast starkly with the bright blue water to create a spectacular scene, especially at sunset as the rock glows red.
To its the north is Cable Beach, and to its south is a small fishing beach that in summer is covered in sand balls rolled by millions of tiny sand crabs.
Beneath the lighthouse is Anastasia’s pool. It was carved out of the rock by the lighthouse keeper so his arthritic wife could comfortably bathe in the waters each day.
It would seem that not only humans appreciate the beauty of Gantheaume Point as it was also popular with dinosaurs who created a trackway at the point which can still be seen today. At very low tides it is possible to see the tracks of nine different types of dinosaur, both herbivores and carnivores.
Practical Info
Only the first bus of the day visits Gantheaume Point (at approximately 7:55am) and there is no bus service back to town. While this makes it perfect for a morning stroll back to town along Cable Beach about 3 mi (5 km) back, it makes taxis necessary unless you have a car.
Address: Guantheaume Point Road, Broome, Australia
Admission: Free
From $ 66
Cable Beach
A brilliant 14 mi (22 km) of unspoiled white sand and turquoise waters, Cable Beach is a sun-lover's paradise.
Even during the busiest time of year (‘the dry’ – May through to November) it is guaranteed that you will find a secluded spot to lay your towel.
The beach is almost perfectly flat and the water gently laps the shore, making it a perfect place for swimmers of any ability or those that want to walk along the beach soaking up the beauty. From shore you can see the occasional pearling boat still at work in the industry that supported Broome before tourists discovered this unspoilt gem.
Cable Beach is also famous as having one of Australia's most well known nudist beaches. The beach is to the north of the car park just south of Willie Creek.
Practical Info
It is easy to reach Cable Beach by car, there is a good paved road right to the car park. The Broome Bus also has a stop at Cable Beach and no doubt there will be a stop nearby your hotel in this tiny town.
Address: Cable Beach Road West, Broome, Australia
Admission: Free
From $ 66
One Arm Point
One Arm Point is an Aboriginal community on the Dampier Peninsula, close to Cape Leveque. Like much of the surrounding area, it stands as a natural wilderness, virtually untouched by modern civilization.
The traditional Aboriginal community that calls One Arm Point home embraces tourism, and visitors to the point come to be immersed in the local culture as much as to marvel at the sweeping views of the Buccaneer Archipelago. The community on One Arm Point is the Bardi Aboriginal Community. Community members teach visitors traditional hunting and fishing techniques, demonstrate how to find and use bush foods and medicines, show how to catch mud crabs, and aims to share with visitors the relationship between the people and the land that exists in many Aboriginal communities. The Bardi also sell local art and jewelry, including jewelry hand carved from trochus shells.
Practical Info
One Arm Point is a three-hour drive north of Broome. The road is unsealed, and strictly 4WD only. It is recommended that visitors plan their trip during winter as the road is often closed in parts during the summer wet season. Accommodation is not available on One Arm Point, however there is accommodation at nearby Cape Leveque.
Address: One Arm Point Rd, Dampier Peninsula, WA, Australia 6725, Australia
From $ 199