Broome

Relaxed Broome serves as the southern gateway to the Kimberley region. It is a nice little town with great hostels, a beautiful beach and an excellent outdoor cinema.

An old pearling port, Broome once supplied eighty per cent of the world’s mother-of-pearl shell. In the late 19th century, its fleet of pearling luggers topped 400.

Travellers who visit in Mar–Apr or Aug–Sep may be lucky enough to see a natural phenomenon called “The Staircase to the Moon”, an illusion caused by the full moon reflecting on mud flats at extreme low tide. It can be seen from the Roebuck Bay side of Broome during the king tides in those months. Other attractions include Cable Beach, 5km from the town centre.

The centre of Broome is known as Chinatown, even though there is nothing Chinese about it.

Local transport

Broome’s local bus service consists of an hourly bus between the town centre and Cable Beach. The town bus serves most of Broome’s hostels and major attractions. You’ll need to take a taxi if you miss the last bus, which leaves as early as 5.53pm. Fares are $4 one-way, $18.50 for a five-ride ticket and $34 for a 10-ride ticket. A day pass costs $10.