There are plenty of things to do in Broome while you wait for your tour.
Broome is a stunning coastal town on the rugged shores of the Indian Ocean. Located on the northwest coast of the Australian continent, the rich red of the iron-infused sands creeps right up to the stunning turquoise of the lapping water. It’s truly something to behold.
This post is a part of my Outback Road trip series.
The town’s character is a unique mix of Aboriginal, Asian, and European cultures. Its complex history has plenty of dark twists and turns, as the pearling industry was the backbone of Broome’s economy in the early 1900s.
9 Things to Do in Broome, Western Australia between Tours
Good light in Broome and I’ll be there soon
I know exactly what I’m a gonna do
Sit on the beach and stare at the moon
Haven’t you heard? There’s good light in Broome
Neil Murray
While Broome is fighting hard to be a tourist destination in its own right, most folks will find themselves in the area while waiting for something.
Maybe they’re gearing up for a tour of the ancient and rugged Kimberley Region or hopping on a bus down to Perth before stopping at Australia’s Jurassic Park on the way.
Either way, if you find yourself with a few days to spend in Broome, here’s what I got to during my stay there.
1) Sunset at Cable Beach
Open daily — times may vary
When I arrived in Broome, I was just off the back of ten days in the Kimberley region, one of Australia’s most remote. As a non-camper hiker person who had signed up for the tour on a whim cause she “wanted to see the outback,” I was dead beat.
A lot of my newfound friends spent their 2 1/2 days in Broome living it up and seeing everything they could see. I took it a bit easier and chose to nap, lie by the pool, and shop.
Hate me, if you must. But I’m still scrubbing out the red dirt.
Something I did enjoy doing, however, was popping down to the beach for a cheeky beveragino and sunset viewing.
2) Take a camel ride at Cable Beach
Open daily — times may vary
I didn’t want to pay extra because my budget was bursting at the seams, but those who did looked like they had a lot of fun. If you don’t want to pay, you can still go and pat the camels, as well as do a little photoshoot.
Book your tickets now and save time for more camel pats.
3) Eat dinner at Matso’s
Open daily — times may vary
Matso’s is a popular brewery and restaurant located in Broome, Western Australia. The brewery is famous for its handcrafted beers, which are brewed using traditional techniques and local ingredients. Matso’s beer is available in a variety of flavors, including ginger beer, mango beer, and chili beer. If you’re not a beer person (like myself) they also have hard ciders and lemonades, which really hit the spot. You can even pick up a few at the local bottle-o to enjoy down the beach.
In addition to beer, Matso’s also serves a range of food, including seafood, burgers, and salads. The restaurant has a relaxed and casual atmosphere and is a popular spot for both locals and tourists. We had our “goodbye” dinner here after the tour from Darwin to Broome.
Quick tip: Be really switched on about bringing your passport with you when you go out to eat.
Not here, but we went to another pub the next night to watch a rugby game. They let me in (guess the door guys were slacking), but they wouldn’t serve me the coke and chicken burger I ordered cause they couldn’t verify I was over 18. I was 26 at the time lol.
But since it was a pub, you needed to be of age to get in. I only had my driver’s license from Texas, but since it wasn’t a federal-level ID, the manager would not accept it. He didn’t kick me out, but I couldn’t even be served water.
4) Enjoy the Broome Historical Museum
Open daily — times may vary
The Broome Historical Museum is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the history and culture of northwestern Australia. The museum provides a detailed account of the pearling industry that was once the backbone of the Broome economy. You get to see a range of diving equipment and learn about the dangers faced by pearl divers, as well as its dark history.
Plus, Broome was heavily impacted by World War II, and the museum provides insight into the town’s role in the conflict. You could probably spend at least an hour, if not two, getting lost in the exhibits.
Book tickets for a pearling tour if you want to see history come to life.
5) Check out the Broome Staircase to the Moon
Open daily — times may vary
The Broome Staircase to the Moon is a natural phenomenon that occurs between March and October each year when the full moon rises over the exposed tidal flats of Roebuck Bay. The rising moon creates an illusion of a staircase reaching up to the moon, hence the name.
But the Staircase to the Moon is not just a beautiful sight; it is also a significant cultural event for the local Yawuru people, who have lived in the area for thousands of years. The Yawuru people believe that the Staircase to the Moon is a sign of good luck and abundance and hold cultural celebrations during the event
I got there right at the end of September and wasn’t able to see it, so don’t be too disappointed if you miss it during the shoulder season.
6) Discover dinosaur footprints at Gantheaume Point
Open daily — times may vary
Gantheaume point is one of the most dramatic places to take photos in Broome. The rugged red cliffs against the turquoise sea are the perfect background for any and all Insta photoshoots.
Where did the name come from? It was named after a French explorer who thought it was an island. After you’re done with your photos, you can see dinosaur footprints at low tide. However, there is also a plaster cast made of them embedded in the top of the cliff, if you miss the tidal schedule, or just don’t want to scramble over the rocks.
The prints of the Dinosaur Coast at Gantheaume Point can be reached when tides are below 2.16m. However, the rocks are always very slippery and no lifeguards patrol the area. Bring sturdy shoes and always tell someone where you are going! I was wearing flip-flops (per the photo), so I just looked at the sign.
The Broome Visitor Centre encourages all visitors to be mindful of the request by Traditional Owners to stay on designated paths at Gantheaume Point and Minyirr for their own safety.
7) Visit the Japanese Cemetery Broome
Open daily — times may vary
The Japanese Cemetery in Broome is a significant historical site that commemorates the lives of Japanese pearl divers who worked in the pearling industry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
During this time, Broome was one of the world’s largest pearling centers, and Japanese divers played a significant role in the industry. The Japanese Cemetery was established in 1896 and is the resting place for over 900 Japanese divers who lost their lives while working in the industry. It is a symbol of the strong cultural ties between Japan and Broome, as many of the divers came from coastal fishing villages in Japan.
8) Get a massage
Open daily — times may vary
This was one of the best things I did in Broome. After my Kimberley camping trip, I was dying for a bit of rest and relaxation. I was always dealing with a bit of bad back. After nearly two weeks of sleeping on the ground in a swag, it wasn’t getting any better. There are a number of places along the main street that have similar prices.
I did a full body massage and one of my friends just popped in for some foot reflexology for a quick reset before we continued on toward Perth.
9) Do some shopping
Open daily — times may vary
The shopping in Broome was great! There were lots of local aboriginal artists selling amazing paintings, postcards, and jewelry. If you like the dot painting style commonly used by indigenous artists, this is a great place to pick up a few new items for your collection. Plus, Broome is a great place to purchase pearl jewelry, of course.
Or a new handbag, but just make sure that you also give it a bit of a photo shoot on BAGot Street.
My thoughts on Broome, Western Australia
I enjoyed my few days in Broome, but felt like a long-term stay would get a little boring.
But as far as things to do around the city, you really only need about one or two days to take it all in before heading to your next destination. I liked the opportunity to do some swimming and laundry between my two big west coast Australia road trips. But other than that, the downtown area was pretty sleepy, especially after dark, as there were significantly fewer people around and fewer things to do.
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