Broome has a way of slowing you down the moment you arrive. Red pindan earth meets turquoise water, the tides reshape the coastline twice a day, and the whole town seems to run on its own relaxed rhythm. You could easily spend a fortnight here, but if all you have is a weekend, that’s more than enough time to fall for the place.
Here’s how to make the most of two days in Broome, with a little room to stretch it into a long weekend if you can.
Friday: Arrive and Settle Into Broome Time
However you arrive, your first afternoon is best spent easing into the pace. Drop your bags, grab something cold to drink, and make your way out to Cable Beach in time for sunset. Twenty-two kilometres of white sand meeting the Indian Ocean, it’s the most iconic spot in town and the sunsets are the stuff of postcards.
If you want the classic Broome photo, a camel ride along the sand as the sky turns gold is hard to beat. Otherwise, find a spot on the dunes, watch the colours change, and let the weekend properly begin. Stay on for dinner nearby and an early night, you’ve got a big day tomorrow.
Saturday Morning: Markets, Pearls and Chinatown
Start with the Broome Courthouse Markets, held on weekend mornings from 8am to 12pm in the shade of the old courthouse gardens. It’s the best place to meet local makers and growers, pick up something handmade, and grab breakfast from one of the food stalls.
From there, wander into Chinatown, the historic heart of Broome. This is where the town’s pearling story comes to life, from the pearl showrooms along Dampier Terrace to the heritage buildings that tell of Broome’s multicultural past. If you’d like to dig deeper, a Pearl Luggers tour or a visit to the Broome Historical Museum is well worth the time.
Saturday Afternoon: See Broome From the Air
Broome is one of those places that looks completely different from above. The scale of the coastline, the tidal creeks winding through the mangroves, the red cliffs against the turquoise sea, it all comes together in a way you simply can’t appreciate from the ground.
A scenic helicopter flight from Broome is the perfect way to spend an hour of your weekend and see several highlights at once. Frontier Tours offers a range of short scenic flights, from quick coastal loops to longer flights taking in Cable Beach, Gantheaume Point and the colours of Roebuck Bay.
Back on the ground, time a visit to Gantheaume Point with the low tide. The striking red rock formations are reason enough to visit, but at low tide you can also spot the 130-million-year-old dinosaur footprints preserved in the reef. It’s a lovely spot to stretch your legs before the evening.
Saturday Evening: A Film Under the Stars
There’s only one way to spend Saturday night in Broome, and that’s at Sun Pictures, the world’s oldest operating outdoor cinema. Settle into a deckchair with some popcorn and watch a film under the stars in this beautifully preserved heritage venue. The occasional plane passing low overhead only adds to the charm.
Sunday: Pearls, Tides and Wildlife
Dedicate your second morning to one of Broome’s signature experiences: Willie Creek Pearl Farm. A guided tour explains how South Sea pearls are cultivated and how closely the industry is tied to the local environment. You can drive out, or make the journey part of the experience and arrive by helicopter, taking in the coastline and tidal flats on the way.
If wildlife is more your thing, the Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park just outside town is home to hundreds of saltwater and freshwater crocodiles, with daily feeding tours that are as educational as they are thrilling.
Round out your weekend with a quieter afternoon at Town Beach, overlooking Roebuck Bay. It’s a more peaceful alternative to Cable Beach and a fitting place to reflect on your trip before you head home, ideally with an ice cream in hand.
Got an Extra Day? Go Bigger
If you can stretch your weekend into three or four days, the Kimberley really opens up. Top of the list is Horizontal Falls and Montgomery Reef, two of Australia’s greatest natural wonders. Both are best experienced by air, or by a combination of scenic flight and boat, and make for an unforgettable full-day adventure from Broome.
With more time up your sleeve, you could also venture out to the remote beaches and Aboriginal communities of the Dampier Peninsula, or join an Aboriginal-led cultural tour to learn about the Country you’re visiting from the people who know it best.
Tips for Your Broome Weekend
- Check the tides. Broome’s tides are enormous and they dictate everything from beach access to dinosaur footprint sightings. A quick look at the tide chart helps you plan your days.
- Visit in the dry season. May to October brings warm days, clear skies and calm conditions, perfect for scenic flights and time outdoors.
- Book ahead. Popular experiences like scenic flights, pearl farm tours and Sun Pictures sessions can fill up fast in peak season, so it pays to lock them in early.
- Hire a car. Many of Broome’s best spots are spread out, and having your own wheels gives you the freedom to chase the tides and the sunsets.
See More of Broome From Above
A weekend in Broome is the perfect introduction to the Kimberley, and adding an aerial perspective is one of the best ways to see more of it in the time you have. Frontier Tours offers a range of helicopter flights departing from Broome, from short scenic loops to full-day adventures over Horizontal Falls and Montgomery Reef.
Ready to see Broome from a whole new angle? Browse and book your scenic flight online with Frontier Tours, or get in touch with the team to help plan the perfect experience for your visit.