Image: Tourism WA
Broome is one of those places that feels instantly different. Red pindan earth meets turquoise water, tides shape the landscape daily, and life moves at a noticeably slower pace. Whether you’re visiting for a few days or planning a longer stay, Broome offers a mix of natural beauty, culture, history and experiences that are unlike anywhere else in Australia.
If you’re wondering what to prioritise, these are twenty-five of the best things to do in Broome.
1. Watch the Sunset at Cable Beach
Cable Beach is one of Broome’s most iconic locations, known for its wide white sands and uninterrupted sunsets. Watching the sun dip below the Indian Ocean is a daily ritual for locals and visitors alike, whether from the beach itself or one of the nearby lookout points.
2. Learn About Broome’s Pearling History
Pearling has shaped Broome’s identity for generations. Visiting sites such as Chinatown, the Pearl Luggers tour, Broome Historical Museum, or a working pearl farm provides insight into the industry, the people behind it, and its cultural significance to the region.
3. Visit Willie Creek Pearl Farm
Willie Creek Pearl Farm is one of the most popular attractions in Broome. A guided tour explains how South Sea pearls are cultivated and explores the relationship between the environment and pearling. Visitors can reach the farm by road or as part of a scenic helicopter experience.
4. Take a Broome Scenic Flight
Seeing Broome from the air gives a completely different perspective on the region. A Broome scenic flight reveals the scale of the coastline, tidal creeks, red cliffs and beaches that are difficult to appreciate from the ground. Scenic helicopter flights are a popular way to experience several highlights in a short amount of time.
5. Explore Gantheaume Point
Located just outside town, Gantheaume Point is known for its striking red rock formations and dinosaur footprints that are visible at low tide. The contrast between the cliffs and the ocean makes it a favourite spot for photos and coastal walks.
6. Experience the Staircase to the Moon
The Staircase to the Moon is a natural phenomenon that occurs several times a year when the full moon reflects across exposed mudflats at low tide. The event is celebrated with night markets and attracts both locals and visitors.
7. Discover Town Beach and Broome Jetty
Town Beach offers a quieter alternative to Cable Beach and is closely tied to Broome’s history. The nearby jetty and surrounding area provide views across Roebuck Bay and are a good place to learn more about the town’s maritime past.
8. Visit the Dampier Peninsula
For those with more time, a trip to the Dampier Peninsula offers access to remote beaches, Aboriginal communities and rugged coastal scenery. While some areas are accessible by road, others are best experienced by air due to distance and conditions.
9. Enjoy a Camel Ride Along the Beach
Camel rides along Cable Beach are a classic Broome experience, particularly at sunset. It’s a relaxed way to enjoy the coastline and take in the changing colours of the sky and sea.
10. Visit the Broome Courthouse Markets
Held on weekends from 8am to 12pm, the Broome Courthouse Markets bring together local makers, growers and food vendors in the shade of large trees in the heart of town. It’s a great way to support local artisans and pick up something unique to remember your visit by.
11. Explore 120 Million-Year-Old Dinosaur Trackways with Broome Adventure Cruises
The Dampier Peninsula coastline holds some of the world’s most significant dinosaur trackways, with footprints dating back around 120 million years. Joining a cruise with Broome Adventure Cruises gives you the chance to see these ancient prints from the water, while learning about the geology and Indigenous stories that make this stretch of coast so unique. Book a Broome Adventure Cruise here.
12. Visit Coconut Wells at High Tide
About a 20-minute drive out of town, Coconut Wells comes alive when the tide is over nine metres. The water rises up through the mangroves and creates a calm, sheltered spot that feels worlds away from the main beaches. Time your visit with the tide chart and bring a picnic to make the most of it.
13. Walk to the Catalina Flying Boat Wreck from Town Beach
On a very low tide, you can walk out across the mudflats from Town Beach to the wreck of a Catalina flying boat, one of several aircraft destroyed during the 1942 air raid on Broome. The walk is a reminder of the town’s wartime history and offers a striking perspective on the surrounding bay. The tide must be below 0.86m, and you should start walking out about an hour before low tide to allow enough time to return before the tide turns.
14. Spend Time at Simpsons Beach at High Tide
Simpsons Beach is a quieter local favourite, particularly when the tide is high and the water reaches close to the dunes. Sheltered from the wind, the calm waters showcase those famous Broome colours of pindan red and turquoise blue. Take a picnic or simply take in the view across Roebuck Bay.
15. Browse the Pearl Shops on Dampier Terrace in Chinatown
Dampier Terrace in Chinatown is home to some of Broome’s most established pearl showrooms. Wandering between them gives you a closer look at the craftsmanship behind South Sea pearls and the chance to take home a piece of Broome’s pearling legacy.
16. Visit the Croc Park
Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park, just outside town, is home to hundreds of saltwater and freshwater crocodiles, including some of the largest in captivity. Daily feeding tours bring you face-to-face with these remarkable animals and share the conservation story behind the park.
17. Lunch at the Golf Club for Panoramic Views of Broome
Broome Golf Club offers some of the best panoramic views in town, making it a relaxed lunch spot with a backdrop of ocean and coastline. You don’t need to be a golfer to enjoy it, the casual menu and elevated outlook are reason enough to visit.
18. Take a Sunset Cruise
A sunset cruise is one of the most relaxing ways to experience Broome’s coastline. Cruising along Roebuck Bay or Cable Beach as the sky turns gold gives you a different perspective on the town, with the chance to spot dolphins, turtles and seabirds along the way.
19. Take an Aboriginal Cultural Tour with Mabu Buru
Mabu Buru offers Aboriginal-led cultural experiences that share the stories, traditions and connection to Country of the Yawuru people. It’s a meaningful way to deepen your understanding of the land you’re visiting and one of the most rewarding experiences you can have in Broome.
20. Visit the Broome Bird Observatory
Located on the shores of Roebuck Bay, the Broome Bird Observatory is one of the most important shorebird sites in the world. A 4WD is recommended to access the area, where visitors can see thousands of migratory birds during peak season and join guided walks led by knowledgeable staff.
21. Explore Entrance Point at Low Tide
At low tide, Entrance Point reveals an underwater world that’s normally hidden from view. Coral, sea creatures and rock pools are exposed, making it a fascinating spot for families and anyone curious about the marine life that thrives along Broome’s coastline. Bring sturdy shoes and tread carefully to protect the reef.
22. Book a Whale Watching Tour
Between June and September, humpback whales migrate through Broome’s waters in large numbers, often travelling with calves. A whale watching tour gives you the chance to see these incredible animals up close in one of the world’s most important whale nursery regions.
23. Experience Horizontal Falls
Often described as one of Australia’s greatest natural wonders, the Horizontal Falls are created by enormous tidal movements forcing water through narrow gorges in the Kimberley. They can be experienced by boat, scenic flight or a combination of both, and are a true bucket-list highlight of any trip to the region.
24. Watch a Movie at Sun Pictures
Sun Pictures is the world’s oldest operating outdoor cinema and a much-loved Broome icon. Watching a film under the stars in this heritage-listed venue, with deckchairs, popcorn (and the occasion plane landing overhead!), is a wonderfully unique way to spend an evening.
25. Slow Down and Enjoy the Broome Lifestyle
One of the best things to do in Broome is simply slow down. Enjoy long lunches, beach walks, local food and warm evenings. Broome rewards visitors who allow time to take it in rather than rushing from place to place.
Seeing More of Broome in One Experience
Many visitors choose to include a scenic helicopter flight as part of their Broome itinerary, as it allows them to see several key landscapes in a single experience. Frontier Tours offers a range of helicopter flights departing from Broome, showcasing the coastline, tidal systems and surrounding regions from above.
Planning Your Time in Broome
Broome offers something different in every season, from dry season clarity to wet season colour and dramatic skies. When planning your visit, consider how much time you have, what you most want to experience, and whether combining activities can help you make the most of your stay.
For those looking to explore beyond the usual viewpoints, adding an aerial perspective can be a memorable way to see more of this unique part of Western Australia.
To make the most of your time in Broome, explore experiences that let you see more of the region in one unforgettable day. You can browse and book scenic helicopter flights online via Frontier Tours, or contact the team directly if you’d like help choosing the right experience for your visit.