Broome, Western Australia

One of the joys of expat life is the opportunity and desire to experience as much as possible in a limited time. When my family and I relocated to Sydney, Australia a few years ago, we weren’t quite sure how long our Australian adventure would last. So there was an urgency to tick off items on our bucket list. As our stay has extended, the desire to see as much of this country as possible hasn’t waned. We tried to hit the most well-known destinations in the beginning and saved some of the lesser-known spots for later, depending on how long we would stay. I’m glad we are still here because some of the less-travelled paths have been the best. One of the best is Broome in Western Australia. 

Western Australia is the largest state in Australia. A vast expanse of land with the fourth largest population. Because of this, so much of the landscape here is untouched by development and retains its natural beauty. 

My family spent a week in Broome. A destination that most of our local Sydney friends and acquaintances had never visited. And that’s not a surprise. It’s very remote and not the easiest to get to. Broome is small town of about 15,000 people located in the Kimberley region of Western Australia and is most renowned for its pearling industry. I could regale you facts but these folks do a much better job of telling you what you need to know.

We stayed at the lovely Cable Beach Club Resort on Cable Beach. I’d highly recommend this property if you’re planning a trip. There aren’t many choices for accommodation in Broome but that helps to maintain some of its charm. 

Our week in Broome has gone down as one of the best family holidays we’ve ever taken. Here’s a rundown of some of the highlights, in no particular order.

Matso’s

Matso’s is a local brewery and restaurant that’s famous for its ginger beer, a delicious and refreshing alcoholic ginger beer that’s quite ubiquitous in Broome. It was the first beverage we had at the Cable Beach Club, served on ice with a wedge of lime and it was basically the default beverage of choice. The brewery restaurant is worth a visit as well for it’s charming story, Asian-inspired menu, and array of other refreshing beverages brewed there. 

Sunsets on Cable Beach

One of the highlights of being in Western Australia is that you can see the sunset over the water on this side of the country. And the vantage of Cable Beach is stunning. So much so that there is a tradition here where people can drive their cars right onto the beach and set up camp for a couple of hours in anticipation of the sunset. You can also enjoy a drink and food at the Cable Beach Bar for the sunset as well. You’ll probably be doing this daily, as we did. 

Camel Ride on Cable Beach

If I’m being honest, things like this have always seemed a bit cheesy and a bit too touristy for my tastes. But that being said, I can adopt the When in Rome attitude and give things a go. So we arranged the sunset camel ride through our hotel but you can easily just call one of the outfits and book it on your own as well. 

I have to say this is one of the must-do things in Broome. The camels are lovely creatures and they each have their own personality. The ride is fun and views are spectacular. The guides will take your picture while the sun is setting and will capture the most spectacular images.

Horizontal Falls

The Horizontal Falls are created by a massive tidal change that moves a huge amount of water through a narrow gap in a cliff wall. It’s quite an experience boating through them! To get to the falls, you will have to take a sea plane over the incredibly scenic Kimberley region. Once you arrive you spend some time on a pontoon where you enjoy lunch and prepare for your boat ride through the falls as well as leisurely tour around the surrounding waters. There’s even an opportunity to pet sharks.

Cable Beach

The beach itself is one of the best beaches I’ve been to in Australia. Considering I live in Sydney, with its world-famous beaches, that should be quite the recommendation. The sand is flat and easy to walk on but maintains its ability to be transformed into castles if the fancy strikes. The water is crystal clean and incredibly warm. I’m not a water person but enjoyed wading into these waters. 

The most fascinating characteristic of this beach, however, is the dramatic tidal change across the day. From the highest tide to the lowest tide, the change could be a couple of hundred meters! one morning there was about 50 meters of beach when we set up camp. By late afternoon, the water’s edge was at least 200 meters away! 

Pearls

Broome is known for its pearling industry. You can take a pearling tour to see how pearls are harvested. I didn’t partake in this excursion but many do. You can go into town and visit the many shops on Dampier street to purchase some pearl jewelry as a keepsake. 

There are so many other worthwhile sights and experiences in Broome that we just didn’t get to. Hopefully we can return soon. If you get the opportunity to go, go!