1. Cape Range National Park

Drive southwest along the coastline from Broome, and you will find Cape Range National Park situated on a stunning peninsula. The drive itself is a scenic delight, but the park can easily keep you busy for days. Fifty kilometres of beautiful beaches await you along with rugged limestone ranges. Famous spots include Yardie creek, Mandu Mandu Gorge, Shothole Canyon and Charles Knife Canyon. While you are here, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife; you may very well spot an emu or a red kangaroo.

2. Exmouth Gulf

The Cape Range National Park peninsula actually borders the Exmouth Gulf. This gulf contains 50 kilometres of mangroves, supporting a significant population of grey-tailed tattlers and pied oystercatchers. What Exmouth is most famous for however is snorkelling and diving. You also can take a tour on a glass-bottom boat to behold the colourful wonder of the reef without getting wet. For an unforgettable adventure, you can swim with manta rays or giant whale sharks.

3. Eighty Mile Beach

You will find this beach about halfway between Broome and Port Hedland. Measuring 220 kilometres, it actually is 140 miles long, not 80! Here, the Great Sandy Desert meets the Indian Ocean. Many migratory shorebirds make their home along the beach, including red knots, great knots, red-necked stints, pied oystercatchers, grey-tailed tattlers, greater sand plovers, and many more.

Eighty Mile Beach is easy to get to, but it is still somewhat “off the beaten path.” Tourism here is not all that big, so this is the perfect option to get away from the crowds which sometimes can overrun the more popular sites. There is a caravan park located here where you can stay in comfort. Take the time to stroll along the beach, collect shells, watch birds, fish and relax.

4. Prince Regent National Park

As the “Prince of Parks,” Prince Regent National Park is one of Western Australia’s most magical places—and it is only a short drive from Broome. The defining feature of the park is of course the Prince Regent River, which cuts through soaring vertical cliffs down almost the entire length of the park. Listen to the roar of the Kings Cascades or explore Mount Trafalgar. Prince Regent National Park offers some of the most spectacular scenery on the Western Australian coast.

Now you know about some of the exciting spots along the northwest coast of Australia close to the town of Broome. Just one of these destinations can keep you busy for days, so plot your itinerary with care. There is more to see and do here than you can possibly fit into a single vacation!

1. Prince Regent National Park

Prince Regent is one of the closest national parks to Broome. Sometimes called the “Prince of Parks,” it is a haven of natural wonder and historical interest. At Careening Bay, you will find a famous boab tree inscribed by the carpenter who travelled with Philip Parker King’s 1820 survey expedition. Other highlights include the dramatic Kings Cascades waterfalls, Python Cliffs and Pitta Gorge.

2. Mitchell River National Park

You will actually find Mitchell River National Park at the northeast corner of Prince Regent National Park. Here you will find a sight like no other—a majestic tiered row of waterfalls plunging one after the next into a set of deep pools cutting through the blocky sand stone gorges of the Mitchell Plateau. The sheer magnificence of this spectacular set of falls is almost impossible to describe; you will just need to climb into your 4WD camper hire Broome and see it for yourself.

3. Drysdale River National Park

East of Mitchell River and Prince Regent, you will discover Drysdale River National Park. This is a remote and rugged adventure for experienced bushwalkers. There is a campground amid the woodlands, creeks and gorges, but accessing Bulldust Yards from Kalumburu Road is quite a challenge. You will definitely need 4WD to visit this park, and you may want to hike to the campground when you arrive.

4. Karlamilyi National Park

You may worry that Broome is too far north to get a feel for the arid Australian Outback, but you would be wrong! South of Broome, Karlamilyi is situated in a remote, arid landscape. It is both the largest and the most isolated park in Pilbara, located between the Little and Great Sandy Deserts. Here you will find beautiful red rock formations and an abundance of desert wildlife.

5. Karijini National Park

You will find this park southwest of Broome. Like Karlamilyi, it features desert scenery including some remarkable geological formations. Many arid ecosystems are represented here. There are a number of campgrounds and day-use areas in the park including Dales Gorge Campground, Weano Gorge Day Use Area, and Karijini Eco Retreat.

As you can see, the diversity of ecosystems in the area immediately surrounding Broome is quite amazing. Whether you want to view cascading waterfalls, coastal cliffs, lush rainforests, or arid red deserts, you will find plenty of exciting caravan destinations amid the majestic National Parks within a short drive of the city.