Kimberley Region, Cable Beach Road West, Cable Beach WA 6726, Australia +61 8 9193 7423 Website 12am – 11:59pm Broome Campervan Hire

userloose (contributor)

Cable Beach somehow defines Broome. Of course there is the small town centre (China Town) with its shops, the museum and a few other attractions. But Cable Beach is like a small town on its own, and this is where most of the hotels and resorts are located.
I spent most of my time on the beach, of course because it was so beautiful, but also because this was the only place where I could stand the climate – there was a constant cool breeze here!

Cable Beach might be a strange name, and it is called like this because this is the place where the telegraph cable from Java connected Western Australia to the world. The cable is of course long gone, and now it is just a wonderful and impressive beach. It is 22km long and was indeed one of the best beaches I have ever seen. Just incredibly long, and during this time of the year not crowded at all. When I did a long walk in the morning from Gantheaume Point back to Cable Beach town, there were hardly any people! And even in the evening, when the camel rides for the tourists are done and people come to see the sunset, it did not feel crowded. Combined with this special, soft light that I only encountered in Western Australia, it felt like a piece of paradise.

My long beach walk was probably one of the best and most relaxing I have ever done, and Cable Beach totally lived up to my expectations. It is one of the places I really want to return to.

grottyboars (contributor)

The bus driver took us by Cable Beach because he said this was one of the things about Broome that we MUST see (even though it wasn’t on the tour). He told us it was named because this was where telephone cables had been laid. Apparently people ride camels on this beach although we did not see that.

I see from the internet that the beach is sometimes closed because the salties (Salt Water Crocs) also like this beach.

anvilcomplain (contributor)

The driver took us Cable Beach and I got out and took some photos. This was not actually one of the places listed on the tour. We just walked up to the top of the dune and took photos – we didn’t actually go down on the beach. There were some areas of rock in the sand

It looked like a nice beach and there were people there even though it was winter in Australia. The driver told us that the beach was named after the telegraph cable laid between Broome and Java in 1889. They ride camels on this beach.

furbelowheal (contributor)

Cable Beach it seems is the beach to be seen at. The beach itself is sparkling clean and a huge expanse of white, hard sand.

Be prepared to see some “expanses” of nude bodies!

You can hire sun lounges and umbrellas during the peak season.

jauntyredneck (contributor)

Watching the sunset is a popular activity in Broome. Many take their dinner, a lot more take drink, all come to watch the sun go down over the water.
Depending of what cloud formations there are, you may be in for a special treat but, more often that not during the tourist season (the dry) there will be no clouds.
However, when I was there there was a fire somewhere inland and the smoke drifted over and gave an unusual colour to the evening sky. None of these pictures have been touched up in any way, it’s just the way it was.
You can also drive onto the beach.

Latest Images of Cable Beach, Broome

 Gantheaume Point Rd, Broome WA 6725, Australia +61 8 9192 0000 Website Broome Campervan Hire

mullerchestnut (contributor)

Gantheaume Point is located at the southern end of Cable Beach, about 7km from the centre of Broome. Although this location is a little remote, Gantheaume Point is one of Broome’s most famous attractions. One reason for this is that here you can see dinosaur tracks that are more than 120 mio years old!!! Well, let’s rather say: You can see them in theory. They are only visible at very low tide (below 2,16m). Of course I visited at low tide, but I did not find the tracks… There is a replica at the top of the rocks, though.

Although I missed the real dinosaur tracks, the place was still worth a visit. There are many big red rocks, and it is very beautiful. The contrast between the blue see and the red rocks is fascinating. It was fun to clamber onto some of the rocks and explore the area.
Another thing to look out for is Anastasia’s Pool, an artificial pool carved into the rocks. It was constructed by a lighthouse keeper for his wife Anastasia, she suffered from arthritics. You can see the pool in picture 5.

Gantheaume Point was previously named Gantheaume Island because the French sailor Gantheaume, who was the first white person to discover it, mistook it for an island when he saw it from his ship.

After I spent some time at this wonderful place I walked back to Broome along Cable Beach, a nice and long beach walk of about four kilometers. I really enjoyed it!

tailedoort (contributor)

The last place they took us was Gantheaume Point, which has a lighthouse and also saw the casts of the dinosaur tracks (the real tracks are under water except at low tide). I took photos of them – they were cool even if they were fake.

There were neat red rock formations here. There was also a small man made rock pool built by a former lighthouse keeper for his wife Anastasia who was crippled with arthritis.

roticatenary (contributor)

Gantheaume Point has a lighthouse, and of course I am interested in lighthouses, but I did not get out of the bus because by this time I was really tired. So I had my granddaughter take a photo for me, and I just took pictures from the bus

The first tower was a 47ft open braced steel tower built in 1905. It was later replaced with an AGA lantern on a new tower in 1917. The current lighthouse was built in 1984. The lighthouse is active; focal plane 108 ft; two white flashes, separated by 3 seconds, every 10 seconds. It is a 75 ft tapered square steel skeletal tower with lantern and gallery. The lantern painted white. The keeper’s houses have been demolished. The station is surrounded by interesting red rock formations. Site open (but fenced), tower closed.

cellistsnodes (contributor)

Gantheaume Point lies at the southern end of Cable Beach and is where the lighthouse is. The rock formations here are, at times, extraordinary.
The dominant colour is rust red but the early morning and late afternoon light show them up to best advantage.
There’s a short patch of dirt road to negotiate to get there but it’s worth the effort.
Located approximately 6 km from town, this is a scenic area of red, craggy cliffs providing a stark contrast to the azure water below.
What are presumed to be dinosaur footprints over 120 million years old can be seen here when tides are less than 1.5 metres. As the reef area is very fragile, care must be taken when exploring this area. For the benefit of visitors a plaster cast of the tracks has been embedded at the top of the cliff.
On the north side of the point is Anastasia’s Pool, a small man made rock pool built by a former lighthouse keeper for his wife Anastasia who was crippled with arthritis.

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 67 Robinson St, Broome WA 6725, Australia +61 8 9192 2075 Website 10am – 4pm Broome Campervan Hire

prunecrowded (contributor)

Although Broome is quite small, it has a very interesting and moving history. Mostly this history is connected to the pearling industry.

The historical museum is a traditional style museum and very old-fashioned, but I loved it. I usually like these small local museums very much, they are full of interesting stuff and you can see that the volunteers put so much love into their work!
This museum was no exception. There was so much information on Broome’s history and the pearling industry, on the Japanese and Chinese people who worked here, how hard their lives were and how they shaped today’s society and life in the town. I especially liked that the Aboriginal people were not neglected, there was a lot about their traditional life in this region and how they were exploited by the pearling industry, when they were forced to work and in fact used as slaves.

It was sad to read about all of this, but as I said there were also exhibits about today’s society and the cultural heritage many Asian workers brought to Broome. There are some interesting old artifacts belonging to Aboriginal culture, as well as many historical photographs.
And last but not least, it was great to spend some time in an air-conditioned building!

Attention: The museum closes early during summer!

Admission fee: Adult 5,00AUD, concession 3,00AUD, children 12 to 17 years 1,00AUD.
Opening times: October to May daily 10.00am to 01.00pm, April to November daily 10.00am to 04.00pm, to 01.00pm on weekends.

loutishjam (contributor)

Broome Historical Museum: This museum is well worth a visit if you are interested in exploring the history and significance of a region or town. The museum consists of a number of different areas devoted to the history of Aborigines and pearling, cultured pearls, the impact of the White Australia Policy, the attacks on Broome during WW2, the influence of Horrie Miller and development of MMA (Early Australian airline) and the influence of his daughter as a Flying Doctor nurse.
The museum also has a section of past records and other memorabilia related to the pearling industry. Spend about an hour to one and half hours here.
The museum is run by the Broome Historical Society.

Cost of entry: $5.00 November to May the museum is only open from 10am-1pm.June-October 10am-4pm. Saturday and Sunday 10am-1pm.

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 297 Port Dr, Minyirr WA 6725, Australia +61 8 9193 5025 Website 6am – 6pm Broome Campervan Hire

saltybaffies (contributor)

An interesting way to have a look at the mudflats around Roebuck Bay is to take a hovercraft tour.

It is quite expensive but different!!

There are a number of different tours you can take including: a 1 hour tour over the tidal flats to see preserved dinosaur prints ($85), a sunset tour which takes 1 3/4 hour and includes hors d’oeuvres and non alcoholic cocktails ($125) or a full scenic/historic tour to see flying boat wreckages and the dinosaur prints 1 1/2 hour ($125).

We took the $85 trip and found it quite enjoyable. The driver/guide is quite informative and humorous. The seats are in pairs so you can get a good view of the surroundings.

Well worth it if you have the time and the money.

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 31 Dampier Terrace, Broome WA 6725, Australia +61 8 9192 0022 Website 9am – 5pm Broome Campervan Hire

effectorspades (contributor)

This attraction opened in early 1999 and has developed into one of the towns most talked about tours and has brought back to life the history and heritage of the early pioneering days.
A choice of two experiences are available. The day tour which takes and hour and 15 minutes, or the ultimate evening tour which features the tasting of exotic pearl shell meat dishes, a rare delicacy considering it sells for $700 per kilo in Japan!
This special evening tour not only includes a first hand insight into the world of pearling, but the opportunity to view one of Broome`s best collections of loose Australian South Sea Pearls, which are naturally available for purchase.
Pearl Luggers is situated in the heart of Chinatown, Broome and features two beautifully restored Broome built pearling luggers as well as an exciting collection of early pearling equipment.
It’s easy to find, just drive along Dampier Terrace and you’ll see the boats eventually.

The “Pearl Luggers museum” provides an excellent coverage of the “luggers” that worked with the pearlers. You can walk around at leisure and view some examples of the luggers or take part in a one hour tour provided by the Pearl Luggers museum at a cost of $22.00.

transfergauss (contributor)

This museum was the first part of our Broome excursion and we were late getting here because of the ship docking problems, so the hour tour was a little rushed. We didn’t really get to see the two original pearling luggers that were on display. The pearls in this case were the insides of the abalone shells which in the past were cut out to make buttons. The original pearling was getting those shells, not getting the pearls from inside of oysters. When plastic buttons came into general use, the pearling industry collapsed.

Entry Prices

Adult $25.00
Concession $20.00
Children $12.50 (6-16).

Children under 5 and under are free.

Family $60.00 (2+2)

PLEASE NOTE: These vessels no longer sail and are on display for your enjoyment.

twelveurinary (contributor)

The “Pearl Luggers museum” provides an excellent coverage of the “luggers” that worked with the pearlers. You can walk around at leisure and view some examples of the luggers or take part in a one hour tour provided by the Pearl Luggers museum at a cost of $22.00.

strippingknead (contributor)

The Pearl Luggers Exhibition is located in the town centre and consists of two historical pearl luggers that have been perfectly restored, the Sam Male and the DMcD. These luggers are original ships that went to sea, but are now permanently located in the town as a museum.

You can access the luggers for free and wander around on board, but to see the interior you need to take their one hour guided tour. I did not do this, but the website says that it includes “some rare archival footage” and presentations of the history of pearling. The tour price is 20,00AUD for an adult, 16,50AUD concession, 10,00AUD for a child and 50,00AUD for a family.

As I said I did not do the tour, but I enjoyed my short visit to the luggers.

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 32 Blackman St, Broome WA 6725, Australia +61 8 9192 0000 Website 9am – 5pm Broome Campervan Hire

lupusbeach (contributor)

This is the most commercial of the pearl companies in Broome, even though it’s the smallest.
Their tours to their nearby operation are popular and give you a wonderful insight into those precious things that women love.
In addition to a full explanation and demonstration of the humble pearl, you also get a boat ride around the Willie Creek area and will see a resident croc or two in addition to lots of birdlife.
They also have a showroom where the classification of pearls is explained. Let me tell you right here, the fakes are impossible to spot with the naked eye on first glance!
Also, I never knew that every oyster has its own resident blind crab – amazing.
Trips occur at least twice daily, book in at the local tourist office.
Willie Creek pearls is owned by a family called Banfield who came off their wheat property, influenced by the legendary Lord Alistair McAlpine, and got into the local tourism via the bus lines, ultimately branching out into pearls. They now own four showrooms.

antortoise (contributor)

There is no doubt that Broome is a “pearl” town. There are plenty of shops specialising in pearls and numerous tours and exhibits related to pearls which you can wander into and indulge in a fascination and perhaps a fantasy of buying a $20,000 pearl necklace.

If you plan to buy a pearl in Broome there are a number of considerations you need to make. Firstly, make sure that you are buying a cultured pearl not one that comes from Asia. These are sold in the shops in Broome. They will be cheaper and generally coloured!! The five criteria to judge pearls are: lustre, size, shape, colour and surface. Other products widely available in the shops around Broome are Keshi pearls (irregular shaped natural pearls), Mabe pearls (half pearls) and mother of pearl (shell of the oyster).
To find out more about pearls and their collection Willie Creek offers tours.
The big three Linneys, Kailis and Willy Creek are in Dampier Street.

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 7 Short St, Broome WA 6725, Australia +61 8 9192 2658 Website 10am – 3pm Broome Campervan Hire

minuscloning (contributor)

If you are interested in Indigenous Art or even understanding more about Indigenous Art Broome has plenty of galleries. The galleries are accessible within walking distance from the CBD.

The galleries I visited all had a brief biography of the artist and an explanation of the symbols used in the artwork which provides a greater appreciation of the work.

Most of these galleries have established long and close links with the communities. Some of these galleries also have websites which allow you to view and buy their artworks.

Short Street Gallery (www.shortstgallery.com.au) 7 Short Street Chinatown Broome
Broome 6 Gallery (www.broome6.com.au) 20 Hamersley St
Gecko Gallery (geckogallery.com.au ) 9 Short St (cnr Sam Su Lane), Chinatown
Murranji Gallery (www.murranji.com.au )13 Ord Way
Old Broome Lockup Gallery (www.groovylips.com) 22 Carnarvon St
Simply Broome Shop 1/20 Dampier Tce, Chinatown
Windram -Artist (www.windramart.com.au )26 Dampier Tce, Chinatown

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 91 Walcott St, Broome WA 6725, Australia +61 8 9192 1366 Website Broome Campervan Hire

acidicvocal (contributor)

This largely unappealing, though at times photogenic, bay is writ large in Broome’s history.
The English buccaneer William Dampier was the first European to actually visit Broome’s shores in 1688, after sailing north from Shark Bay in the H.M.S. Roebuck, and landing in the region of the Buccaneer Archipelago.
There’s a legend that says he also landed at what is today called Buccaneer Rock in Roebuck Bay and buried a pirate treasure chest.
You can see his ghost there at night, looking for his lost treasure with a lantern…then again, maybe you won’t; Dampier actually never landed at Roebuck Bay.
Still, the Dampier Archipelago, Dampier Peninsula, Roebuck Bay and of course the famous Roebuck Hotel on Dampier Terrace are all named after this first visit.
The bay itself is a mangrove lined mud flat sugject to huge tidal influence with the occasional croc or two. Not the sort of place to take the children……..then again, there have been times!

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 11 Dampier Terrace, Broome WA 6725, Australia Broome Campervan Hire

anotherbeignet (contributor)

Streeters Jetty off Dampier Terrace is a reconstructed old wooden jetty built out right through the mangroves for the old pearling ships to come close into town. It’s extraordinary to think that boats used to come up in between the dense mangrove forest.
Today people walk the 50 metres of the jetty to nothing; unless you want to jump off the end into the mud.
However, everyone looks over the side and sees fiddler crab heaven. The little red critters are everywhere. I took some time out to watch them and got to see an all male affair to decide the alpha male.
What happens is that they lock into each others big claw, a bit like an arm wrestle. After that they strain to overcome the other and, when they do, the winner flips the opponent upside down with a quick flick of his claw. It’s all over in seconds and the loser scurries off elsewhere.

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 19 Dampier Terrace, Broome WA 6725, Australia +61 8 9193 7423 8am – 8pm Broome Campervan Hire

brentfruity (contributor)

There are a number of companies that offer a camel ride along Cable Beach. The most expensive of course is the sunset ride at $60.

The most popular seems to be Red Camels. www.redsuncamels.com.au

Prices for adults
Morning (40 mins) $45
Afternoon (30 mins) $35
Sunset (60 mins) $60

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