10 Must Do Highlights of Broome

Cable Beach

With its natural beauty and a variety of water activities, Cable Beach is one of the top attractions in Broome. Whether you're looking to swim in the pristine waters of the Indian Ocean or try out stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, or jet skiing, you’re guaranteed to find a fun-filled activity to enjoy during your holiday. Cable Beach is also the best location to experience spectacular Broome sunsets as you picnic at the Foreshore, sip on a cocktail at the Sunset beachfront bar, or ride a camel along the shoreline. 

Visit Cable Beach and other highlights of Broome as part of our Western Australia Self Drive Itineraries.

Broome Courthouse Markets

Located in the heart of Broome, the Courthouse Markets offer a unique shopping experience filled with local flavours, crafts, and entertainment. Every Saturday, locals and tourists alike flock to the historic Courthouse grounds to browse through a range of stalls offering everything from arts and crafts to fresh produce, clothing, and jewellery. Whether you're searching for a one-of-a-kind souvenir or simply want to immerse yourself in the local culture, the Broome Courthouse Markets are the perfect place to spend a Saturday morning.

Read our guide to the Best Markets to Visit in Broome for more details on local markets to visit during your trip.

Whale Watching

Every year, thousands of humpback whales migrate along the coast of North West Australia, making Broome one of the world’s prime destinations for whale watching. Embark on a whale watching tour where the knowledgeable guides provide fascinating insights into the whales' behaviour and biology. Depending on the season, you might also catch a glimpse of coastal manta rays, elusive dugongs, turtles, sharks, and other marine life. 

Experience Exmouth humpback and whale shark viewing as well as dolphin interaction at Monkey Mia on our Perth to Broome “Coastal Bliss” self-drive road trip. 

Willie Creek Pearl Farm

Known as the pearling capital of Australia, Broome thrived as a hub for pearl diving and cultivation during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, the town is still known for its pearling industry, which produces some of the finest pearls in the world. Join the Willie Creek Pearl Farm tour to learn more about the cultured modern farming process, witness oyster farms in action, and even harvest your own pearl. 

Gantheaume Point Dinosaur Footprints

Gantheaume Point, located at the southern end of Cable Beach, is famous for its 130-million-year-old dinosaur footprints. Along the "Dinosaur Coast" that follows the coastline from Broome and Roebuck Bay north to Cape Leveque at the tip of the Dampier Peninsula, you'll spot massive sauropod fossilised tracks along with footprints of smaller theropods that once roamed the area. The tracks are only visible in low tide during the dry season, so be sure to check local tide charts before heading out.

Read our blog article on Things to Do in Broome in Winter for more activities during the dry season. 

Jetty to Jetty Trail

Jetty to Jetty, a  2.5 km (1.5 mi) trail between Chinatown and Town Beach, provides an insight into Broome’s rich cultural history. Highlights include the old Courthouse with its beautiful tropical architecture, historic pearling locations, Pioneer Cemetery, and the Aboriginal community of Kennedy Hill. You can get a detailed Jetty to Jetty trail map at the Broome Visitor Centre.

Yawuru Nagulagun/Roebuck Bay Marine Park

Yawuru Nagulagun/Roebuck Bay Marine Park encompasses a vast area of over 1,750 square kilometres (675 square miles) south of Broome. The park is renowned for its diverse marine life, including extensive seagrass meadows, coral reefs, and an array of fascinating marine creatures. The bay also serves as a feeding and breeding ground for numerous bird species, such as curlew sandpipers, red knots, and bar-tailed godwits. 

Purnululu National Park

Purnululu National Park is famous for its iconic beehive-shaped sandstone domes, known as the Bungle Bungle Range. Embark on hiking trails that wind through the domes, revealing hidden rock pools, lush vegetation, and stunning panoramic views. The park also boasts incredible biodiversity, with an array of plants and native wildlife that thrives in the arid environment. Purnululu National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and its extraordinary beauty and cultural significance make it a must-visit destination near Broome.

Our Australia West Coast Honeymoon Package - Perth to Broome will take you to Purnululu and several other national parks, including Karijini, Kalbarri, and Nambung National Park.

Horizontal Falls

Horizontal Falls occur when huge tides squeeze through narrow cliff passages of the McLarty Range, creating a spectacular horizontal waterfall effect. The best way to experience this unique natural phenomenon is on a scenic seaplane flight with a water landing on Talbot Bay.

Read more about Horizontal Falls and other unique experiences in Broome during the wet season in our guide on Things to Do in Broome in Summer.

Stargazing

Broome is one of the best stargazing locations in the world. Embark on a unique two-hour stargazing journey of Broome’s starry skies with a self-taught astronomy enthusiast Greg Quicke, known among locals as “Space Gandalf.” Quicke offers tours between April and October at the Astro Tours dark site, around 20 minutes drive from Broome.

The Ideal Broome Itinerary

Ready to plan an unforgettable trip to Broome? At First Light Travel, we can help you create the perfect Western Australia self-drive itinerary. Have a look at our popular Perth to Broome road trips for more inspiration and contact our  Australia Travel Specialists if you wish to have an itinerary customised just for you.