Broome Bird Observatory TOURS
Tours and Activities Land Based Tours Water Based Tours
Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM March through November. These hours apply to the office and shop, but the Observatory trails and facilities are accessible at all hours.
Broome Bird Observatory is located on the north shore of Roebuck Bay, shorebird capital of Australia and one of the world’s great bird-watching destinations.
We are a not-for-profit organisation for research, education and recreational bird-watching.
Join one of our tours and experience Broome’s amazing birdlife — we offer 2.5hr and full-day tours to Roebuck Bay and beyond.
Stay overnight in our basic but comfortable air-con rooms, or camp in our bush campground ($20 per adult per night, children 8 – 12 years $10, under 8s free)
Take a short walk down to the beach or explore the trails around the BBO grounds.
Join us for Bird Log every evening — share your observations and hear what other birds and animals have been seen around the area.
We offer a variety of birdwatching and nature tours, each showcasing a different habitat found within 70 km of the observatory. Marvel at mangroves and 10 metre tides, spy on flocks of thousands of roosting shorebirds on red sandy beaches, see the life that exists only with fresh water at ephemeral wetlands, and enjoy the setting Western Australian sun over vast empty plains.
With over 300 species recorded in the Broome area, we are sure to add some long-desired species to your list. New to birdwatching? Our tours are a great starting point for those who just want to get out and appreciate nature. Targeting something specific? No problem! Our guides are experienced birdwatchers with an intimate knowledge of our regions birds and can help get you onto that long-awaited addition to your life list. We can even tailor a tour to suit your needs.
Book online below
#Experience the magic of Roebuck Plains at sunset as we seek out Yellow Chat, Brolga, birds of prey and Northern Nail-tail Wallaby. ## Duration 3 hours ##About The grasslands of Roebuck Plains Station are home to a variety of birds, and as the year progresses this tour showcases an ever-changing set of species. Soon after the wet season, freshwater wetlands attract a range of waterbirds. As the plains dry, waterbirds leave, but the grasslands and salt flats become more accessible, revealing other species. Always excellent for raptors, wide open space and stunning sunsets, the Bush and Plains Tour is an excellent choice for nature lovers who want to see this enchanting landscape. **No walking required. Bush and Plains tours are conducted on scheduled afternoons at 3:00 PM or 3:30 PM depending on the time of year, and return after sundown.** **Please be aware the BBO is 25 km from Broome by road and 15 km of this is on an unsealed dirt road (4WD recommended). If you are unable to drive here, we offer a transfer service from your accommodation in Broome to our site ($60 for one guest plus $15 for each additional guest on the same booking). Please let us know during the booking process if you require this.**
#Explore the fantastic diversity unique to mangrove ecosystems. ## Duration 2 hours and 30 minutes ##About We begin at the end of Crab Creek Road, where the pindan meets the plain and the extensive mangrove system of eastern Roebuck Bay begins. On this 2.5‑hour tour you will spend time deep among the mangroves, searching for special birds restricted to this habitat like White-breasted Whistler, Dusky Gerygone and Mangrove Fantail. Emerging on the far side of the mangroves provides good views of the abundant birdlife feeding on the mudflats. A variety of other fascinating creatures are likely to be encountered. **This tour involves roughly 1 km of walking on sand and mud. Participants must be stable on their feet. Tour timing is tide dependent.** **Please be aware the BBO is 25 km from Broome by road and 15 km of this is on an unsealed dirt road (4WD recommended). If you are unable to drive here, we offer a transfer service from your accommodation in Broome to our site ($60 for one guest plus $15 for each additional guest on the same booking). Please let us know during the booking process if you require this.**
#Explore the fantastic diversity unique to mangrove ecosystems. ## Duration 2 hours and 30 minutes ##About We begin at the end of Crab Creek Road, where the pindan meets the plain and the extensive mangrove system of eastern Roebuck Bay begins. On this 2.5‑hour tour you will spend time deep among the mangroves, searching for special birds restricted to this habitat like White-breasted Whistler, Dusky Gerygone and Mangrove Fantail. Emerging on the far side of the mangroves provides good views of the abundant birdlife feeding on the mudflats. A variety of other fascinating creatures are likely to be encountered. **This tour involves roughly 1 km of walking on sand and mud. Participants must be stable on their feet. Tour timing is tide dependent.** **Please be aware the BBO is 25 km from Broome by road and 15 km of this is on an unsealed dirt road (4WD recommended). If you are unable to drive here, we offer a transfer service from your accommodation in Broome to our site ($60 for one guest plus $15 for each additional guest on the same booking). Please let us know during the booking process if you require this.**
#Explore the fantastic diversity unique to mangrove ecosystems. ## Duration 2 hours and 30 minutes ##About We begin at the end of Crab Creek Road, where the pindan meets the plain and the extensive mangrove system of eastern Roebuck Bay begins. On this 2.5‑hour tour you will spend time deep among the mangroves, searching for special birds restricted to this habitat like White-breasted Whistler, Dusky Gerygone and Mangrove Fantail. Emerging on the far side of the mangroves provides good views of the abundant birdlife feeding on the mudflats. A variety of other fascinating creatures are likely to be encountered. **This tour involves roughly 1 km of walking on sand and mud. Participants must be stable on their feet. Tour timing is tide dependent.** **Please be aware the BBO is 25 km from Broome by road and 15 km of this is on an unsealed dirt road (4WD recommended). If you are unable to drive here, we offer a transfer service from your accommodation in Broome to our site ($60 for one guest plus $15 for each additional guest on the same booking). Please let us know during the booking process if you require this.**
#Explore the fantastic diversity unique to mangrove ecosystems. ## Duration 2 hours and 30 minutes ##About We begin at the end of Crab Creek Road, where the pindan meets the plain and the extensive mangrove system of eastern Roebuck Bay begins. On this 2.5‑hour tour you will spend time deep among the mangroves, searching for special birds restricted to this habitat like White-breasted Whistler, Dusky Gerygone and Mangrove Fantail. Emerging on the far side of the mangroves provides good views of the abundant birdlife feeding on the mudflats. A variety of other fascinating creatures are likely to be encountered. **This tour involves roughly 1 km of walking on sand and mud. Participants must be stable on their feet. Tour timing is tide dependent.** **Please be aware the BBO is 25 km from Broome by road and 15 km of this is on an unsealed dirt road (4WD recommended). If you are unable to drive here, we offer a transfer service from your accommodation in Broome to our site ($60 for one guest plus $15 for each additional guest on the same booking). Please let us know during the booking process if you require this.**
#Explore the fantastic diversity unique to mangrove ecosystems. ## Duration 2 hours and 30 minutes ##About We begin at the end of Crab Creek Road, where the pindan meets the plain and the extensive mangrove system of eastern Roebuck Bay begins. On this 2.5‑hour tour you will spend time deep among the mangroves, searching for special birds restricted to this habitat like White-breasted Whistler, Dusky Gerygone and Mangrove Fantail. Emerging on the far side of the mangroves provides good views of the abundant birdlife feeding on the mudflats. A variety of other fascinating creatures are likely to be encountered. **This tour involves roughly 1 km of walking on sand and mud. Participants must be stable on their feet. Tour timing is tide dependent.** **Please be aware the BBO is 25 km from Broome by road and 15 km of this is on an unsealed dirt road (4WD recommended). If you are unable to drive here, we offer a transfer service from your accommodation in Broome to our site ($60 for one guest plus $15 for each additional guest on the same booking). Please let us know during the booking process if you require this.**
#This tour focuses on viewing the shorebirds for which Roebuck Bay and the Observatory are so famous. ## Duration 2 hours and 30 minutes ##About We spend approximately 2.5 h visiting roost sites along the northern shores of the bay around high tide. At this time, the shorebirds are forced from their feeding areas by the rising tide and come to rest at specific locations along the shoreline. This gives us a unique opportunity to view a wide variety of shorebird species at relatively close range which helps to discern the sometimes subtle features that distinguish the different species. Your guide will teach you key identification features, discuss the ecology and conservation importance of Roebuck Bay, and explain the incredible life cycle of its migratory shorebirds. **Travel between roost sites is by vehicle and very little walking is required. Tour timing is tide dependent.** **Please be aware the BBO is 25 km from Broome by road and 15 km of this is on an unsealed dirt road (4WD recommended). If you are unable to drive here, we offer a transfer service from your accommodation in Broome to our site ($60 for one guest plus $15 for each additional guest on the same booking). Please let us know during the booking process if you require this.**
#This tour focuses on viewing the shorebirds for which Roebuck Bay and the Observatory are so famous. ## Duration 2 hours and 30 minutes ##About We spend approximately 2.5 h visiting roost sites along the northern shores of the bay around high tide. At this time, the shorebirds are forced from their feeding areas by the rising tide and come to rest at specific locations along the shoreline. This gives us a unique opportunity to view a wide variety of shorebird species at relatively close range which helps to discern the sometimes subtle features that distinguish the different species. Your guide will teach you key identification features, discuss the ecology and conservation importance of Roebuck Bay, and explain the incredible life cycle of its migratory shorebirds. **Travel between roost sites is by vehicle and very little walking is required. Tour timing is tide dependent.** **Please be aware the BBO is 25 km from Broome by road and 15 km of this is on an unsealed dirt road (4WD recommended). If you are unable to drive here, we offer a transfer service from your accommodation in Broome to our site ($60 for one guest plus $15 for each additional guest on the same booking). Please let us know during the booking process if you require this.**
#This tour focuses on viewing the shorebirds for which Roebuck Bay and the Observatory are so famous. ## Duration 2 hours and 30 minutes ##About We spend approximately 2.5 h visiting roost sites along the northern shores of the bay around high tide. At this time, the shorebirds are forced from their feeding areas by the rising tide and come to rest at specific locations along the shoreline. This gives us a unique opportunity to view a wide variety of shorebird species at relatively close range which helps to discern the sometimes subtle features that distinguish the different species. Your guide will teach you key identification features, discuss the ecology and conservation importance of Roebuck Bay, and explain the incredible life cycle of its migratory shorebirds. **Travel between roost sites is by vehicle and very little walking is required. Tour timing is tide dependent.** **Please be aware the BBO is 25 km from Broome by road and 15 km of this is on an unsealed dirt road (4WD recommended). If you are unable to drive here, we offer a transfer service from your accommodation in Broome to our site ($60 for one guest plus $15 for each additional guest on the same booking). Please let us know during the booking process if you require this.**
Refunds and Cancellations:
High Season (1 April – 30 September) :
• Cancellation 30 days or more = full refund
• Cancellation less than 30 days = no refund
Low Season (1 October – 31 March):
• Cancellation 30 days or more = full refund
• Cancellation 14 – 30 days = 50 per cent refund
• Cancellation less than 14 days = no refund