Highlights

Pearl Luggers and Pearling Tours

It is often said that Broome’s pearling industry is as rich in culture as it is in pearls. Come and experience a fascinating insight to Broome’s unique heritage at Pearl Luggers, in the heart of Broome’s Chinatown. Learn the perils of the deep and discover first hand what made the pearl divers life so hazardous and what drove so many to put their lives at risk. Was it the riches, the status or just the lure of the pearl?

Through guided tours and enthralling stories learn of the impact pearling has had upon Northern Australia and why such a large number of nationalities were enticed, often by force, into our pearling industry. View two of the last surviving and perfectly restored pearling luggers, the vessel synonymous with Broome, surrounded by a reconstructed tidal jetty and an authentic pearlers store.

You may wish to venture north for a tour at a working pearl farm!

• Book Willie Creek Pearl Farm experiences
• Book Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm Tours
• Book Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm Accommodation
• Book a cruise on Willie the pearl lugger
• View all pearl tours

Photo of Pearl Luggers entry at the Willie Creek Pearls Showroom in Chinatown (Dampier Tce) by Abby Murray Photography

Back to top

Cable Beach

Cable Beach is 22kms of pristine white sand and clear tropical waters. Watch the spectacular sunset over the Indian Ocean. Whether you want to stay near Cable Beach, or just enjoy a beautiful ocean sunset on Cable Beach, you can't leave Broome without some time on this world-famous beach. You will also see the camel rides happening in the morning, afternoon and at sunset.

Cable Beach is the iconic location of several major tourism events including the Shinju Matsuri Long Table Dinner.

North of the rocks is the place to be for 4WD vehicle enthusiasts. You can access cable beach via the vehicle ramp (access is from Cable Beach Road West). The speed limit for vehicles driving on both Cable Beach both near Gantheaume Point and north of the rocks is 15km/h. The areas in which vehicles are permitted are clearly sign posted. You must be aware of the tides as they can change quickly. Read more about driving on cable beach.

BEACH LIFEGUARD SERVICE

The Shire of Broome provides a beach lifeguard service in partnership with the Broome Surf Life Saving Club during the dry season, April – October, 11.00 am to 4.00pm. Find out more about beaches and beach safety. Also, no lifeguard service occurs at Gantheaume Point or any other beach locations in Broome. Lifeguards will be back to Cable Beach on Good Friday, March 29, 2024.

We encourage you to check tide information and ensure you are aware of the tidal changes at beaches in Broome.

A gate has been installed at the Cable Beach Amphitheatre and will be locked when vehicle access is not permitted and also during Turtle Nesting Season. More information >

A reminder to please observe all signage and speed limits when using a vehicle on Cable Beach and be aware of the tidal changes. Tide information here.

Photos by Abby Murray Photography

Back to top

Streeter’s Jetty

Streeter’s Jetty on Dampier Terrace, prior to the recent reconstruction, was an original Broome jetty used by the pearl luggers.

Streeter's Jetty was built for pearl dealers and merchants E. W. Streeter & Co of London, and is known to have been in existence in 1897. A channel cut through the mangroves to Dampier Creek provided access to Streeter's Jetty for luggers and other small vessels. Associated with the jetty were the Streeter and Male Stores on Short Street. In 1897, the Government provided a town jetty at Mangrove Point, and a tramway was built to link the jetties and Chinatown.

The tramway operated until 1948. The jetty is subject to great variations in the tide, being sometimes covered with water, and king tides in particular damage the structure. - Source: Australian Heritage Council Register (AHC 18074).

This historically significant jetty is a favourite for tourists visiting the area, and remains an important reminder of Broome's past.

It was announced by the Shire of Broome in May 2021, that Broome’s iconic Streeter’s Jetty was set for a reconstruction, with the Shire of Broome given the green light to restore the important local attraction to its former glory. Thorough structural investigations were undertaken by an external engineering consultancy, who found the jetty’s piles and bracing were failing and a full replacement was required. Due to safety concerns, the jetty was closed to the public in February 2020. First constructed in 1886, this is the fifth time that the jetty has been demolished and rebuilt, with the last full reconstruction taking place in 2000.

The jetty was 69m in length and constructed of natural timber saltwater Cajaput piles. The option to rebuild the structure in its current form was explored but not found to be feasible as it would not meet Australian standards for crowd loading and vessel berthing. The Shire engaged with local stakeholders and the Heritage Council of Western Australia to provide input into the reconstruction of the jetty. The recently re-constructed jetty has 14 steel piles and a steel frame supporting timber decking, kerbs, handrails and a section of heritage façade, which were constructed from historic materials and replicate the existing jetty.

Streeter's Jetty was opened on the weekend of April 2022 for the public to once again be able to access this significant location.

To read more about the history of Streeter's Jetty, download this pdf from the Australian Society for Historical Archaeology (ASHA) or pop in and visit the Broome Historical Museum when you arrive.

Back to top

First Nations Tours and Experiences

We have some of the world's most unique Aboriginal owned and First Nations led tourism businesses operating in Broome and the Dampier Peninsula region. We invite you to get out on country with First Nations tour guides to raise your cultural awareness and encourage the future growth of the Aboriginal Tourism industry. From mangrove experiences, mud-crabbing, fishing, Aboriginal art, food experiences and more, there is a cultural tour to suit everyone. Browse the Aboriginal Experiences or discover Cultural tours.

The Broome Visitor Centre has been providing booking services and information about local tours for over 45 years, so come in and talk to us about the tour options or give us a call on 08 9195 2200.

Back to top

Gantheaume Point

Gantheaume Point features amazing rock formations and is also home to some of Broome’s famous Dinosaur footprints including a plaster cast of some the tracks. Gantheaume point is a photographer's dream. The textures, sunsets, sunrises and colours are beautiful to see and capture. Walk through the trails of the Yawuru Minyirr Buru Conservation Park.

Care must be taken when exploring this area and we encourage all visitors to stick to the designated walking paths and be aware of large tidal changes in this area.

The lighthouse at Gantheaume Point was built in 1905 and was "one of ten lighthouses built on the West Australian coast between 1900 and 1913" according to the Heritage Council of Western Australia. The lighthouse was rebuilt in 1984. The light is powered by mains electricity and can be seen for18 nautical miles in normal weather conditions.

"When the residence was no longer required for a lighthouse keeper it was purchased by Pat Percy and his wife Anastasia. Pat was a police sergeant at Broome, but took up the more lucrative pursuit of pearling. Pat Percy invented the pearl box, a secure box for safeguarding pearls on board the luggers until they could be handed over to the pearling master. He was a member of Broome Road Board and held the post of Chairman. Anastasia Percy suffered from arthritis and when they moved out to the lighthouse keeper's house, Percy found a large hole, washed by the spring tide, which he had cemented so Anastasia could relax in the water to alleviate her condition. The remains of the chimney of the lighthouse keeper's house were restored by the Historical Society." - Read more at the Heritage Council of Western Australia

Anastasia's Pool was damaged by a storm in 2014. A lighthouse keeper create the pool for his arthritic wife so during high tide the saltwater created a place for her to soak. These rockpools are dangerous and not suitable for swimming as undercurrents can drag swimmers out to sea.

Access to Gantheaume Point is via the Gantheaume Point Road, off Gubinge Road. During dry season, catch the Broome Explorer bus (only once per morning in high season, no return service) to Gantheaume Point and walk back along Cable Beach. The walk from Cable Beach to Gantheaume Point is about 5km.

There is no lifeguard patrol at this location. Gantheaume Point is 9kms from the Broome Visitor Centre.

Back to top

Simpsons Beach

Simpsons Beach is becoming quite famous due to the amazing colours and contrasts of the red pindan and blue water. With the mangroves and a famous tree that sits alone, Simpsons Beach is located close to the Broome Dinosaur Adventures base (use that location in google maps to get you there) near Broome Port and overlooks the beautiful Roebuck Bay. The colours of this beach are amazing as it’s a red sand beach which meets the beautiful blue water. Access is via stairs from the carpark (look for the sign that says Beach Access). This is a beautiful location for photography including weddings and is fast becoming one of the most 'instagram' worthy spots in Broome.

Photo by: Sloane Carvell | Instagram @crumbsandcorks

Back to top