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While its striking white sands, aquamarine waters and red earth rightfully command attention, it’s Broome’s fascinating backstory and unique experiences that makes it truly one-of-a-kind.
From the pearl diving and opium dens of the past, to the camel rides and celebrity sightings of the present, here are 10 fun facts about Broome.
1. Its iconic camels have been on the beach since the ‘80s
In 1981, Abdul Latif Casley, together with this family, walked the 1,500km from Katherine to Broome with their camels, later starting the Cable Beach camel safaris that Broome is famed for today. A must-do experience, the camel trains depart at morning or sunset, as the ethereal colours of the sky reflect off the glassy wet sands. A beloved part of Broome life, the camels head each afternoon to Spinifex Brewery, where excited children feed them carrots.
2. It was mostly developed by Lord McAlpine – who brought over a zoo
British politician and property investor Lord McAlpine fell in love with Broome in the late ‘70s and subsequently invested millions into its transformation as a tourism destination. He revived dilapidated buildings, including pearler’s houses and the Sun Pictures theatre, and transported animals from around the world for the (now-defunct) Pearl Coast Zoological Gardens.
3. It once supplied 80% of the world’s buttons… but its pearl diving history was deadly
A famous pearling port, by the 1900s Broome produced most of the world’s buttons, at a time when they were primarily made of mother-of-pearl. In the late 19th century, many pearl divers were recruited from Japan. A light frame was considered advantageous for the heavy diving suits (which could weigh up to an incredible 180kg with copper helmets and boots of lead) and powerful ocean currents. It was still an incredibly dangerous pastime, with more than 900 Japanese divers buried in Broome’s Japanese Cemetery today.
4. The famous Cable Beach is named after the telegraph line beneath it
In 1889, as the pearl diving industry boomed, an undersea telegraph cable was laid between Broome and Java – right beneath Cable Beach. This was used to recruit labourers and deck hands from Asia, who travelled from as far as Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines in search of their fortune. This rich diversity of settlers shaped Broome’s own Chinatown, where gambling dens, brothels, bars and a cinema provided an outlet from the gruelling pearl diving work.
5. You can buy world-class pearls and gin made from the oyster shells
Broome’s pearling industry may look very different now, but it still produces some of the world’s finest pearls to this day – and unmissable souvenirs to take home. Cygnet Bay Pearls is where you can learn of Broome’s pearling history, see the largest round pearl ever cultivated and buy beautiful, certified pearl jewellery. For a twist on the theme, Moontide Distillery utilises oyster mantle and Australian natives in the recipe for The Pearler’s Gin.
6. Cable Beach Club resort is a celebrity favourite
Right on the edge of Cable Beach, the elegant Cable Beach Club, with its private suites and villas, has attracted the likes of Miranda Kerr, Orlando Bloom, Kendall Jenner and Calvin Klein. Bec Judd is also said to be a regular visitor with her family. Part of McAlpine’s reimagining of Broome, the Asian-inspired resort features horse and dog statues from his private collection.
7. Its brewery, Matso’s, produced Australia’s first alcoholic ginger beer
A brewery with a sense of humour (ask the bartenders what they call their combination of mango and ginger beer, if you’re not easily offended), Matso’s is a fun, arty joint with live music and good pints. Cool down with a tap beer or tasting paddle, or embrace the fire of the ginger beer with chilli.
8. Photographers travel here specially for the lightning
During the wet season (around November to April), Mother Nature can put on quite a show here, with nature photographers lining up to capture the spectacular lightning cracking across the sky, over Cable Beach and Roebuck Bay.
9. You can see real dinosaur footprints
Broome is home to some of the most notable dinosaur footprints ever discovered. Dating back more than 120 million years to the early cretaceous period, the tracks span 80km from the south of Broome up the Dampier Peninsula. Today they can be seen at Gantheaume Point (only at low tide, or replicas can be seen at the top of the cliff), or on the rocky outcrops of Cable Beach, again at low tide.
10. It’s the gateway to Horizontal Falls (Garaanngaddim)
Described as one of the world’s great natural wonders by Sir David Attenborough, this extraordinary site is formed by two adjacent gorges, between which the tides form a waterfall effect that moves sideways. By far the most spectacular way to experience it all is overnight on Jetwave Pearl; a floating houseboat operated by Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures. Departing from Derby, the experience begins with a 30-minute seaplane journey to the falls, where you’re treated to exhilarating speedboat rides, a fishing charter trip, and swimming with tawny sharks, followed by all-inclusive dining and drinking onboard the luxury houseboat.
With special thanks to Candy of Broome & Around tours.
