{"id":42443,"date":"2025-10-09T15:00:13","date_gmt":"2025-10-09T04:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/?p=42443"},"modified":"2025-10-09T15:00:15","modified_gmt":"2025-10-09T04:00:15","slug":"broome-wa-surprising-facts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/broome-wa-surprising-facts\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Things You Didn\u2019t Know About Broome, WA"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Thought Broome was another sleepy little seaside town? You might be surprised by its scandalous history and unexpected experiences.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While its striking white sands, aquamarine waters and red earth rightfully command attention, it\u2019s Broome\u2019s fascinating backstory and unique experiences that makes it truly one-of-a-kind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Its iconic camels have been on the beach since the \u201880s<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>, where excited children feed them carrots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. It was mostly developed by Lord McAlpine \u2013 who brought over a zoo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

British politician and property investor Lord McAlpine fell in love with Broome in the late \u201870s and subsequently invested millions into its transformation as a tourism destination. He revived dilapidated buildings, including pearler\u2019s houses and the Sun Pictures theatre, and transported animals from around the world for the (now-defunct) Pearl Coast Zoological Gardens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. It once supplied 80% of the world\u2019s buttons\u2026 but its pearl diving history was deadly<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Broome<\/a>
Broome pearl and shell. Source: Tourism Western Australia.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A famous pearling port, by the 1900s Broome produced most of the world\u2019s 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\u2019s Japanese Cemetery today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. The famous Cable Beach is named after the telegraph line beneath it<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In 1889, as the pearl diving industry boomed, an undersea telegraph cable was laid between Broome and Java \u2013 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\u2019s own Chinatown, where gambling dens, brothels, bars and a cinema provided an outlet from the gruelling pearl diving work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. You can buy world-class pearls and gin made from the oyster shells<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Pearl<\/a>
Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm. Source: Tourism Western Australia.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Broome\u2019s pearling industry may look very different now, but it still produces some of the world\u2019s finest pearls to this day \u2013 and unmissable souvenirs to take home. Cygnet Bay Pearls<\/a> is where you can learn of Broome\u2019s pearling history, see the largest round pearl ever cultivated and buy beautiful, certified pearl jewellery. For a twist on the theme, Moontide Distillery<\/a> utilises oyster mantle and Australian natives in the recipe for The Pearler\u2019s Gin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Cable Beach Club resort is a celebrity favourite<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s reimagining of Broome, the Asian-inspired resort features horse and dog statues from his private collection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Its brewery, Matso\u2019s, produced Australia\u2019s first alcoholic ginger beer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Matso's<\/a>
Matso’s Broome Brewery, Broome. Source: Tourism Western Australia.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A brewery with a sense of humour (ask the bartenders what they call their combination of mango and ginger beer, if you\u2019re not easily offended), Matso\u2019s<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Photographers travel here specially for the lightning<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

9. You can see real dinosaur footprints<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. It\u2019s the gateway to Horizontal Falls (Garaanngaddim)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Horizontal<\/a>
Horizontal Falls, Talbot Bay. Source: Tourism Western Australia.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Described as one of the world\u2019s 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<\/a>. Departing from Derby, the experience begins with a 30-minute seaplane journey to the falls, where you\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With special thanks to Candy of Broome & Around<\/a> tours.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Discover Broome<\/h3>\t\n\t
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