For most people travelling across Australia, by the time you arrive in Broome in Western Australia, you have most likely spent alot of your budget to get to the remote destination in Australia’s north west.
It does cost a lot to get to Broome, but it is well worth it. The historic and interesting town is set beside the stunning Cable Beach on the Indian Ocean. The stunning views on Cable Beach are iconic alone, not to mention the diverse town, camel rides, and history, including some of the oldest dinosaur footprints in the world!
Broome is a stunning must-see part of Australia. If you combine some budget ideas with some more expensive options, you can travel to Broome on a budget and have an incredible trip.
There are plenty of expensive things to do in Broome, like stay in a luxury resort, take a camel ride or a scenic helicopter view of cable beach and beyond.
Here are 5 incredible things to do in Broome, which won’t cause you to break out in a sweat (leave that to the weather). I have included these low budget options below to balance out your travel budget.
Cable Beach Club Resort and Spa
Even if you’re not staying at the fancy Cable Beach resort, the beach-view-bar welcome people in for a snack and drink to watch the sunset at this iconic spot.
Take in the scenery of wealthy tourists, sporty locals and the line of camel rides Broome has to offer, as they are led up from the sand after a long day at the beach. As the sun drops into a deep red sky, this experience is not to be missed.
Cape Leveque Day Trip
Cape Leveque
It’s common to visit Cape Leveque (currently accessible only by 4WD along a dirt road) for 2-3 days, and stay over in the spectacular location in beach side huts.
Cape Leveque feels incredibly remote for somewhere known to travellers as an epic place to visit. Staying in the area for a few days is recommended to really relax and experience the area to its fullest. This is one of the places dinosaur footprints have been found, which historians say are some of the oldest on the planet.
Alternatively, there is also a quicker and cheaper one-day tour with a local company called Kimberley Wild. This is a fantastic day tour is often led by a down to earth local tour guide. He has lived in Broome for 20 years and has heaps of knowledge, and is willing to answer plenty of questions.
For more detail and prices on the Kimberley Wild day trip, see here.
Visit Beagle Bay Church
On your way to or from Cape Leveque, you must stop at the iconic Beagle Bay church, situated on the gorgeous Dampier Peninsula. The small ‘Sacred Heart’ chapel, often known as the Mother of Pearl chapel, is tucked away at Beagle Bay. Don’t be fooled by the plain outer aspect of this German-inspired chapel; it conceals the awe-inspiring Mother of Pearl altar, which was handcrafted by local Aboriginal women in 1917.
The altar is made up of hundreds of mother of pearl, cowrie, volute, and olive snail shells, forming a one-of-a-kind mosaic that includes tribal motifs from the Nyul Nyul, Nimanborr, and Bardi peoples.
In 2018, the Sacred Heart Church celebrated its centenary, providing an opportunity to reflect on the community’s rich history of indigenous heritage, local culture, and the pearling industry. Only accessible by four-wheel drive, this is a one-of-a-kind spot to put to your bucket list.
Aboriginal cultures in Australia were among the first to respect the power and beauty of pearl shell, harvesting and selling around the region for thousands of years. In the middle of a well run indigenous community, this church was built by hand and has featured in many Australian films. The simplicity and history of the area is refreshing to any seasoned traveller.
Shimmering Beach Walk
Gaze out at the Indian Ocean and watch the Broome tides while wandering along the quieter side of Cable Beach, (away from the beach chairs and towards where the FWD’s park when the tide is out).
Early morning presents a stunningly shimmering shore with millions of shells adding to the magic of this spectacular and uncrowded beach stroll.
Broome Night Market
The town centre of Broome has a mixed atmosphere, and while I wouldn’t walk alone at night, a visit by bus or car to the night market is well worth the time, presenting live music and local artists selling their own creations.
Next door to the markets is the impressive Staircase to the Moon Broome, where the moonlight over the water gives the illusion of a ‘staircase to the moon’. An impressive sight worth visiting.
Staircase to the moon, Broome
Broome History
Broome, Western Australia has an interesting and unique history. Once considered the main Pearling Port in the world, the area still carries with it an idiosyncratic atmosphere.
Before Europeans arrived, First Nations people lived in Broome and the Kimberley region for at least thirty thousand years. During this time, there was substantial trading among the language groups of the Dampier Peninsula, which also included local island groups. Trade routes existed between east and west Kimberley, known as ‘winan’. Family groups moved around in a semi-nomadic manner. Aboriginal people followed rigors beliefs that had a close relationship to the land.
International travellers mainly from Asia began arriving in Broome in the late 1800’s, seeking fortune from the Pearling industry, which although has changed in some ways, still continues today.
The diverse and multi cultural nature of Broome mixes all of these nationalities and backgrounds together, making an interesting place for people watching!
Conclusion
Broome is an incredible place to visit, for the stunning scenery, diversity and history. It is expensive to travel to Broome, but it is worth every penny to see this beautiful and interesting part of the world. If you are travelling to Broome on a budget the list above will help balance your daily spending.