Like many of us in Western Australia, Broome had been overlooked for the last decade. Long drives or super-expensive flights ($600 one way??) had scratched it off our travel list, but when the borders closed for COVID everything changed. Tourism interest in the Kimberley region spiked within months, and with more volume came cheaper flights (sale fares from $200 one way). So in a bid to head as far north as possible to escape the winter, off we went!
What did we find once there?
Signs of a once-sleepy town built around the Pearling industry, which had been welcoming tourists for a few decades now but is seeing an unheard of tourism boom! Stepping off the plane into a ‘one runway’ airport makes it obvious you’re a long way from Perth, but it’s only a few minutes’ drive to the main Cable Beach resort area and a huge variety of accommodation.
Being first timers we went for the largest and most famous of the resorts – Cable Beach Club. It’s also the only one with direct beach access (most were not a long walk, but 5+ mins along hot sidewalks in bathers isn’t tons of fun!), and has plenty of onsite dining and atmosphere galore.
So how did we find the resort? We were so impressed as soon as we checked in, that we extended our 3-night stay to 5-night! As soon as you step onto the property you get a sense of luxury that doesn’t exist in most of WA, and the gardens, pools and cafes throughout made us feel like we were in Southeast Asia or somewhere else far abroad.
One beach to rule them all
Most people have heard of Cable Beach – it has been popping up in ‘world’s best beaches’ lists forever, but we weren’t sure how it’d compare to the many beaches back home in Perth. So we grabbed beach towels and walked down to see our first sunset (which we quickly found is an event in itself!), and can safely say this is a destination in itself.
Broome’s tides, some of the world’s largest, make Cable Beach seem endless at low-tide. The sand itself is firm and smooth, and the water seems about twice the temperature of Perth! We loved it here so much that we’d visit every day, including at night-time when the weather is often still above 20 degrees.
The camel rides at sunset are Broome’s most touristy offer, but even if you pass on the ride itself there’s something magical about sipping cocktails at the bar while watching camels stroll past.
Fine dining in the Kimberley
We’d heard from friends that Broome was developing a bit of a foodie scene, and they weren’t wrong. All the restaurants within Cable Beach Club itself (a modern steakhouse, thai fusion, classic italian) were exceptional and had a great mood, and even Broome town itself was bustling with trendy restaurants.
The Aarli (a gorgeous thai fusion place in heart of town) was our favourite, but book ahead as it gets super popular! We also ate at the Matsos Brewery, which opened over 20 years with their ginger beers now stocked everywhere in Perth. You can order a tasting paddle of all their beers – the chilli/mango blend was fun (even if mostly for the novelty factor).
Outside of Cable Beach Club itself, our favourite breakfast/brunch place was Dragonfly Cafe, in Broome town centre. A great gluten free menu and healthy options.
Other Broome highlights
Friends had told us “don’t bother with Broome – tiny town with not much to see”. But after visiting we think they’re mad, because we found plenty to do over 5 days and enough to fill up a return trip. Some of our favourite experiences included:
- Horizontal Falls Tour: A bucket-list seaplane and jetboat tour that takes you from Broome to visit one of the big natural wonders of WA
- Astro Tours: Astronomy under the clear Broome sky
- Willie Creek Pearl Farm: A tour of one of the oldest pearl farms in the region, giving us new respect for what a crazy process creating freshwater pearls is
- Cocktails at Mangrove Hotel: This place has an amazing view over Roebuck Bay (east coast of Broome), perfect for drinks as the sun fades
