Making the most of Broome
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
When the ship docks at Broome you will have to wait for a local bus (free) to pick you up and transfer you to the visitors center in town, the same buses ferry people back and forth all day.
Distance to airport 8km, distance from pier to town center 5km.
Broome is located in the northwest of Western Australia, on the northern side of Roebuck Bay, on the Indian Ocean. A small port, Broome was settled and rose to prosperity with the discovery of rich coastal pearl oyster beds in the 1860s. The town was officially founded in 1883 and was named after Sir Frederick Broome. It became a magnet for pearl-divers from across Asia, until pearling declined in the 1950s in the face of stiff competition from the plastics industry. Some pearl harvesters remain, and cultured pearls are farmed nearby.
The tidal range in the area can be up to 10 m (33 ft), which means the town overlooks large mud flats and mangrove swamps rich in wildlife. Visitors are attracted by the town's beaches and the "Golden Staircase to the Moon", a seasonal optical illusion caused by moonlight reflecting off the exposed ocean floor. During low tide, dinosaur footprints can be seen in the ocean bed at Gantheaume Point, west of the town.
Getting around
With a full day in Broome, you could wander around town, observing the locals, go to a favorite beach, then watch the sun go down over Cable Beach or ride a camel on Cable Beach.
The Day Pass ticket ($10) entitles the holder to unlimited travel with Pearl Town Bus Service on the day of issue only, including 'Staircase to the Moon' services.
Visitors center
Food and shopping
Lots of Pearls!
Money
Australian Dollar
Staying connected
McDonalds has free WiFi.
Opening Hours and
Shops and services are generally open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and until lunchtime on Saturday. In cities and larger towns, many shops stay open late on Thursday or Friday evening - usually until 9pm - and all day on Saturday. Shopping malls are often open on Sundays as well.