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
After docking at Broome, passengers wait for a complimentary local bus to the town visitor centre. The same vehicles shuttle continuously in both directions throughout the day.
Airport distance: 8km. The town centre is 5km from the pier.
Broome lies on Roebuck Bay in northwestern Western Australia beside the Indian Ocean. Discovery of rich coastal pearl-oyster beds brought settlement and prosperity during the 1860s. Officially founded in 1883 and named for Sir Frederick Broome, it attracted pearl divers from across Asia until plastics-industry competition caused the trade to decline in the 1950s. Some harvesters remain and cultured pearls are still farmed nearby.
Local tides can reach 10 m (33 ft), exposing broad mudflats and wildlife-rich mangrove swamps. Attractions include the beaches and the seasonal Golden Staircase to the Moon, an optical illusion formed when moonlight reflects from the revealed seabed. At low tide, dinosaur tracks appear on the ocean floor at Gantheaume Point west of town.
Getting around
With a full day, wander around Broome, observe daily life, visit a favourite beach, watch sunset over Cable Beach or ride a camel there.
A Day Pass costs $10 and provides unlimited Pearl Town Bus Service travel on its date of issue, including Staircase to the Moon routes.
Visit the local visitor centre.
Food and shopping
Pearls are available in abundance.
Money
The currency is the Australian dollar.
Staying connected
McDonalds provides free Wi-Fi.
Opening Hours and
Shops and services normally open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and until lunchtime on Saturday. In cities and larger towns, many stay open to 9pm on Thursday or Friday and all day on Saturday. Shopping centres often trade on Sundays too.