From Cable Beach & China town to aerial flights to the horizontal falls
Cable Beach
Cable Beach is a 22km stretch of sand named after the telegraph cable linking Broome to the rest of the world in 1889. It is the most iconic and most-often photographed attraction in the region.
If you care for a swim, the beach is patrolled by surf livesavers during peak season. You can take a drive, go fishing, book a camel ride and even catch a decent wave when the surf is up and there are surf boards and stand-up paddle boards for hire on the beach.
Broome is known for its beautiful sunsets, and for good reason. The long, flat beaches give unhindered views of the sun setting over the Indian Ocean. The Sunset Bar at Cable Beach Resort is a great place to sit back and watch the fiery red orb sink beneath the horizon.
Local Favourites
The local’s best-kept secret is just an hour north of Broome. Hop in a 4WD and explore a spectacular stretch of pristine Kimberley coastline, places like Barred Creek, Quandang Point and James Price Point, where you’ll find the locals camping most weekends. If you don’t have a 4WD, you can discover this special part of Broome with Amazing Kimberley Tours & Charter.
Another great spot to visit is Eco Beach. At just over an hour’s drive south of Broome, a weekend at this spectacular eco wilderness resort will leave you feeling like you’ve been away for weeks. Stay in one of the luxury safari tents or villas, and dine with an ocean view in Jack’s Restaurant. There’s lots to do, from helicopters, fishing, yoga and bushwalking to just relaxing on the beach. Divine!
Dampier Peninsula
‘Ardi’ translates as ‘northeast’ in the traditional Bardi language, and signifies the journey to the Dampier Peninsula that people have travelled for thousands of years. You can travel it too: just head 220km northeast of Broome along the partly unsealed Cape Leveque Road to see this amazing native-title land.
There are six language groups on the peninsula – Jawi, Bardi, Nyulnyul, Jabirrjabirr, Nimanburru and Ngumbarl – each with unique customs. The groups run their own tours, and several have accommodation.
You can do it in one day but it really isn’t enough: book yourself into an eco safari tent at Indigenous resort Kooljaman at Cape Leveque, then jump onto resident Brian Lee’s morning tour. Take in the spectacular scenery and meet some amazing locals while Brian shares his country and unique Aboriginal perspective – you may even catch a fish or mud-crab along the way. Bookings are essential; ask at the visitor centre.
The natural beauty of the peninsula is only matched by the depth of its culture: stop off in Beagle Bay and see the Sacred Heart Church. Its spectacular pearl-shell mosaic altar was built by local Aboriginal people and the Pallotine Monks in 1917. It’s also worth visiting Australia’s oldest operating pearl farm, at Cygnet Bay.
Horizontal Falls
This natural phenomenon – dubbed “one of the greatest natural wonders of the world” by David Attenborough – is located among the thousands of islands of the Buccaneer Archipelago beyond the Dampier Peninsula.
The Horizontal Waterfalls are powered by the huge tidal movements of the Indian Ocean, moving through the gorges of the 1.8 billion-year-old McLarty Range in Talbot Bay. The scope of this landscape of green mountains, bays and islands among bright blue water is simply epic.
You can drive to Derby, hop on a cruise, sail or take a scenic flight with Kimberley Aviation. As well as the falls, you’ll take in the breathtaking islands, experience the amazing force of the standing waves and whirlpools of King Sound near Cygnet Bay, and land at the famous Cape Leveque for breakfast and a swim.