Broome and the Kimberley

Broome and around: Where NOT to go

Broome Insider

Camels at sunset (Photo: AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

Camels at sunset Cable Beach (Photo: AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

"If you want the sunset, but don’t want to sit on a camel for an hour, drive your car down to Gantheaume Point and watch it set from there."

Vanessa Hayden

Broome Insider

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Broome Australia Western Australia

Don't waste your time when you're on holiday in Broome. Find out the over-hyped spots to avoid (and where to go instead).

Anti-climax

One of the most visually stunning parts of Broome is Gantheaume Point. The contrast of the red rock and azure ocean is eye opening. Located here is Anastasia's Pool. Don't get too excited and think it's something spectacular as it often disappoints. Its history is intriguing, but visually it's just a small pool carved into some rock — anti-climax! Instead take in Gantheaume Point for its colours and then continue around to Riddell Beach and stop at one of the small car parks. A walk down the beach from here is magical and memorable.

Pricey eats

There's a pretty good choice of restaurants in Broome to experience excellent local fare. And if you're a fish and chip fan you'll likely stop by The Wharf Restaurant at the Port of Broome. The tucker's great, but be ready for a gourmet price tag. The Bluewater Café in Chinatown offers better value for money and you can buy local seafood to cook yourself if you've got access to a kitchen.

At the Cable Beach Club there are lots of great options for dining. The Sunset Bar is a favorite with visitors and locals. Be wary of the price of drinks though and don’t get caught out! If you think calling in for a snack and a bottle of champagne will meet your budget requirements look out — the cheapest bottle of champagne is around $45 and a very average drop at that.

Camels

Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing better than a Cable Beach Sunset, and the camels have become iconic with the town of Broome, but after about 10 minutes you’ve pretty well seen it! If you want the sunset, but don’t want to sit on a camel for an hour, drive your car down to Gantheaume Point and watch it set from there. 4WD is recommended to access the beach but depending on recent tides and sand conditions you can often get a normal conventional vehicle on to the beach. If you really want camels, just walk down to the beach “north of the rocks”, take a photo of the furry beasts as they set off and then sit and enjoy the sunset without the smell!

Pearls

Make sure you shop around if you are looking at buying pearls. There are at least 10 major retailers in the very small block of ‘Chinatown’ from the mighty Paspaley Pearls (with price tags to match) to the much more consumer friendly Willie Creek Pearls (who literally have something for everyone). Don’t be intimidated, ask questions of the sales people and make sure they know what they are talking about. Broome is also a transient town and there are always adverts in the local paper for jewellery showroom consultants so make sure you find someone who has the knowledge and background to set you in the right direction! Perhaps think about doing a pearl farm tour first, this will give you a good grounding for searching for the perfect piece.

Sunday Markets

For the last few years Broome has been trying to get a second market going on Sundays as the popular Saturday market was at full capacity for stall holders. The Sunday market has gained momentum and in the peak season of July and August is almost a match for the Saturday market. However, if you want to be sure and you are travelling to Broome outside of the busiest months, go for the Saturday morning and get there before 12pm.

Got any more places to avoid? Have your say using the comments form below.

Next: Near the beaten track

User comments

After a weeks holiday to Broome , I can say that the place is certainly on the top of my "must re-visit " locations. The beach ,the scenery the relaxed atmosphere , the exciting fishing and the top rating accomodation available makes Broome an ideal holiday location. For the keen fisherperson , dont waste your time with small hooks or a line of less than 80kg , the fish here are huge , hungry and small gear does not stand a chance. This place is a must for the keen photographer .The ocean , sand and rock formations will produce excellent portraits. For the honeymooners and lovers , look no further than this place , and those who enjoy the Au Naturale this place is just for you. Now, did I tell you whre not to go ? I probaly didn't because I found the place to be a real "Pearl" of a place.

Having worked in the Kimberley for a number of years in diamond exploration I can definitely recommend a few places to miss. The first would have to be Wyndham - I don't think I have ever gone through a more run down, sour feeling, dying town than that one. The only thing to rival it would be Winton in Western Queensland, but Winton is better, which is sure saying something. Lastly Kalumburu is a good spot, especially down Honey Moon Bay way, but there was one camp ground down that way (McGowan Island Camp Ground from memory) to be sure to avoid.

When looking for pearls in Broome, avoid all the high name places, all of them ignore you unless you look like they think you should wear their pearls, instead head to Willie Creek Pearls, either in town at their shop or out at the actual farm. I had money saved up burning a hole in my pocket to buy something special to remember my time there, I was ignored, looked up and down and told I "oh you are just happy to browse" when I wasn't and when I enquired why none of them had a price on anything was told "oh we wouldn't ruin the estethitics of our pearls by putting a price on them"! Wandered into Willie Creek and they happily had something I had seen moved from the farm to town for me to try on, it was just as I remembered it, lovely, so spent my 5 grand there and wear it regularly and it was the first pearl that caught my eye when I was looking.

Our lovely experience of Broome was tarnished by finding our credit card had been ripped off by Europcar on our return to the UK despite having the vehicle checked over by staff on its return and told it was fine. When we complained bitterly Europcar sent us a photo of the alleged damaged tyre but they forgot to remove the digital file of the photo which showed the photo had been taken eight months prior to our rental. They still have our money, deny the fraudulent photo and despite us contacting the Dept of Consumer Protection, Europcar refused mediation. So if you are thinking of hiring a car in Broome, think twice and more because you too can get ripped off like us!

As a former Broome local I cannot warn potential visitors emphatically enough to avoid The Last Resort backpackers at all costs. Unless you are looking for a seedy-drug-den type Broome experience, that is. What began as a fun, low budget establishment has now become just plain low-budget and generally houses long-term unemployed or drug-addled semi-locals and could completely ruin one's Kimberley experience.

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