Photos and old film I took of Broome in the 1970's are in
boxes in places such as
Aitutaki.
After a recent photographic assignment for a party in
Broome, I thought I'd show some photos of Cable Beach and
photos of Broome on this webpage along with information
about Broome
Photos of Broome |
Broome
Tours
Broome's sub tropical climate vegetation, geography and Broome's
Cable
beach, one of the best beaches in
the world make for great photography. The sunset photos of Broome like the
one at the top of this page are a photographer's paradise.
Get to Broome by road or plane
from Perth,
Darwin,
Port Hedland or Bali.
There are discount cheap flights to Broome in the wet
season.
Historical Photo of Broome luggers.
The Broome Races is one of the biggest annual events is. The Races is a very popular Broome event and I
recommend advanced Broome accommodation bookings (click on the Hotel Bookings button
above).
Stairway to the Moon event is a popular photographed
event in Broome. Also are festivity photos of Shinju
Matsuri in August Broome's
main event is Shinju Matsuri (Festival of the Pearl). Hotel
and other accommodation in Broome should be booked well in advance so
if you want to enjoy happy times of the festival, it pays to book your
Broome hotel accommodation well in advance.
A
bit on the local weather
Max temp 32.1ºC (av)
Min temp 21.1ºC (av)
Annual rainfall 580 mms (about 24 inches)
How wonderful is that Broome weather? Couldn't
get better could it?
The Wet: Oct - Mar is the monsoon season
with it's spectacular tropical thunderstorms and balmy nights. Warning: Be aware
that some of the remote areas may not be accessible by motor vehicle
and this includes 4-wheel drives because of the rains.
The Dry: Apr - Sept for those seeking the
sun but don't forget your 30+ sunscreen
Population
Broome Township 13,700
Local
Radio Station
ABC 675AM
CRITICAL INFORMATION IF
TRAVELLING INTO REMOTE AREAS FROM BROOME
Check
with the Broome Visitors Centre or the local Police before travelling
into any remote areas. It is vital that you leave your travel details
with Police and when you arrive
safely to let them know of your safe arrival. If you do NOT you could
die (tourist
that die regularly in the Kimberley Outback) or face a very heavy bill
for any unnecessary rescue effort that may be instigated.
Places
of Interest
Pearlers
Row Gallery
The perfect place to see traditional Aboriginal ochre and art works.
They also offer for sale work by local contemporary artists. |
Anastasia's Pool
Located at Gantheaume Point and built of local sandstone by a former
lighthouse keeper to help ease the pain suffered by his arthritic wife. |
Bedford
Park
Overlooking the spectacular Roebuck Bay. The park includes a replica of
the chest that belonged to William Dampier, the discoverer of the area,
the local War Memorial and numerous boab trees. |
The
Shell House
Developed from a private collection of shells from the waters
of the local Kimberley coast. The collection, of over 6.000 shells,
preserved fish and crustacea, is open to the public for
viewing. It also contains a shop that sells souveneirs and Mother of
Pearl items. |
Broome
Historical Society Museum
Well worth a visit and located in the Old Customs House. |
Buccaneers
Rock
Belived to be the location where William Dampier careened his ship The
Roebuck. There is a plaque commemorating the event. |
Anastasia's
Pearl Gallery
The Gallery was established to be the local jewellry shop serving
locals and visitors alike. But not only is there a wide array of pearl
related jewellry but also diamonds (another big Kimberly industry) and
other gemstone jewellry as well.
This business is a family affair and they will do all they can to make
your visit something to remember. |
Broome
Bird Observatory
You will need transport to get to the observatory as it lays 25 kms
east of the town (15 kms of unselaed roads).
The Broome Bird Observatory is recognised as one of the 5 top locations
to observe wader bird in the world. |
Broome
Crocodile Park
Malcolm Douglas established the Crocodile Park in 1984 while a renowned
producer of wildlife documentaries and adventure films. The
park now houses over 4,500 crocodiles. There is also another area which
is used to farm crocodiles for theior meat and skins. Please be aware
that the crocodiles have not been removed from their natural habitats
except where they have posed a danger to humans. |
Captain
Gregory's House
Built in 1917 by Capt Gregory on the corner of Hamersley and Carnarvon
Streets in became his home and, being one of the most successful
businessmen in the local pearling industry, it is a great
example of what the richest people of the day selected as their
suitable to house themselves and their families. |
Cable Beach Camel
Rides
One of the most unique experiences you can have in Broome is to take a
camel ride along Cable Beach.
Each time of the day has its unique quality with an ride in the early
evening probably the best for atmosphere as it offers you an
opportunity to catch those incredible sunsets. |
Courthouse
Markets
These are the largest art and craft markets in the Kimberleys.
Held every Saturday morning on the corner of Frederick and
Hamersley Streets between 8am - 1pm.
Massive array of arts and craft plus food and music - wonderful
atmosphere. |
Chinatown
A reminder of what this town used to be. in it's early heydays. It was
here that the commercial and industrial ccntre of the town
evolved with all its pearl sheds, saloons, entertainment houses and
Chinese food halls. |
Courthouse
The old Courthouse is built in distinctive 'Broome style' with which
you will become very familiar with if you hang around Broome for a
while.
The Court House was the original Cable House (that managed the
telephone cable) after which Cable Beach is named. |
Chinatown
Markets
Normally on Sundays between 8am and 1pm in Johnny Chi Lane (seasonal).
Large selection of local art and crafts. |
Sinju
Matsuri
The 'Festival of the Pearl' is held in Aug/Sept each year and celbrates
the pearl harvest, the local Broome pearling industry and the town's
multi-cultural heritage. |
Cable Beach
The Beach is named after the telephone cable that was first
laid to connect Australia with Indonesia. The beach lays 6 kms
 from the centre of Broome
township. Cable Beach is one of the top 5 beaches in the world and
streches for 22 kms with beautiful white sand and deep
blue Indian Ocean waters. It is a safe bean on which to swim
and there is a wide selection of beach activities you can enjoy.
Caution: Nov - Apr there can be box
jellyfish and stingers in the water. |
Gibb
River Road Bus Services
This is a transport service between Kununurra and Derby 6 days a week.
It will give you the opportunity to explore the Gibbs River Road. The
Gibbs River Express is a luxury 4x4 air-conditioned bus that thravels
the 700kms from Derby to Kununurra in 11 ½ hrs and offers
access to all destinations along the route such as the gorges, cattle
stations and holiday destinations.
If you're into bird watching, hiking, camping, wanting to see the
incredible Kimberly gorges or want to experience life on a typical
Aussie cattle station then this is the way to do it. Make your choices,
stay where and when you want with a multi-stopover ticket. Runs May -
Sept only. |
Dinosaur
Footprints
You can find footprints left behind by dinosaurs millions of years ago.
Only visible duringa very low tide (1.5metres or lower). If the tides
are too high you can always check out the casts that have been made
that sit at the top of the cliffs.
If you do get the chance to walk out and check the footprints please
ensure you take care of the reef environment as it is very fragile and
also wear think soled shoes as stonefish are known to live on the
reef.
|
Horizontal
Falls Adventure Tours
There is only one way to really capture the grandeur of the Kimberley
and that is from the air. Once you step aboard this turbo-prop seaplane
you know you will experience something you will
never forget.
Enjoy a relaxed flight to Talbot Bay where you will transfer to the
vessel 'Rare Breed' to experience 'Horizontal Falls', described by
David Attenborough as "one of the greatest wonders of the World" and
experience the unbelievable tidal powers that can be found in the
Kimberleys. You will be taken straight through the falls (tidal
conditions permitting) - this you won't forget.
|
Flying Boat Wrecks
The remains of these flying
boats can be found about 1 km offshore from Town Beach and are only
visible at very low tides (be aware of the need for thick soled shoes.
See warning immediately above). The flying boats were ferrying
civilians from Indonesia during the
early invasion of Indonesia by the Japanese when they were pounced upon
as they landed in the waters near Broome. A number of people were
killed and boats sunk. What you can see are the remnants of these
flying boats that were sunk by the Japanese attack. |
Chinatown
Natural Healing Centre
If you need to relax or feel the need to refresh yourslef after a long
and dusty trip then the Chinatown Natural Healing Centre is just what
you need.
Massage, aromatherapy, reflexology, naturaphy or homeopthy - there are
all available here.
There is also a wide array of related items on sale such as books,
tapes, incense, cards, oils and essences. |
Chinese
Cemetry
Located on Port Drive you will find this one-of-a-kind cemetry. It is
here that the early Chinese settlers (many pearl divers who died doing
their job) can be found.
A camera is a must for this visit. |
Deep
Water Point
If you arrive by boat you will probably anchor here as it is the anchor
point for all visiting vessels.
Here you will find the Broome jetty (great for fishing off) and a small
sheltered beach for swimming (safe for children) and picnics. There are
also restaurant and kiosk facilities. |
Willie
Creek Pearl Farm
Want to find out all you ccan about pearl farming as it is practised
today? Wille Creek Pearl Farm is where you need to go.
At the farm (38kms north of Broome) you will understand how Broome
develops the world's best cultured pearls. You will see the intricate
art of seeding the shells so that they produce those wonderful round
translucent gems of the sea. Discover the different types of pearl
shells and get aboard the 'Willie Wanderer' to get to see the pearl
shell beds in the creek. |
Mamabulanjin
Aboriginal Tours
The local indigenous people have a rich and diverse background.
Mamabulanjin Tours offers visitors to Broome a wide range of
indeigenous experiences including escorted bush walks, spear
and boomerang throwing and local stories of The Dreamtime (or The Dreaming as
it
is sometimes called)
The tours can offer you an insight into the traditions, history and
contemporary lifestlyes of the Broome Aborigines. |
Staircase
to the Moon
One of the most beautiful natural sights in Broome and seen across
Roebuck Bay during a full moon, is the Staircase to the Moon.
The
illusion of a staircase reaching up to the moon is caused by the moons
reflection on the wet mud flats - a tedious explanation for a wonderful
sight. |
Gecko
Gallery
Located in the heart of Chinatown the gallery is Broome's best gallery
for local Aboriginal fine art. These art works are for sale and the
gallery is also an outlet for drawing and painting supplys if you need
them to capture, in your own way, your visions of this land. |
A Bit of
Broome History
The
local
indigenous people, the Yawuru,
have lived in the area for many hundreds
(some say thousands) of years. There is also evidence that people
sailed all the way from Malaya and Indonesia in search of turtles, dugong
and pearls.
|
|
| Dugong
feeding just off Broome |
William
Dampier was the first European to
visit
the area in 1688 and Roebuck Bay was named after his ship the HMS
Roebuck. But it wasn't until almost 200 years later that the town was
officially recognised and named after the then Governor of the State,
Sir Frederick Napier Broome.
It was the discovery of the world's
largest pearl oyster (Pinctada maxima
- producer of the White South Sea and Golden South Sea Pearls) that saw
the beginings of the industry that has, over the years, made Broome
famous - pearling!
In the 1910's Broome producted over 80% of
the
world's Mother of Pearl shell used in the production of a
wide array of
decorative items from buttons, furniture and jewellry. It was in 1913
that the local pearling fleet (examples of which can still be
seen in Broome) reached it's peak of over 400 vessels.
The industry was very profitable for the
ships
Captains but the divers
faced real dangers from sharks, sea snakes (the
most venemous in the world), cyclones (submerged divers were cut adrift
if one appeared over the horizon to allow the vessel to run for
safety), drowning when equipment broke or was faulty and the 'bends'
(an agonising death).
The invention of the plastic button in the
1950's saw the rapid
decline of the Mother of Pearl industry. However,
in the late 50's the industry started a recovery as the cultured
pearling industry took off. By the 70's Broome could again boast that
it was the centre of the world's pearling industry meeting over 70% of
the world's demand.
In the 80's another industry started to impact upon Broome and this
time it was people - tourists in fact. These days Broome hosts over
100,000 tourists a year and the numbers continue to rise
as new resorts
are built and older hotels refurbished. The real changes started when
the road between Port Hedland and Broome was finally sealed allowing
people to drive all the way in relative safety and comfort.
Broomes Cable Beach is
one of the most famous beaches in the world and the pindan
cliffs (soils this time rather than the vegetation. See above), stark
white sands and clear bblue waters of the Indian Ocean are part of this
exotic towns appeal. Chinatown boasts an unusual style all of it's own
which is a blend of Australian Colonial/Asian developed in the early
days of the settlement and still surviving today.
Broome is also a haven for those of us who live the sport of fishing. There is
either the massively long jetty (watch the local kids catch fish you
would kill to catch yourself with only a line, hook and a birds feather
as a lure), or in one of the many tidal creeks. But be aware that local
King
Tides can be dangerous and it is strongly advised to
obtain a tide chart from the Broome Visitors Centre.
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