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This coastal gem was Ask AT’s most searched town in 2025

Editor Editor
Our audience can’t get enough of this Northern WA town’s splendid coastline.

Australia is home to a diverse range of charming towns. From chilled-out Noosa to quaint Orange, we’re spoilt for choice as to where to explore next. But one town intrigued our audience the most and was the most searched town in 2025: Broome. 

There’s no denying that Broome is one of the most stunning locations in Australia. This WA town, on the traditional lands of the Yawuru people, is rich in ancient Indigenous culture. It’s also right on the edge of the Kimberley, providing access for travellers to see one of Australia’s most dramatic regions.

Out of the thousands of queries made by our audience on Ask AT in 2025, Broome came out on top as the most asked about town, followed by Byron Bay, then Noosa, Margaret River and Yamba. Here’s why…

Things to do in Broome

Staircase to the Moon, Cable Beach, Broome
Catch the Staircase to the Moon phenomenon at Cable Beach. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

With turquoise water, long stretches of beach and award-winning restaurants, there’s no shortage of fabulous things to do in this remote, tropical location. The best time to visit is during the Dry Season (May to October) when there’s perfect beach weather – sunny days and low humidity. 

One of the most iconic things to do in Broome is catch the Staircase to the Moon. During full moon nights from March to October/November, make your way to Roebuck Bay, where the exposed mudflats reflect the moon, creating a spectacular optical illusion of stairs stretching from the water to the moon. 

Broome also has a rich pearling history and you can hop on immersive tours with Willie Creek Pearl Farm and Pearl Luggers Tours to watch live pearl harvests and taste pearl meat.

Azure water meets red sand at Roebuck Bay, Broome.
Azure water meets red sand at Roebuck Bay. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

History buffs, dinosaur enthusiasts and kids alike will get a kick out of Broome’s coastline, which is a fossil playground. Hunt for dinosaur footprints along Gantheaume Point and up to James Price Point on the Dampier Peninsula. 

Those hoping to learn about the region should join a tour with Mabu Buru Tours. From coastal foraging and bush tucker tours to cultural story time at Cable Beach, these experiences offer an immersive way for visitors to gain a deeper understanding of the Traditional Owners’ connection to Country and the history of the land.

And if you’re a gin aficionado, a visit to Moontide Distillery to sample their drops infused with native Australian ingredients is a must.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

Where to stay in Broome

Aerial shot of Eco Beach Resort Broome
Eco Beach Resort Broome offers luxe safari tents by the ocean.

It might be remote, but Broome has some wonderful accommodation options for all types of travellers. For a more elevated stay, turn your attention to Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa, an award-winning beachfront resort; Eco Beach Resort Broome, where you can stay in luxe safari tents next to the ocean; and The Pearle of Cable Beach, which offers self-contained luxury villas surrounded by lush tropical grounds. 

For a more low-key stay, Discovery Parks Broome has cabins right in front of the water without the hefty price tag.

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Exploring an icon: inside the massive upgrade to Broome’s famous Cable Beach

(Credit: Tourism WA)

    Lucy Cousins Lucy Cousins
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    With unhurried mornings, long, sun-filled afternoons, evenings shaped around sunset, this iconic beach offers an all-day experience (and it’s about to get even better).

    As the sun slowly rises over the languid waves and fine sand of Broome’s Cable Beach, the morning colours shift from rich apricot to pale gold and frosty pearl. Remnants of life reveal themselves in the subtle shadows – crab claw marks, towel impressions, footprints. Life here is unhurried, but don’t be fooled. This town is continually shifting like the desert dunes that surround it.

    And with a $75 million upgrade – offering easier and more inclusive access for people of all abilities – it’s getting even better.

    Cable Beach upgrade foreshore redevelopment stage 1
    Discover the Cable Beach redevelopment.

    The addition of comfortable and welcoming spaces has begun (and will continue). This means visitors will be able to spend longer enjoying this beautiful environment, while knowing that the upgrade will create a more environmentally protected setting that preserves the natural character visitors come for. Come sunset, soak it in all the better thanks to the already improved foreshore areas, made for lingering while the light changes. And for the kids, a new splash park and accessible dry playground will make it easy to while away the hours.

    Think you know what a day at this beach is like? Think again.

    Morning colours

    car on cable beach at sunrise
    Cable Beach comes alive after sunrise. (Credit: Tourism WA)

    As the sun colours the sky, Cable Beach shows signs of life (and not just the aquatic kind). Locals and visitors alike float in the cool water as it laps the shore, landlubbers explore the coast on foot, runners pace and beachside yoga classes bring quiet movement to the day.

    When the sky is blue and the sun is firmly in position, head down to the well-known Cable Beach House for a long, slow breakfast overlooking the ocean. Think fresh tropical fruit, eggs cooked your way and strong coffee in the warm morning breeze.

    Afternoon adventures

    camel train on cable beach in broome at sunset
    Join a camel train at sunset. (Credit: C J Maddock)

    When you’re ready to explore, carve a path along the Minyirr Park Trail – a gentle 1.5-2km track through coastal bushland with spectacular views of the dunes. Refuel at the nearby Spinifex Brewery for lunch with its low-key, outdoor beer garden. There’s even an outdoor playground if you’re travelling with young humans.

    Walk off your lazy lunch by watching (or joining) one of the beach soccer or volleyball games, or even try Silent Beats Broome – a silent walking disco through the dunes. Or book a spot on the famous camel trains, watching the sun drop below the horizon along the way. They’re a constant reminder of the fascinating history, landscape and cultural mix in this part of the country.

    Evening degustation

    server at Cable Beach Club
    Stop into the Cable Beach Club. (Credit: Tourism WA)

    As the day closes, watch the world-famous Cable Beach sunset from the appropriately named Sunset Grill at Cable Beach Club. This open-air terraced dining spot overlooking the beach is the kind of place where the view takes centre stage.

    While you sip on a lychee, lime & lemonade mocktail or a local beer, enjoy the bustle of life and nature outside as the day comes to an end.

    For dinner, nab a table at the Bali Hai Cafe, where they offer pan-fried crispy barramundi, Abrolhos Island scallops and deep-sea snow crab. When you’re ready for bed, check in to Pinctada Hotel Broome – a lush, tropical resort with palm-dotted gardens and a large, lagoon-style pool to cool off in.

    Beyond the beach

    Beyond the wide, open beach and never-ending sky of Cable Beach, there are many more reasons to visit North West Australia. These are just a few.

    Unmatched experiences

    Shinju Matsuri Festival's popular Long Table Dinner on cable beach
    Join Shinju Matsuri Festival’s popular Long Table Dinner. (Credit: Tourism WA)

    Engage with the history of the land and its people on an Indigenous cultural tour exploring everything from the local wildlife to the tastes of bush tucker. To understand the importance of pearling to this town, take a tour of Chinatown, or head outside of town to the live pearl harvests at Willie Creek or Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, one of Australia’s oldest pearl farms.

    Learn why Japanese pearlers were central to Broome’s pearling success and visit the largest Japanese cemetery in Australia, where 900 Japanese pearlers were buried – a testament to the risks and rewards of this dangerous profession.

    And book ahead every spring for when communal tables, freshly cooked local fare and festoon lighting fill the beach for the extremely popular Long Table Dinner on Cable Beach. It’s a highlight of the Shinju Matsuri Festival, along with the Floating Lanterns Matsuri, where you can personalise a lantern and gently release it into the sea to honour those you love.

    Dining discoveries

    Matso’s Broome Brewery
    Settle in for Matso’s famous ginger or mango beer. (Credit: Tourism WA)

    Further your culinary adventure at the laid-back Sunday Sesh at Matso’s Broome Brewery. Chow down on smoked crocodile or Aussie barramundi while kicking back to a local DJ as the heat of the day fades.

    For more tunes, the beautiful outdoor Bay Club at the Mangrove Hotel is a great choice for dinner with live music, DJs or an event that stretches on into the early hours. Still hungry? Pop by Johnny Sausage for Italian-influenced meals paired with impeccable wines.

    Natural beauties

    Gantheaume Point cabnle beach broome
    Experience the striking colours of Gantheaume Point. (Credit: Tourism WA)

    Avoid the crowds and head to Town Beach for a quieter vantage point to see the phenomenal Staircase to the Moon – a natural illusion where the rising full moon is reflected on the tidal flats, creating a shimmering ‘staircase’ stretching up to the sky.

    Just south of Cable Beach are the deep red cliffs and dramatic ocean views of Gantheaume Point, where 130-million-year-old dinosaur footprints can be seen, revealed at low tide. Or head to Roebuck Bay to visit the internationally significant wetlands, where vast tidal flats are home to shorebirds and coastal fauna.

    Between October and March, watch turtles nesting and hatchlings emerge from the sand. You’ll be holding your breath as they make their way down to the shoreline, ready to start their life in one of Australia’s most beautiful landscapes.

    For more on Cable Beach and Australia’s North West, visit australiasnorthwest.com.