24 of the best things to do in Broome

Experience the absolute best things to do in Broome with this guide to essential tours, experiences, culture, eats, drinks and more.

Proudly positioned on the edge of Western Australia, Broome is one of those places that rewards the journey. A true original, it blends striking natural beauty with a laid-back charm that’s hard to replicate. From cinemas under the stars to creative accommodation experiences that offer outdoor bathtubs and electric bikes for exploring, Broome doesn’t just welcome travellers – it tempts them to linger.

Whether you’re lured by beaches, rust red and aqua vistas or art connected to Kimberley country, Broome has a way of drawing you in.

1. Catch the Staircase to the Moon

the Staircase to the Moon over Roebuck Bay’s exposed mudflats

The full moon rising over Roebuck Bay’s tidal flats creates an illusion of a staircase to the moon. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Get your camera ready. When the full moon rises over Roebuck Bay’s exposed mudflats, its reflection creates a surreal optical illusion – shimmering ‘stairs’ that seem to lead straight to the moon.

This natural spectacle appears for three nights each month from March to October. For prime viewing, head to the Staircase Markets at Town Beach or sip a mango daiquiri at the dreamy Mangrove Hotel.

2. Visit Matso’s Brewery

a table-top view of food and drinks at Matso’s Brewery, Broome

Matso’s Brewery offers a great selection of tap beers and share plates. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Is there anything more refreshing than an ice-cold beer in the tropics? The newly renovated Matso’s Brewery delivers award-winning brews and flavour-packed plates, all with front-row views of Roebuck Bay.

Swing by after a swim at Cable Beach to sample their mango, chilli, and ginger beers – and get a taste of the story behind Australia’s most remote brewery.

3. Find dinosaur prints

dinosaur foot prints on Reddell Beach, Broome

Catch dino footprints on Reddell Beach. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Dinosaur junkies, take note – Broome’s coastline is a fossil playground. Along Gantheaume Point and up to James Price Point on the Dampier Peninsula, you’ll find tracks from as many as seven different Cretaceous species, including sauropods, ornithopods and even stegosaurus.

Catch these ancient footprints at low tide around Gantheaume Point, Cable Beach and Reddell Beach. For a closer look, hop on a Broome Adventure Cruises tour – their shallow-landing vessel lets you step straight onto the beach and into prehistory.

4. Take a Pearl Luggers Tour

pearl meat on a Pearl Luggers Tour, Broome

Get a taste of pearl meat on a Pearl Luggers Tour.

Broome’s wild past is steeped in tales of luggers, pearl divers – both willing and forced – and the pearl masters who shaped the town’s fortunes.

Dive into this rich legacy on a Pearl Luggers Tour in the heart of Chinatown, where a fully restored lugger sets the scene. The 1.5-hour tour includes a taste of pearl meat – a local delicacy that sells for around $200 per kilo.

5. Enjoy a flick at Sun Pictures

a woman standing outside Sun Pictures, Broome

Visit Sun Pictures to catch your favourite blockbuster. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

The sun dropping beneath the horizon, the popcorn flowing, your favourite blockbuster about to start – let’s face it, what could be more perfect?

Catching a flick at Sun Pictures (which screened its first movie in 1916) is an experience not easily forgotten. Don’t miss the old projectors in the foyer, the tin roof and the Hollywood sign.

6. Hire a sun lounge at the Beach Hut

Looking for the most relaxing way to enjoy one of Australia’s most stunning beaches? Rock up in your togs and sink into an Italian-made flatbed sun lounge beneath a shady umbrella at the Beach Hut. Feeling a bit more energetic? Hire a SUP board, surfboard or even beach toys for the kids.

7. Stretch at the Buddha Sanctuary

a yoga session at the Buddha Sanctuary, Broome

The Buddha Sanctuary offers daily yoga for relaxation. (Image: Supplied)

If you’re not relaxed enough already from your day at Cable Beach, let your mind and body be completely at ease at the nearby Buddha Sanctuary.

Home to a three-metre-tall crystal statue, this welcoming haven offers yoga classes, meditation gatherings and energy healing workshops. If you’re not feeling up to a class or workshop, you can simply visit for some quiet time.

8. Peruse the Broome Museum

From pearling history and wartime bombings to the town’s legendary telephone exchange ladies, the Broome Museum is packed with fascinating artefacts, photos and stories.

It’s housed in two of Broome’s oldest buildings – the former Customs House and Sailmaker’s Shed – and run by volunteers. Entry is free for kids under 16, making it a no-brainer for families keen to dig into Broome’s rich (and sometimes wild) past.

9. Join a Willie Creek Pearl Farm Tour

Join a pearling master class at the Willie Creek Pearl Farm. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Day tours at Willie Creek offer a fascinating look at modern pearl farming – from shell to showroom. The highlight? A serene boat ride along Willie Creek, where live oysters hang suspended in the turquoise water, quietly doing their thing.

Back on dry land, there’s freshly baked damper to sample and a pearl masterclass to attend – expect to leave with surprising knowledge about oyster spawning and a newfound appreciation for the craftsmanship behind every pearl.

10. Explore the Japanese cemetery

Broome’s Japanese Cemetery is steeped in history, offering a quiet yet powerful window into the lives of the Japanese pearlers who once worked these shores. More than 900 graves are marked by stone obelisks, carved with names, birthplaces, and dates – a testament to lives lived far from home.

Nearby, the Chinese cemetery honours the contributions of Broome’s Chinese community, adding another layer to the town’s multicultural story.

11. Sip gin at Moontide Distillery

gin tasting at Moontide Distillery, Broome

Pull up for a relaxed tasting at Moontide Distillery. (Image: Shot by Thom)

There are plenty of pretty spots around Broome, but if you’re after something a bit different (and a bit stronger), Moontide Distillery delivers. Tucked away among mango trees, this local gem is all about small-batch spirits made with native ingredients – think Kakadu plum and white berry bush.

You can peek behind the scenes on a distillery tour, or just pull up for a relaxed tasting with some snacks. No rush, no fuss – just good drinks, done Broome-style.

12. Walk from jetty to jetty

This 3.4km self-guided trail hugs the shoreline of Roebuck Bay, linking two historic jetties and revealing the stories that shaped Broome’s pearling past. Along the way, signposts spotlight the town’s multicultural roots – from pearlers and traders to the communities that built Broome’s character.

Grab a free map from the Visitor Centre, take it at your own pace and let the bay breeze do the rest.

13. Get snappy at Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park

There’s nothing like standing a few metres from a massive saltwater crocodile – safely, of course. Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park has been thrilling visitors since 1983, when adventurer and conservationist Malcolm Douglas turned a patch of land and a handful of giant crocs into one of Broome’s wildest attractions.

Feeding time is 3pm, when the real action kicks off. You’ll also spot kangaroos, wallabies, snakes, lizards, and plenty of colourful birdlife.

14. Take a camel ride

Riding a camel is the best way to explore Cable Beach. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Camels on a beach shouldn’t make sense, but in Broome, they do. These long-lashed locals have been hauling visitors along Cable Beach for decades, pacing the hard-packed sand like it’s their runway. The camel ride itself is slow, almost meditative, with nothing but the sound of waves, the creak of saddles and the warm sea breeze.

As the sun starts to burn its way into the horizon, painting the sky in deep ochres and blood orange, you’ll realise this isn’t just a photo op – it’s a moment. Fun, iconic and entirely Broome.

15. Explore Chinatown

Chinatown is a bustling shopping and dining hub in Broome. (Image: Michael Theis)

Broome’s main retail hub, Chinatown, has been the multicultural heart of the town since the 1880s when pearling crews set up camp in corrugated tin sheds and makeshift huts. Today, it’s a compact, walkable district where red latticework, green awnings and tin roofs give the streets a distinctive charm.

Along Dampier Terrace, high-end pearl boutiques showcase locally sourced treasures, while Johnny Chi Lane offers a mix of clothing and jewellery stores, with historical panels on the walls that bring Broome’s rich past to life. For a coffee stop with a relaxed vibe, Green Mango Cafe is a local favourite.

16. Cruise away at sunset

sunset sailing with Willie Cruises, Broome

Sail at sunset with Willie Cruises. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Pindan red cliffs, turquoise sea, and white sand – the Kimberley’s colours come alive from the deck of Willie, one of Australia’s oldest operating pearl luggers. This four-hour sail along Cable Beach is well-run and relaxed, with friendly crew, tasty snacks and a licensed bar for sunset sips.

As Willie glides along the coast and the sails rise, guests can settle in with a drink, take a dip in the boom nets and watch the sky shift through a palette of glowing hues. It’s an easy-going escape with just the right mix of history, scenery and salt air.

17. Visit for Shinju Matsuri

a Chinese dragon dance at the Shinju Matsuri Festival in Broome

Sammy, the 30-metre-long dragon, dances around the streets of Chinatown. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

If there’s one festival worth planning a trip around, it’s Shinju Matsuri. Held annually from late August to early September, this vibrant celebration of Broome’s rich and diverse culture spills across town with an eclectic program of events.

Expect long table dinners on Cable Beach, glowing floating lanterns drifting into the night and a glittering opening night ball.

18. Go fishing

From big game to reef and creek fishing, Broome has something for every angler. Keen to hit the water? Local fishing charters will take you out in search of barramundi, threadfin and whatever else is biting.

Prefer to keep your feet on land? Town Beach Jetty on Roebuck Bay is a top spot for families, with shaded areas, rod holders and bait boards ready for action – just add a bit of patience and you might bring dinner home yourself.

19. Explore Reddell Beach

Red rock formations stand like sculptures on Reddell Beach. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Quiet, striking and blissfully under the radar, Reddell Beach is a local favourite for good reason. Accessed via Car Park 3 along the unsealed Kavite Road, it’s a short descent down rugged sand cliffs to reach the shore.

At the bottom, stunning red rock formations stand like sculptures against the Indian Ocean, where vivid blue water meets rust-red earth – a scene that’s pure Kimberley and far from the crowds.

20. Join a Bart Pigram tour

Narlijia Experiences in Roebuck Bay, Broome

Bart Pigram runs Narlijia Experiences in Roebuck Bay. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Well-known Broome local Bart Pigram runs Narlijia Experiences – meaning “true for you" in the Yawuru language. His tours explore the rich cultural landscape of Roebuck Bay, guiding visitors through the mangroves and tidal flats while sharing stories rooted in both Aboriginal and multicultural heritage.

Along the way, guests get a seasonal taste of local bush foods and an insight into Broome’s layered history, from first contact to the pearling era.

21. Relax at Bali Hai

Some hotels are worth visiting for the spa alone – Bali Hai Resort & Spa is one of them. With seven treatment rooms and traditional Balinese massage techniques on offer, it’s a serene retreat where relaxation is the main event.

The setting, with its tropical gardens and tranquil vibes, feels a world away – like slipping into a slice of Indonesian paradise without leaving Australia. Looking for more luxe stays? Find the best Broome hotels here.

22. Visit the Broome Courthouse Markets

Set beneath shady trees in the heritage-listed courthouse gardens, the Broome Courthouse Markets are a local institution. What started over 25 years ago as a handful of stalls has grown into a lively hub of creativity, with up to 115 stalls during the dry season.

Open every Saturday all year and Sundays from April to October, the markets serve up everything from pearl jewellery and Indigenous art to bush foods, tropical plants and the occasional crate of vintage vinyl. It’s part shopping spree, part cultural experience – and the perfect way to spend a lazy Broome morning.

23. Sleepover at the Horizontal Falls

cruising along Horizontal Falls, Talbot Bay

The Horizontal Falls is an underrated wonder in the Kimberleys. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Can’t bear to leave the ‘Horries’? For many Broome visitors, witnessing the tidal waterfalls deep in Talbot Bay, within the Buccaneer Archipelago, is the ultimate Kimberley experience.

Now there’s no need to rush it. Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures has a package that includes an overnight stay aboard the luxurious Jetwave Pearl – giving you more time in one of Australia’s most jaw-dropping spots.

For a deep dive into Broome’s vibrant history, culture and food scene, join a walking tour with Salty Plum Social. Led by long-time locals Chris and Robyn, these tours take you through the heart of Broome’s historic Chinatown and beyond, blending storytelling with a good dose of social fun.

Choose from an evening small bar tour, a big art morning walk, or the Pearling Masters’ Trek, which unpacks the town’s pearling legacy. On Tuesdays, the Wayfarer’s Gourmet Experience at Town Beach serves up a food-focused adventure.

Hungry? Discover the best restaurants to book after a day of exploring

It’s no secret that Broome is one of the most beautiful places in Australia. Think ancient Indigenous culture, azure waters and award-winning restaurants, all surrounded by rugged Kimberley landscapes. Bliss. Broome hotels and resorts are no different.

Being one of Western Australia’s prettiest towns, hotels here are blessed with good views, tropical vibes and a hearty dose of history. From the timeless wonder of Pinctada McAlpine House to the Mangrove Hotel’s bayside escape, we’ve picked the best hotels and resorts.

1. The Billi Resort

Address: 97 Oryx Road (Lullfitz Drive)
Price: $$

Stay in a luxe safari tent or chic villa. (Image: Taryn Yeates)

Glamping is a wonderful way to experience Broome’s natural beauty and salty ocean air. The Billi Resort has a handful of luxe safari tents with timber floors, private bathrooms and a kitchenette.

Situated within walking distance of Cable Beach, this retreat also boasts chic villas, ranging from one bedroom to three. Relax at the central pool area or hire an electric bike and explore the shoreline.

2. The Pearle of Cable Beach

Address: 14 Millington Road
Price: $$ – $$$

Swim right up to The Pearle of Cable Beach. (Image: Taryn Yeates Photography)

If you adore swimming, this resort is for you. Stroll from Cable Beach to your one-, two- or three-bedroom villa at The Pearle of Cable Beach and cool off in your very own private pool. Whip up a cocktail in the designer kitchen then sip it on the deck while dipping your toes into the plunge pool.

This Southeast Asian-inspired resort has a cafe serving a continental breakfast buffet overlooking the communal pool, which is heated for comfort during the cooler dry season.

Just be aware, the villas have some semi-detached bedrooms (under the same roof line). This might not suit families with young children.

3. Beaches of Broome

Address: 4 Sanctuary Road
Price: $ – $$

guest room in beaches of broome hotel and backpackers

Relax in a private room between swims. (Image: Facebook/Beaches of Broome)

This hostel is the perfect base for exploring the abundance of adventures on offer at Cable Beach. Located just metres from the ocean, Beaches of Broome offers both dormitory accommodation and private rooms.

The piece de resistance, however, is the sparkling pool – the ideal locale for a cool drink with new or old friends.

4. Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa

Address: Cable Beach Road
Price: $$$$

Cable Beach Club Resort and Spa is the epitome.

If you know anything about Broome, chances are you’ve heard of the grand dame of hospitality, the Cable Beach Resort & Spa. You can really live it up at this iconic resort where the vibe is unmistakably zen.

Find four restaurants, two large pools (one adults-only), a spa and salon, a gym to get stuck into and a cocktail menu that’s as long as your arm. The eight-hectare property also offers a refresher room so you can use the resort facilities if you arrive or depart outside of check-in and out times.

When you’re not pool-hopping or playing tennis, you can take a boat tour, scenic flight, fishing charter or camel ride on Cable Beach.

5. Pinctada McAlpine House

Address: 55 Herbert St (Corner Louis St)
Price: $$$

Enjoy the heritage style of Pinctada McAlpine House. (Image: Facebook/Pinctada McAlpine House)

For fans of places with a past, Pinctada McAlpine House was constructed during the heyday of Broome’s pearl shelling industry. Located within walking distance of the town centre, the property now delivers the same historic charm in a more elegant setting.

Guests can choose from a variety of suite styles, from the Garden Suite, with its peaceful atmosphere, to the exclusive McAlpine Suite with its four-poster bed and claw foot bath.

6. Eco Beach Resort Broome

Address: Lot 323 Great Northern Highway
Price: $$$ – $$$$

woman swims in the infinity pool at Eco Beach Resort Broome

Swim the day away. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Gaze the afternoon away with unrivalled views across the Indian Ocean at the secluded Eco Beach Resort in your solar-panel-charged eco villa, glamping tent, or two-bedroom house.

When you can peel yourself away from your lodging, there is an onsite spa, complimentary daily yoga sessions, paddle boards and kayaks, shaded hammocks on the beach, an alluring infinity pool with comfy sun lounges and an incredible restaurant dishing out local produce.

To totally unwind don’t miss Eco Beach’s signature activity ‘Mud & Bubbles’ where you paint yourself with mangrove mud and sip bubbles while waiting for the mud to dry, before rinsing off in the Indian Ocean.

Eco Beach Resort is a 130km self-drive or shuttle bus south from Broome, or opt for a 25-minute helicopter transfer over some of the most spectacular coastline in the world.

7. Bali Hai Resort & Spa

Address: 6 Murray Road
Price: $$$ – $$$$

Step foot into Bali without leaving Broome. (Image: Facebook/ Bali Hai Resort & Spa)

Like being in the Bali of a bygone era, the relaxed Bali Hai Resort & Spa has a centre-piece swimming pool, lush grounds and spa treatments using traditional Balinese recipes. It’s impossible not to unwind here.

Set a couple of blocks back from Cable Beach Resort and adjacent to Kimberley Sands Resort, you have four self-contained villas to choose from, all with private courtyards and outdoor bathrooms. The restaurant (dinner only) has a great selection of dishes featuring Western Australian produce, such as prawns, beef eye fillet and pork belly. Dine inside or opt for a table on the deck that has been built around a shiny boab tree.

8. Mangrove Hotel

Address: 47 Carnarvon Street
Price: $$$ – $$$$

an outdoor pool with palm trees and sun loungers at Mangrove Hotel, Broome

Plunge straight into the pool at Mangrove Hotel.

Home to arguably Broome’s best view, Mangrove Hotel is polished down to the last detail. Along with two pools, the breezy hotel has a lively bar and restaurant that seamlessly flows from an indoor setting to an outdoor oasis.

Rooms are white and contemporary, with pops of turquoise fabrics that match the dreamy waters of Roebuck Bay.

9. Oaks Broome Hotel

Address: 99 Robinson Street
Price: $$$

Stay in central Broome at Oaks Broome Hotel.

Broome is home to two Oaks properties – one close to Cable Beach and the other a short walk from Chinatown. An advantage of staying in a chain hotel is that you mostly know what to expect before you even check-in.

Near Broome’s retail centre, Oaks Broome Hotel has around 100 hotel rooms, studios, and one- or two-bedroom self-contained apartments. Guests get access to the umbrella-lined pool and a restaurant that offers alfresco and air-conditioned dining.

10. Oaks Cable Beach Resort

Address: 11 Oryx Road
Price: $$ – $$$

interior suite at Oaks Cable Beach Resort

Opt for Oaks Cable Beach Resort for an amazing pool and beach access.

If you love swimming, sunbathing and a bit of luxury, you must plan your vacation around an amazing pool. Oaks Cable Beach Resort boasts five swimming pools including an impressive lagoon-style pool and a children’s wading pool where parents can take up position on a sun lounger. Here you have a choice of modern studio rooms and apartments ranging from one bedroom to three.

11. Moonlight Bay Suites

Address: 51 Carnarvon Street
Price: $$$ – $$$$

Soak in views of Roebuck Bay. (Image: Facebook/Moonlight Bay Suites)

You won’t be far from Matso’s famous Brewery if you check into the Moonlight Bay Suites or the Bayside Holiday Apartments, both owned by the Kimberley Accommodation Group.

Overlooking Roebuck Bay, Moonlight Bay Suites has a huge swimming pool, manicured gardens and 50 one- and two-bedroom suites, 18 of which boast bay views.

On the corner of Hamersley Street, over the road from Matso’s, Bayside Holiday Apartments offers basic apartments and a pool.

12. Roebuck Bay Hotel

Address: 33 Carnarvon Street
Price: $$ – $$$$

Party on at The Roey. (Image: Facebook/Roebuck Bay Hotel)

In the heart of Chinatown, The Roey (as it’s affectionately known) is Broome’s longest-standing hospitality establishment, dating back to 1890. If drag bingo, wet t-shirt competitions and nightclubbing until 3am is your type of holiday, then make a beeline for the Roey Backpackers and Party Bar.

Take a dip in the pool, prep a snack in the communal kitchen and make yourself comfy in one of the many, many bunk beds. If you’re after a room of your own, Roebuck Bay Hotel, as the name suggests, also has standard hotel rooms.

13. Mantra Frangipani Broome

Address: 15 Millington Road
Price: $$$ – $$$$

a pond where water lilies grow, Mantra Frangipani Broome

There’s a pond where water lilies grow at Mantra Frangipani Broome. (Image: Roderick Eime)

Mantra Frangipani Broome has apartments ranging from one bedroom to three, which feature a beachside vibe with tiled floors and bright artwork. Cool off in your private outdoor shower or grab a sun lounge next to one of the two pools.

It’s an easy walk from this Accor-owned hotel to the Cable Beach restaurants, or you can catch a bus to town directly outside the resort.

14. Mercedes Cove Exclusive Coastal Retreat

Address: Dampier Peninsula
Price: $$ – $$$

an aerial view of the beach at Mercedes Cove Exclusive Coastal Retreat

A tropical getaway awaits at Mercedes Cove Exclusive Coastal Retreat.

Overlooking the white sand of Pender Bay on the Dampier Peninsula about 190 kilometres north of Broome, sits the idyllic Mercedes Cove Exclusive Coastal Retreat glamping spot. Cue endless stargazing by night and whale watching by day.

You can choose from two eco-tents, a cabin with a real bathroom or our favourite – Open Deck, where you’ll sleep in a double bed under a mosquito net on the verandah.

a beachfront dining setup at Mercedes Cove Exclusive Coastal Retreat

Dine by the beach at Mercedes Cove Exclusive Coastal Retreat.

15. Jetwave Pearl

Address: Horizontal Falls
Price: $$$$$

the living room interior of Horizontal Falls Accommodation at Jet Wave Pearl

The Jet Wave Pearl can fit up to 20 guests. (Image: Taryn Yeates)

If you love the Horizontal Falls and want to stay longer than just a day, there’s an overnight experience on offer aboard Jetwave Pearl.

Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures 24-hour tour includes seaplane transfers from Broome, powerboat rides, a sunset cruise, swimming in a marine enclosure and an overnight stay on the two-level, 10-room Jetwave Pearl. It is one of our top picks for Broome tours for a reason.

a bed facing windows with waterfront views in Horizontal Falls Accommodation at Jet Wave Pearl

Wake up to uninterrupted waterfront views. (Image: Taryn Yeates)

Find more insider travel tips in our Broome travel guide.