Where the Outback Meets the Ocean: 13 Must-Do Experiences in Broome, Australia

Stay connected with Airtel’s international roaming plans as you experience the unique blend of the outback and ocean in Broome, Australia, ensuring reliable communication while exploring its stunning beaches, rich cultural sites, and unforgettable adventures.

The tiny town of Broome, perched on the edge of Western Australia’s rugged Kimberley region, is more than just an oasis in the outback. It’s a tropical paradise where red earth cliffs dissolve into sun-draped ocean waves. A place where camel trains saunter across wide swaths of white sand edged by impossibly turquoise waters. Where pearl divers once scoured oyster beds and dinosaur footprints still remain etched into ancient rock. Here, travellers experience the true spirit of Australia’s last frontier. No wonder Broome tourist attractions draw adventurers from far and wide.

There are countless incredible things to do in Broome, Australia. But to truly soak in the natural splendour and outback spirit of this one-of-a-kind destination, we’ve compiled a list of 13 essential experiences. Whether you’re riding camels at sunset, exploring ancient rock art sites, or cruising wild coastal inlets, these Broome activities will give you a deep, immersive taste of Australia’s legendary northwest.

1. Camel Rides on Cable Beach

Located just 6 km from Broome’s town centre, the 22-km stretch of powdery white sand known as Cable Beach Broome is an Australian icon. Come sunset, the Indian Ocean horizon becomes aflame in iridescent pinks and oranges, silhouetting a train of camels slowly plodding across the sand.

A camel ride across Cable Beach is hands-down one of the most essential things to do in Broome. You can book a sunset camel trek with operators like Red Sun Camels, Broome Camel Safaris, and Sundowner Camel Tours. Most camel rides last about an hour, with plenty of time for photos and learning camel commands from your guide.

2. Discover Ancient Footprints at Gantheaume Point

Just south of Cable Beach lies Gantheaume Point, a striking red rock cliff jutting into the Indian Ocean. Time your visit for low tide, when you can walk 30 metres out from the cliff base to see 125-million-year-old dinosaur footprints preserved in the reef rock. Look for the plaster cast of the three-toed theropod track embedded in the cliff face.

Besides dinosaur prints, this area is also rich in other natural and cultural history. The vivid red cliffs are capped with a white layer of sand blown in during the last ice age 120,000 years ago. You’ll also see ripples preserved in stone that mark the edge of an ancient riverbed. A lighthouse sits atop the cliff, and a historic wooden ballast tank used to weigh down pearl luggers can also be seen nearby.

3. Take a Hovercraft to Buccaneer Rock

For a unique vantage of Broome’s rugged coastline, hop aboard a hovercraft with Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures. Their one-hour “Scenic Hovercraft to Buccaneer Rock” trip zips you along the shore of Roebuck Bay and across to the opposite peninsula.

Riding a cushion of air above sand, mud, and sea, you’ll zoom over areas impassable by standard boats or vehicles. See tidal flats, coastal rock formations, secluded bays, and mangrove islands along the way. The tour culminates with a hovercraft “hike” up the side of Buccaneer Rock for panoramic views across Dampier Creek and Roebuck Bay.

4. Visit the Broome Historical Museum

For an overview of Broome’s multicultural history and bygone pearl diving days, make a stop at the Broome Historical Museum on Robinson Street. Just a 15-minute walk from Chinatown, this small but well-presented museum packs in fascinating exhibits spanning Aboriginal culture, European settlement, the growth of the pearling industry, and more.

See traditional Aboriginal weapons and tools, early pearling equipment, a replica pearl lugger, and a wooden “pearloscope” used to view and grade pearls. You can even try on a vintage pearl diver’s suit weighing over 180 pounds. Equally fascinating are displays of the dangerous practices of early divers and the later impacts of plastic buttons and cultured pearls on Broome’s pearl shell industry.

5. Catch a Movie at Sun Pictures Outdoor Cinema

No visit to Broome is complete without catching a flick at the world’s oldest operating picture gardens. Built in 1916, Sun Pictures is a quintessential Broome tourist attraction. This open-air cinema is a throwback to simpler times, with canvas deck chairs arrayed before the towering outdoor screen.

Sit back and enjoy the show as planes soar directly overhead and stars twinkle above salty sea breezes. Offering a mix of new release films, alternative/indie movies, and Hollywood classics, there’s something for everyone at this slice of Broome heritage. Check their website for screening times and be sure to book your tickets early!

6. Shop for Pearls in Broome’s Chinatown

Known as the “pearl capital of Australia”, shopping for these natural gems is one of the top things to do in Broome. Most pearl showrooms are clustered in the town’s historic Chinatown precinct, where the scent of Thai and Malaysian cuisine still lingers along the dusty streets.

Paspaley, Cygnet Bay, Willie Creek, and Kimberley Fine Diamonds are among the best spots to browse high-quality South Sea pearls. Intricately crafted pearl jewellery, loose pearls, and mother-of-pearl shells are some of the treasures you’ll find. Strict government regulations ensure all pearls sold in Broome are authentic, ethically farmed, and natural – so you can shop with confidence.

7. Drive to Gantheaume Point at Low Tide

Time it right, and you can actually drive your 4WD from Gantheaume Point to Cable Beach along the exposed seabed at low tide. Check the Broome Visitor Centre for tide times and plan to make the crossing at least 2 hours on either side of low tide.

It takes about 10-15 minutes to drive between the two points, dependent on the firmness of the sand. The beach track can be heavily corrugated, so drive slowly and carefully. Keep an eye out for marine life like turtles, rays, and small sharks in the shallows. And enjoy epic views of eroded red rock formations and the vast, sparkling expanse of the Indian Ocean all along the way.

8. Spot Rare Snubfin Dolphins on a Broome Cruise

One of Broome’s most delightful wildlife experiences is spotting rare Australian snubfin dolphins on a scenic boat cruise. These playful creatures are known for their distinctive rounded heads and are found only in shallow coastal waters and estuaries across northern Australia.

Broome cruises, like those offered by Absolute Ocean Charters and Broome Whale Watching, give you a good chance of seeing these dolphins up-close in Roebuck Bay. You might also spot sea turtles, dugongs, rays, sea snakes and a wealth of seabirds. Some cruises include a stop at a secluded beach for a picnic lunch or sunset nibbles.

9. Marvel at the Staircase to the Moon

On a clear night at extremely low tide, the full moon’s reflection across Roebuck Bay’s exposed tidal flats creates an incredible natural phenomenon known as the “Staircase to the Moon”. For just a few nights each month from March to October, locals and visitors alike gather along the Broome foreshore to see this dazzling optical illusion.

The Mangrove Hotel and Town Beach are some of the best vantage points to watch the Staircase take shape. You can find dates and times on Australia’s Northwest website, with prime viewing between 6 pm and 8 pm. While you’re there, browse the night markets at Town Beach for Aboriginal crafts, local art, jewellery, and tasty culinary fare.

10. See the Horizontal Waterfalls

Experiencing the Horizontal Falls is easily one of the top things to see in Broome. Located deep within Talbot Bay in the remote Buccaneer Archipelago, this natural wonder is actually a pair of narrow coastal gorges through which seawater rapidly rushes with the changing tides.

Jump aboard a seaplane or fast boat cruise to see the falls up close. Along the way, you’ll soak in breathtaking views of the rugged, red-rock Kimberley coast fringed by bright teal seas. Watch as water surges through the gorge’s narrow gaps, creating rapids that flow sideways up to 5 metres high! Then, get your heart pumping with a rapid boat ride right through the churning gorge gap.

11. Explore Aboriginal Rock Art on the Dampier Peninsula

Delve deeper into the Kimberley outback on a 4WD day trip or multi-day tour up the Dampier Peninsula. This 200-km-long finger of land north of Broome is rich in Aboriginal culture, with incredible rock art galleries and artefacts scattered throughout the region.

One of the most accessible places to see this ancient art is Dampier Peninsula’s Coulomb Point Nature Reserve, about a 2-hour drive from Broome. Here, you can walk coastal trails to see weathered Aboriginal petroglyphs (rock carvings) depicting turtles, fish, and human figures. For an immersive culture and rock art experience, consider an overnight stay at Kooljaman, a remote wilderness camp run by the local Bardi Jawi people.

12. Go Kayaking Through Mangroves

Join Broome Adventure Company for a guided kayak tour through Roebuck Bay’s pristine mangrove forests. Slipping quietly through the shallow waters and narrow mangrove tributaries, you’ll get a unique perspective on this remarkable coastal ecosystem.

Your guide will explain how these salt-tolerant trees provide vital protection against erosion and floods. You’ll likely spot juvenile reef fish and mud crabs sheltering among the mangrove roots, plus fiddler crabs scuttling across the exposed mudflats. Keep your eyes peeled for the dinosaur footprints embedded in the surrounding rock, too. Tours include all kayak gear, drinking water, and light refreshments.

13. Witness the Spectacle of the Shinju Matsuri Festival

If your visit coincides with the full moon in August or September, don’t miss the dazzling Shinju Matsuri Festival. Meaning “Festival of the Pearl”, this vibrant multicultural event celebrates the four diverse cultures that helped shape Broome’s pearling industry: Japanese, Malaysian, Chinese, and Aboriginal.

Stay Connected in Broome with Airtel

Broome may feel a world away, but it’s easy to stay connected with Airtel’s Postpaid international roaming plans. Enjoy unlimited data to book tours, check maps, post photos, and share your Outback adventures. Choose from a variety of packs for seamless connectivity across Australia.

From camel rides to cruises to culture, Broome offers a swag of unforgettable experiences. Start planning your escape to this laidback pearling town where the red dirt meets the sea. With just a little preparation (and an Airtel roaming pack), you’ll be all set to immerse yourself in the magic of the Kimberley. Adventure awaits.