|
|
|
Broome - Cities, Towns and Localities |
|
Located at the south western tip of the Kimberley region, and once the
pearling capital of the world, is the town of Broome. Called the ‘Pearl of the
North’ and often referred to as the southern gateway to the wilderness region of
the Kimberley, it is located on a peninsula with the Indian Ocean to the west and
Roebuck Bay to the south east.
Check out some of listing of attractions, events and other links. |
|
|
|
Beagle Bay
• via BROOME WA 6725 • Ph: +61 8 9192 4913
• The Beagle Bay
Aboriginal community is located on the west coast of the Dampier Peninsula,
about 120 km north of Broome. The community first started as a Catholic mission
about 1890, but is the traditional home to the Nyul Nyul people. The site’s name
was taken from the boat the ‘Beagle’ which was moored at the bay during a brief
stay.The community is well known for its Sacred Heart Church, with a
mother-of-pearl shell altar which was built entirely by hand by the Pallotine
monks and Aboriginal people. Work began on the church in 1914 and was finished
in 1917.
Beagle Bay was previously used as a home for separated indigenous children.
It is now administered by those same children. The monks run the church and
school.
|
 Broome
Bird Observatory
• BROOME WA 6725 • Ph: 08 9193 5600 •
• Broome Bird Observatory is located on
the north-west coast of Australia on the shores of beautiful Roebuck Bay; Just
25 kilometres east of the town of Broome and some 2,400 road kilometres north of
Perth. Established in 1988 as a research and education facility, over 310 bird
species have been recorded just 25 km from Broome. It is regarded as the most
significant site in Australia for shorebirds and among the top four in the
world. It has the greatest diversity of shorebird species of any site on the
planet and more than 800,000 birds visiting the area annually. The magnificent
coastal scenery of Roebuck Bay provides a stunning backdrop for these birds and
is a delight for all who visit. Accommodation and Tours available.
|
Broome Historical Society Museum
• Lot 271 Saville St, BROOME WA 6725 • Ph: +61
8 9192 2075
• The old Customs House building features display on pearling, with many old photographs
and files that recount the town’s history. Did you know that because of the
labour needs of the pearling industry, the town was exempt from the White
Australia policy.
|
Cable Beach
• Glittering fine white sands and turquoise
waters entice for over 22 km of unspoilt beach with huge 10
metre tides. At the end of the day, watch the spectacular sunset over the Indian
Ocean.
Click here
to view the beach live via
Broomecam.
|
Chinatown
• The heart and soul of Broome, original
corrugated iron huts and showrooms invite you in to see some
of the finest pearls in the world, sidewalk cafes, billiard
saloons and more. A place to experience some great shopping and opportunity to
soak up the charm of old and new Broome.
|
Dinosaur Footprints
• First discovered in 1935 by a
group of girl guides these prints are world renown for the
extensive collection and ease of viewing. The footprints are only visible on low
tide. Contact
Broome Tourist Bureau for further information.
|
Gantheaume Point
• Located just 6 km from the town of Broome, part of the coast near Cable Beach, with vibrant red
sandstone cliffs, and home to 130 million year old dinosaur footprints, that can
be seen at low tide. Contact the Broome Visitor Centre for tide times.On the north side of this point is Anastasia’s Pool, a
small man made rock pool built by a former lighthouse keeper for his wife
Anastasia, who was crippled with arthritis.
|
Japanese Cemetery
• Pearling is a dangerous job
attested to by the over 900 Japanese graves most of whom
lost to the bends, sharks or cyclones whilst searching for
pearls.
|
Malcolm Douglas Broome Crocodile Park
• Over 1,000
reptiles await you, saltwater, estuarine, freshwater
crocodile, alligators, caiman and the New Guinea crocodile.
|
Manbana Discovery Centre
• Site 6, Murakami Rd, PORT OF BROOME WA 6725
• Ph: 08 9192 3844 • Fax: 08 9192 3944
•
•
• Discover the role the Kimberley Aboriginal people have
played in north-west Australia their relationship with the oceans, rivers and
water. Discover the role they play in both historical and contemporary fishing
industries such as pearling, trochus farming and aquaculture. Walk through the
native garden and learn how plant and tree species were traditionally used in
day to today life. The centre also features aquarium displays which include
Barramundi feeding, touch tanks and dangerous marine species. Tours are
conducted by local indigenous guides.
|
Rowley Shoals Islands
• Located about 260 km offshore from Broome, on the edge
of one of the widest continental shelves in the world, are a chain of coral
atolls known as the Rowley Shoal Islands. The three pear shaped atolls have
shallow lagoons inhabited by corals and abundant marine life and cover an area
of about 80 to 90 square km. The Shoals rise with nearly vertical sides from
very deep water. Mermaid Reef, the most northerly, rises from about 440 metres,
with Clerke from 390 metres and Imperieuse from about 230 metres.
The Rowley
Shoals have a reputation of offering some of the best diving in Australia, lying
on the very edge of Australia’s continental shelf, in some of the most remote
and pristine marine areas in the world. There are coral gardens with over 233
species of corals, giant clams and over 688 species of fish that inhabit the
shoals.
A boat trip to the Rowley Shoals takes about 12 hours, with most operators
visiting the Shoals from September to December.
|
Sun Picture Theatre
• Ph: 08
91923738
• Opened in 1916 and believed to be the oldest continuos operating open picture garden in the world. This
unique theatre has withstood the test of time and house a
wonderful collection of movie memorabilia. A must do when
visiting Broome. The only other open air theatre in
Australia is located in
Winton,
Queensland.
|
Town Bus Service Broome
• (PO Box 5914) Depot - 32 Hunter St, BROOME WA 6725
•
Ph: 08 9193 6585 • Fax: 08 9193 6791 •
• Travelling with the Town Bus Service is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to
get around Broom. We provide an hourly service to all major accommodation
houses, travelling through to Chinatown and Cable Beach, 7 days a week.
|
 |
|
|
• Western Australia Events |
Shinju Matsuri Festival (Festival of the Pearl)
•
• August-September
• ‘Shinju Matsuri’ is a
Japanese term meaning ‘Festival of the Pearl’. It is one of Australia’s
longest running annual festivals, running for about ten days, and
celebrating Broome’s diverse culture and heritage. Keeping in line with
tradition, the festival is held with the lunar calendar and the
harvesting of the pearl. There is the opening ball, carnival of nations,
float parade, mardi gras, and much more encompassing music, art, dance,
literature, history, sport, food and children’s activities.
|
Staircase to the Moon
•
Occurs March through to October
• A natural phenomenon caused by the
rising of a full moon reflecting off the exposed mudflats in Roebuck Bay
at extremely low tide, creating a beautiful optical illusion of a
staircase reaching to the moon.
There is the Staircase Markets held at Town Beach on the nights of the
‘Staircase to the Moon’.
When a full moon occurs twice in the same month it is known as a ‘Blue
Moon’.
|
|
|
|
