Broome, Australia
Broome, Australia
Description
View cruises with Broome, AustraliaIn the 1870s, pearl fishermen discovered the rich waters of Roebuck Bay. A decade later, Broome was founded as a base for the pearl trade and was soon described as "the pearling capital of the world." Japanese, Chinese and Aborigine divers toiled in arduous, dangerous labor to harvest oysters from the seabed. For all its importance to the pearling industry, Broome remained a remote outpost on Australia's Kimberley Coast until its discovery as a travel destination. The legacy of its pearling days can be seen in the town's colorful mix of 19th- and early 20th century buildings. Broome also boasts Cable Beach - a 13-mile strand of white-sand that stretches along the azure waters of the Indian Ocean.
Pirate William Dampier was the first European to visit Western Australia. Dampier, who circumnavigated the globe three times, landed near Broome in 1688 and again in 1699.
Points of Interest
- Chinatown and Pearl Luggers Museum
- Japanese Cemetery
- Broome Museum
- Gantheaume Point
- Cable Beach
- Willie Creek Pearl Farm
- Camel Ride
- Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park
More about Broome, Australia Points of Interest
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Chinatown and Pearl Luggers Museum -
Broome's Chinatown is a window into the city's 19th-century pearling industry. Within Pearl Luggers Museum you can see two restored luggers, or large ships that once acquired pearls from the ocean.
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Japanese Cemetery -
Romantic as pearling may seem it was a dangerous profession. The Japanese Cemetery is the final resting place for over 900 Japanese divers who gave their lives in pursuit of the glamorous and elusive pearl.
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Broome Museum -
A former general store, this museum now houses the Broome Historical Society's photographs and memorabilia, offering a glimpse into Broome's One Day War, Aboriginal life and the pearling industry.
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Gantheaume Point -
Craggy and unusual red rock formations overlook the azure waters at postcard-perfect Gantheaume Point, where you can view fossilized 130-million-year old dinosaur footprints at low tide.
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Cable Beach -
With over 13 miles of white sand and turquoise water, world famous Cable Beach is an ideal location to swim or sunbathe, or simply just to watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean.
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Willie Creek Pearl Farm -
This protected tidal estuary is famous for growing the Pinctada Maxima oyster that produces the world-renowned South Sea Pearl. A tour guide demonstrates the delicate process of seeding a live oyster shell.
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Camel Ride -
A popular attraction on beautiful Cable Beach, adventurers mount a gentle "ship of the desert" then embark on a caravan ride along miles of white sand and through the Indian Ocean's turquoise waters.
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Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park -
Established as a research center and home to crocodiles that have been caught and relocated to the park, including Australia's saltwater giants, which can reach over 19 feet long and weigh over 2,200 pounds.
