For some, space is the final frontier; for others, the final frontier is the Kimberley region in Western Australia. Broome is a coastal gateway to this most rugged and beautiful section of Australia – but the only way you are really going to get to see it in all it’s glory is
For some, space is the final frontier; for others, the final frontier is the Kimberley region in Western Australia.
Broome is a coastal gateway to this most rugged and beautiful section of Australia – but the only way you are really going to get to see it in all it’s glory is with your own vehicle, and for that you should really be getting a campervan!
In the 1920s anyone visiting Broome usually came for the pearl diving. Until after World War II, Broome ruled the market producing pearl nacre for use in buttons. With the rise of cheaper plastic buttons, the community underwent an economic depression. Since then, it has managed to rise once more out of the doldrums with pearls still providing economic promises. In fact, if you can, come in August for the Shinju Matsuri – The Festival of Pearls.
The city is also where you can see 130-year-old huge dinosaur tracks at Gantheaume Point during low tide. In town, the buildings are not as ancient but give you a clear idea of what the town looked like in its pearl-fanned peak days. In Chinatown, you can see actual timbered dwellings beneath the multilingual signs. Broome is home to a very diverse population. Asians and Aboriginals mingle and the shops and markets reflect their culture.
Visiting Broome
In the 1920s anyone visiting Broome usually came for the pearl diving. Until after World War II, Broome ruled the market producing pearl nacre for use in buttons. With the rise of cheaper plastic buttons, the community underwent an economic depression. Since then, it has managed to rise once more out of the doldrums with pearls still providing economic promises. In fact, if you can, come in August for the Shinju Matsuri – The Festival of Pearls.
The city is also where you can see 130-year-old huge dinosaur tracks at Gantheaume Point during low tide. In town, the buildings are not as ancient but give you a clear idea of what the town looked like in its pearl-fanned peak days. In Chinatown, you can see actual timbered dwellings beneath the multilingual signs. Broome is home to a very diverse population. Asians and Aboriginals mingle and the shops and markets reflect their culture.
Close At Hand
If you want to drive a short distance from Broome, two potential natural sights stand out. They are the Malcolm Douglas Wilderness Life Park on the Great Northern Highway and the Broome Bird Observatory on Roebuck Bay. The former is a wildlife refuge where you can catch sight of various wildlife including crocodiles, kangaroos, dingos and emus. The Bird reserve is home to a changing population. During migration season, hundreds of birds arrive – many having travelled thousands of miles to stop over.
Leaving Broome Behind
Generally, if you decide on a day trip from Broome, a favoured direction is further north along the Great North Highway or on the Cape Leveque Rd. to the Dampier Peninsula. Alternatively, you can take your campervan hire from Broome south along the Eighty Mile Reach. This softly arcing stretch of coastline will take you down to Port Hedland. You drive to admire the scenery but, if you decide to spend a night, there is Eight Mile Beach Caravan Park.
Going in the opposite direction can be a challenge. Derby is 216 km (134 mi) NE from Broome. If you book a sightseeing plane, you can fly over the Buccaneer Archipelago with its white beaches and red cliffs clearly visible. Many visitors arrive annually for the Boab Festival. They visit the Wharfingers Museum and the Old Derby Gaol.
A little closer to Broome is the Dampier Peninsula. It runs from Broome to Cape Leveque. From Broome, it should take you around 2.5 hours but, fair warning, the roads can be hard on your vehicle. The highlights of this trip include:
- Beagle Bay – the Pearl nacre covered alter at Sacred Heart Church is worth seeing
- Middle Lagoon – You can camp here at Nature’s Lagoon Hideaway and do some fishing and swimming at some of the most beautiful and less frequented beaches
- Lombadina – An Aboriginal community, it strives to make you welcome. Payment is required to visit the land including the 1934 church and the Arts and Crafts Centre
At Cape Leveque, you can enjoy the magnificent pale beaches and the spectacular red cliffs. Make plans to stay or head back to Broome. This is clearly one benefit of a campervan hire from Broome. You always have the choice to continue to drive along the trails and highways or to turn in for the night into a small caravan park, cattle station or quiet park.
A journey to this region will simply be tedious without having your own campervan. Book yours today! Go to the campervan bookings page, or the ecampervanhire.com.au home page for more information.