Broome WA Kimberley, Western Australia

Australia

Here, the colours strike before anything else: the deep red of the earth, the milky turquoise of the Indian Ocean, the white sand stretching as far as the eye can see. Broome, the former pearling capital perched on Australia's northwest coast, serves as the gateway to the Kimberley and cultivates a tropical way of life unlike any other port of call in the country. Ships dock at Entrance Point, about a ten-minute drive from the small town; shuttles and taxis make the connection.

Cable Beach, 22 Kilometres of Shoreline

The region's most famous beach stretches 22 kilometres of pale sand facing a warm sea in ever-shifting shades. Visitors swim here, walk for long stretches, and above all wait for evening: Cable Beach's sunsets rank among the most watched in Australia, and the camel trains that stroll along the water at dusk have become its signature image. A camel ride, at the animals' unhurried pace, leaves a lasting memory, but simply sitting in the sand works just as well.

Dinosaur Footprints at Low Tide

At Gantheaume Point, when the sea retreats, red sandstone platforms reveal dinosaur footprints estimated at some 130 million years old. Sauropods and theropods left their tracks here in the sediments of a long-vanished coastline, and there's a particular thrill in leaning over these impressions. The headland itself is worth the walk: the red rock plunges into a turquoise sea, and the lighthouse watches over this edge of the world. The visit depends entirely on the tide: check ashore for favourable times before planning the trip.

Chinatown and the Memory of Pearls

The small historic district of Chinatown is a reminder that Broome was built on mother-of-pearl. Divers from Asia and the Pacific, shipowners, and merchants created a blended world here, still evident in the low façades and pearl merchants' shops. Today's shops display renowned cultured pearls, and several nearby pearl farms open their doors to tell the story of the trade, from the perilous early days of diving suits to today's techniques. It's a chance to understand why this remote outpost was once known to jewellers the world over.

Take time, too, for a meal in the neighbourhood: the tables blend Asian influences with Australian produce, a direct legacy of this mixed history, and the local gelaterias win over passengers looking to cool off.

At the Gateway to the Kimberley

Broome also serves as the threshold to one of Australia's last great wilderness regions. Depending on the time available, a light aircraft flight reveals the jagged coastlines, gorges, and plateaus of the Kimberley, while off-road vehicle outings explore the red tracks of the surrounding area. Even without a far-flung excursion, the vegetation, mangroves, and light give a faithful taste of this vast Northwest.

Practical Notes

• The port is about a 10-minute drive from town and 8 minutes from Cable Beach.
• The Gantheaume Point footprints can only be seen at low tide.
• A hat, water, and sunscreen are essential year-round in this tropical climate.
• The dry season, during the southern winter, offers the most reliable skies; the wet season brings heat and spectacular storms.

As Evening Falls

As the ship pulls away from the coast, the sun often sinks into an orange sky that the sea extends seamlessly. It becomes clear then why so many travellers hold Broome apart in their memories of Australia: the town has the gentleness of day's end, the depth of a singular history, and the vastness of the Kimberley as its backcountry. A return visit will be needed, by sea if at all possible.