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Visiting Broome, one time pearling capital of Western Australia
 It might seem an odd-sounding name for a town, but Broome in Western Australia is certainly making a clean sweep of tourism these days. But as with so many places like it around Australia, its very humble beginnings gave little clue to the success it enjoys from visitors who come from around the world.
What began 130 odd years ago as a rough and tumble pearling port with a wild frontier atmosphere has turned into a stunningly and sophisticated coastal community that serves as gateway to the Cable Beach holiday resort.
Broome gets its name from the Governor of Western Australia, Sir Frederick Napier Broome, who was apparently more than a little ambivalent about a townsite named after him when all it was at the time was a dusty collection of tents and rough buildings near a mangrove swamp full of mosquitoes.
Nevertheless, the towns fortunes would change. It was the landing point for submarine cable in the 1800s. A large population of Japanese pearlers were interned during the Second World War. The town port and airstrip were bombed by Japanese fighter plans. Then with the war over, the pealing industry sprang back to life and the town?s economy has never looked back.
What?s there to see
Although Broome exemplifies the once hard bitten northwestern coastal town, the multiethnic history of the place is very evident. The Japanese Cemetery in Broome is the largest Japanese cemetery in Australia and recalls the close ties Japan established with Broome in the early twentieth century. The cemetery also bears witness to the terrible loss of life from pearling. Without the benefit of underwater breathing apparatus, hundreds of Japanese divers died either from the bends, from drowning or from being attacked by sharks.
There is a breathtaking vista at the south end of town. From a vantage position at Riddell Point, one can witness an amazing sight as distinctive red soils of Broome (known as 'pindan'] meet white beach sand framed by exquisitely vivid blue seas. It is a dramatic combination of three natural colours, a sight not found anywhere else in Australia.
The Broome Crocodile Park offers a fascinating education on saltwater crocodiles while the Pearl Coast Zoo introduced visitors to animals native to the Kimberley area. Meanwhile, those curious about Broome history will discover fascinating remnants of the towns past in the Broome Historical Museum including memorabilia illustrating the town's pearling industry from its beginnings. A heritage trail brochure makes it easy for visitors to guide themselves among the many unusual historic attractions.
Remarkably, Broome?s Sun Pictures open air cinema is considered the oldest open air cinema in the world. It featured silent movies until 1933 and still operates to this day.
Other sites worth visiting include the Streeter Jetty and Eighty Mile Beach which offers a spectacular tropical setting that is witness to some extraordinary events including deadly cyclones and ship wrecks. A caravan park in the dunes near the beach provides an excellent launching point for exploring. More information is available from the Broome Tourist Bureau (08 9192 2222)
Accommodation Options
Mangrove Motel/Hotel (08 9192 1303)
Tropicana Inn Motel/Hotel (08 9192 1204)
Cable Beach Club Hotel (08 9192 0400)
Mercure Inn Broome (08 9192 1002)
Roebuck Bay Hotel (08 9192 1221)
Broome's Last Resort (08 9193 5000)
Cable Beach Club Studios (08 9192 0400)
Palms Resort Broome (08 9192 1898)
Broometime Lodge Guesthouse (08 9193 5067)
Harmony Broome Bed & Breakfast (08 9193 7439)
Moonlight Bay Serviced Apartments (1 800 818 878)
Ocean Lodge Holiday Apartments (08 9193 7700)
Park Court Holiday Units (08 9193 5887)
Broome Caravan Park (08 9192 1776)
Palm Grove Holiday Resort (08 9192 3336)
Roebuck Bay Caravan Park (08 9192 1366)
Broome Bird Observatory Caravan Facility (08 9193 5600)
Cable Beach Caravan Park (08 9192 2066)
Lambs Vacation Village (08 9192 1057)
Broome Bunkhouse (08 9192 1221)
In addition to establishments above that have their own restaurants, dining options include:
Annelies Swiss Restaurant (08 9193 6036
Cable Beach Club Hotel (08 9192 0400)
Chins Restaurant & Takeaway (08 9192 1466)
Murrays Pearler Asian & Seafood Restaurant (08 9192 2049)
Portlight Restaurant (08 9192 1002)
Tea House Restaurant (08 9193 6025)
The Original Broome Lockup Restaurant (08 9193 5004
Tongs Chinese Restaurant (08 9192 2080)
Wings Chinese Restaurant (08 9192 1072)
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