Broome is a remote town in north Western Australia with a population of 16,500. It is 2000 km from the nearest capital city. The town boomed when pearl oyster beds were discovered offshore in 1883 and declined when the industry faded in the 1950s.
We arrived at 9:45am. Since this was our first port of call in Australia, every passenger had to meet face-to-face with an Australian Immigration officer. This took a long time so we had lunch at the Waves Cafe before meeting with the immigration officer.
As we approached Broome, we passed Ganthaume Point, where dinosaur footprints are visible during low tide. The water is a beautiful turquoise color and the pindan cliffs are scarlet in color. So pretty!
We were towed by tugboats to the deep harbor pier.
The cruise port is out of town in the middle of nowhere. There is a complimentary shuttle that takes all passengers from the pier to the Visitors Centre in town--a 9-minute ride.
Broome is a small town and you can easily walk from one end to the other. Take the Jetty to Jetty tour, a 2.8km walk from Chinatown’s Streeters Jetty to the Old Jetty at Town Beach. Download the free Jetty to Jetty smartphone app on your phone. The tour takes about 2 hrs.
Broome is a sleepy town and it reminded me of Lahaina in Maui. Same balmy temperature, same low-rise buildings. Just not as busy.
In the downtown area, there is a sculpture dedicated to the pearl divers.
Yawuru Sculpture near the Streeters Jetty.
The Jetty to Jetty Tour started at Streeters Jetty.
Sun Picture Garden--the world's oldest operating open-air cinema in the world. It dates from 1916.
Movies are still shown here.
Chinatown is the heart & soul of Broome. There are many pearl showrooms and art galleries in town.
Christmas decorations in Broome.
More sculptures along the walk.
Woman Diver Statue that honored the women who were instrumental in the pearling industry.
View where the Old Jetty used to be. The New Jetty is in the background.
The New Jetty.
View of our ship docked at the deep harbor pier.
Matso's Broome Brewery is the most remote brewery in Australia. The tasting room and cafe is located in an old bank. There is an outdoor area but the air-conditioned indoor space is more comfortable when it's hot & humid outside.
The Chango (chili mango) beer is one of their most popular options. A glass cost A$11 ($7.37). You can also get a sampler of 5 beer for A$13 ($8.71).
We had to walk back into town to catch the shuttle back to the pier. Pedestrians are not allowed on the pier.
If we had more time, we would have purchased a 24-hour pass on the Hop-On, Hop-Off Broome Explorer Bus for A$15. You can purchase tickets onboard. It would have taken us to Cable Beach, where the first transcontinental cable is located. It's also the place to ride a camel at sunset.
Back on board, we had dinner at Toscana, the Italian specialty restaurant.
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