Broome, WA

Broome is the perfect hideaway from southern winters.

We have spent a very relaxed week in Broome and can see why so many people come here for the winter. The weather is perfect, around 30°C during the day with evenings and nights around 23°C, it’s not humid, there are no flies or mosquitoes, and no wind, just an occasional gentle sea breeze. We stayed at Cable Beach Caravan Park which has lots of trees and shady sites and an easy walk to the beach.

Broome has a small Bunnings and a large Mitre 10. Tim made a shelf for our new DVD player and sound system (thank you to our lovely daughter).

Cable Beach got its name because In 1889, a telegraph undersea cable was laid from Broome to Banjuwangi, East Java, connecting to England. Hence the name Cable Beach given to the landfall site.

There are lots of reasons to love Cable Beach. The water is crystal clear, wonderful for swimming and boogie boarding, there are surf life savers, a mobile kiosk hires out beach umbrellas and deck chairs for use on the beach, and the sunsets are gorgeous.

Just around the corner from the swimming area of Cable Beach is where you find the camel trains.

It’s also where 4WDs are allowed on the beach and is very popular for pre-dinner drinks and swims while watching the sunset.

Roebuck Bay is on the opposite side of the town of Broome and is an East facing beach, the place to see Staircase to the Moon. Staircase to the Moon is a natural phenomenon which occurs when a full moon rises over the exposed tidal flats of Roebuck Bay.

The Broome Courthouse Market was fun.

Matso’s Brewery had curries, wood fired pizzas, a cocktail bar outside and live music.

Sun Picture GardensIs the world’s oldest outdoor picture theatre still operating, having opened in 1916. The screen and half the seating is outside under the stars, while the remaining seating is undercover.

Broome Bird Observatory invited the public to assist with a cannon netting. Cannon netting is when a particular type of bird is targeted for tagging, measuring and collect various types of data on. Hours of preparation work is done before the public arrive. A camouflaged net had been sent up on the forshore and is launched by three ‘cannon’ type projectiles to capture the birds. Fabric cages under shade cloth are set up to sort and work on the birds once they are caught. This is done about twice a month during the dry season. Unfortunately, on this day the right type of birds didn’t play along and stand in front of the net, so the attempt was abandoned. Everyone helped dismantle the set up.