BroomeOutdoor Escape Game & Treasure Hunt

Pearling Industry and Early Development

Broome, known as Rubibi by the Indigenous Yawuru people, has been inhabited for at least 30,000 years, with established trade routes across the Dampier Peninsula. European contact began in 1688 when William Dampier explored the coast. The town's development changed in 1861 with the discovery of the Pinctada maxima pearl oyster in Roebuck Bay, the world's largest pearl shell. This discovery initiated an industry focused on mother-of-pearl, used for buttons and cutlery handles. By 1864, the industry supplied 75% of the world's mother-of-pearl, and by World War I, Broome supplied over 80%.

Broome was officially established on November 27, 1883, named after Sir Frederick Napier Broome, the Governor of Western Australia. The town's growth continued in 1889 when an undersea telegraph cable connecting Australia to Java and the rest of the world landed at what is now Cable Beach. The pearling industry was demanding, with high mortality rates for divers due to decompression sickness, sharks, and cyclones. The industry relied on a diverse workforce from Japan, Malay, China, the Philippines, Koepang (Timor), and Aboriginal communities, contributing to Broome's multicultural character. Chinatown became a central area for this community, with boarding houses, shops, and restaurants.

World War II and Modern Broome

Broome's location made it a target during World War II. On March 3, 1942, the town experienced a Japanese air raid. Nine Japanese Zero fighter planes attacked, destroying at least 22 Allied aircraft, including 15 flying boats in Roebuck Bay carrying Dutch refugees evacuating from the Dutch East Indies. This attack resulted in at least 88 civilian and Allied military personnel deaths. The wreckage of some of these flying boats is visible in Roebuck Bay at very low tide. After the war, the pearling industry declined. Broome has since developed as a tourist destination and a gateway to the Kimberley region, maintaining its multicultural identity.

• —Sun Pictures Cinema — An open-air cinema, operating since 1916. Films are shown under the sky in its original setting on Carnarvon Street.
• —Gantheaume Point — An area of red sandstone cliffs, 6 kilometers from town. At very low tide, 130-million-year-old dinosaur footprints, left by at least 21 species, are visible in the rocks.
• —Town Beach — Provides access to Roebuck Bay and is a location to observe the "Staircase to the Moon" phenomenon between April and October. At extremely low tides, the wrecks of World War II flying boats, destroyed in the 1942 Japanese air raid, are visible.
• —Chinatown — The historical center of Broome, where corrugated iron buildings once housed the pearling community. It reflects the town's multicultural heritage from Aboriginal, Asian, and European influences.
• —Broome Courthouse Markets — Held in the gardens of the Broome Courthouse. These markets offer local produce, crafts, and international food stalls. They operate every Saturday year-round, and on Sundays during the dry season.
• —Japanese and Chinese Cemeteries — These cemeteries document the contributions of the diverse pearling workforce in Broome's early period.

The dry season, from May to October, is the best time to visit Broome. Temperatures range from 17°C to 30.8°C, with clear skies and low humidity. This period is suitable for outdoor activities and whale watching (July to September). The "Staircase to the Moon" phenomenon also occurs between April and October. The wet season, from November to April, brings temperatures between 25°C and 33.6°C, with high humidity and heavy, short rainfalls, especially from January to March. This period can include flooding and cyclones, and is generally less suitable for travel.

Broome International Airport (BME) has daily flights to Perth (2.5 hours) and less frequent connections to Darwin, Melbourne, and Sydney. Most international travelers connect via Perth.

Broome is flat, making it suitable for walking or cycling. The Broome Explorer Bus operates daily between Cable Beach, Town Beach, and Chinatown. A 24-hour pass costs 15 AUD, and a 72-hour pass is 35 AUD. A standard car is sufficient for town exploration, but a 4WD is recommended for trips to areas like the Bungle Bungle Range or for driving on Cable Beach. Parking is generally available. Supermarkets are available for supplies.