Camels on Cable Beach
Graeme & Margaret Herald / Explore Australia Publishing

Broome is distinguished by its pearling history, cosmopolitan character and startling natural assets: white sandy beaches, turquoise water and red soils. The discovery of pearling grounds off the coast in the 1880s led to the foundation of the Broome township in 1883. A melting pot of nationalities flocked to its shores in the hope of making a fortune. Japanese, Malays and Koepangers joined the Aboriginal pearl divers, while the Chinese became the shopkeepers in town. By 1910 Broome was the world's leading pearling centre. In those early, heady days, over 400 pearling luggers operated out of Broome. The industry suffered when world markets collapsed in 1914, but stabilised in the 1970s as cultured-pearl farming developed. Today remnants of Broome's exotic past are everywhere, with the town's multicultural society ensuring a dynamic array of cultural influences. Broome's beaches are ideal for swimming and there is good fishing year-round.

Visitor Information

Cnr Bagot St and Broome Rd; (08) 9192 2222

www.broomevisitorcentre.com.au

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MAP DATA © PSMA, GEOSCIENCE AUSTRALIA,
AND EXPLORE AUSTRALIA PUBLISHING PTY LTD

MAP DATA © PSMA, GEOSCIENCE AUSTRALIA,
AND EXPLORE AUSTRALIA PUBLISHING PTY LTD

Weather

BROOME
Few showers and thunderstorms.
(27°C / 33°C )
Climate Chart

Towns nearby

Derby  164 km
Fitzroy Crossing  353 km
Marble Bar  441 km
Port Hedland  462 km
Halls Creek  575 km
Roebourne  619 km
Karratha  645 km
Newman  652 km
Wyndham  684 km
Tom Price  700 km
Kununurra  733 km




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