Things to do in The Kimberley
-
A
Aarli Bar
Like a cosy trattoria with outdoor seating under frangipanis, Aarli Bar isn’t actually a bar – it’s BYO only. What it does have though is large portions of modern Med-influenced tapas as well as authentic wood-fired pizzas and, of course, its speciality, whole fresh fish (‘aarli ’ means ‘fish’ in the Aboriginal Bardi language).
reviewed
-
Zebra Rock Gallery
Zebra Rock Gallery, on the Ord River about 15km from Kununurra, produces jewellery and sculptures from the unique zebra rock found around Argyle Downs Station.
reviewed
-
Point
In a prime sunset-watching spot overlooking a jetty, this BYO place is Derby’s best, with delicious seafood. The barramundi and croc steaks are popular. It also does takeaway.
reviewed
-
PumpHouse
Idyllically situated on Lake Kununurra, the PumpHouse's innovative dishes feature fine produce – try the rump with blue cheese and pine nuts, or the oven-baked pork fillet wrapped in speck. Watch the catfish swarm should a morsel (accidentally, of course!) slip off the verandah.
reviewed
-
B
Aarli
Meaning 'fish' in Bardi, the Aarli is cooking up some of the most inventive and tasty titbits in Broome. The Med-Asian fusion tapas are excellent with a cold beer or chilled wine, and the pizzas are simple and scrumptious, but, really, you want to share the signature baked whole fish ($45) because it is superb.
reviewed
-
Broome Bird Observatory
This wonderful bird observatory on the Roebuck Bay shores, 25km from Broome, is a vital staging post for hundreds of migratory species, including 49 waders (nearly a quarter of the world’s total species). An incredible 800,000 birds arrive each year, some travelling 12,000km to get here. Join an excellent two-hour tour ($75); a full-day tour of the freshwater lakes ($150; BYO lunch); or do a five-day all-inclusive course ($1000 including transfers, accommodation and meals). Binoculars available to visitors.
reviewed
-
C
Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park
Right behind Cable Beach is the legacy of Australia's original crocodile-hunter-turned-conservationist. Visit during feeding time. There's also the Malcolm Douglas Wilderness Wildlife Park outside Broome.
reviewed
-
Malcolm Douglas Wildlife Park
Entering through the jaws of a giant crocodile, visitors arrive at this 30-hectare animal refuge and wildlife park opened by Malcolm Douglas in 2005. This naturally designed park, 16km north of Broome, is home to dozens of crocs at two billabongs (feedings at 3pm), as well as kangaroos, cassowaries, emus, dingoes, jabirus and numerous bird species.
reviewed
-
D
Pearl Luggers
Offers guided tours covering Broome's tragic pearling past are on offer here. It's free to just look over the boats.
reviewed
-
E
Manbana Aquaculture Hatchery & Discovery Centre
Manbana Aquaculture Hatchery & Discovery Centre is Australia's first indigenous-owned commercial aquaculture hatchery and a discovery centre exploring the role the Kimberley waters have played in the lives of local Aboriginal people. Learn how they fished and pearled, get close to a variety of live marine species, and feed barramundi!
reviewed
Advertisement
-
F
Courthouse
The elegant old teak Courthouse was built in 1889 to house staff from the Eastern Extension Australasian and China Telegraph Company which linked Broome to Java by an underwater cable - it came ashore at Cable Beach, ran across the current airport site, and finished here! Markets are held in the Courthouse gardens every Saturday.
reviewed
-
G
Matso’s Broome Brewery
There’s no better spot in Broome to kick back with a beer than Matso’s wide verandahs overlooking Roebuck Bay. The wonderful award-winning beers are brewed on site – the Monsoonal Blonde is sensational – and there’s live music on Sundays in the courtyard from 4pm to 7pm, and occasional DJs and bands on weekend nights.
reviewed
-
H
Paspaley Pearls
Paspaley started Australia's first cultured-pearl farm 420km north of Broome at Kuri Bay in the 1950s.
reviewed
-
I
Black Pearl
The Med and Mod-Oz cuisine at this stylish BYO eatery can be a bit hit and miss - as can the service. But when both are good, they're great, and when they're not, they're sloppy. Visit on a good day and score a table under the shade sails overlooking Roebuck Bay and you're sure to risk a second visit.
reviewed
-
J
Willie Creek Pearl Farm
This place gives a fascinating insight into modern pearl farming with compelling presentations on oyster insemination and a boat ride on the azure-coloured estuary. You can visit by half-day bus tour from Broome, or you can self-drive (4WD recommended) and join the two-hour tour at the farm.
reviewed
-
K
Japanese Cemetery
A number of cemeteries testify to the multicultural makeup of Broome society. On Frederick St, there's a Japanese Cemetery with 919 graves (mostly pearl divers). Unfortunately at the time of research, over 100 Japanese graves had been sadly desecrated during the Shinju Matsuri festival.
reviewed
-
L
Zanders
Boasting a fantastic sunset spot overlooking the ocean, Zanders serves tasty seafood, excellent salads and a few international selections such as Moroccan lamb rump and prawns in red curry with coconut milk. There’s outdoor seating and a traditional fish-and-chips take-away next door.
reviewed
-
Cape Leveque and Aboriginal Community 4WD Tour with Optional Scenic Flight from Broome
by Viator
Take in the spectacular Dampier Peninsula from the air! Combine a scenic flight with an adventurous 4WD trip to Cape Leveque. Stop at a remote Aboriginal commun…
Not LP reviewed
from USD$262.80 -
Krim Benterrak
Look out for the work of Broome's greatest talent, Moroccan-Australian Krim Benterrak a Kimberley resident of some 20 years, who captures the magical colour and light of Broome better than anyone. Serious art lovers can see his work in his home studio by appointment.
reviewed
-
M
Kailis Pearls
If you're looking for lustrous pearls, two pioneering family businesses produce the best quality pearls in the most stunning settings. Having established Broome's first underwater pearl farm on a Roebuck Bay seabed, Kailis Pearls creates elegant understated designs.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Broome Half-Day Tour with Optional Cable Beach Sunset Camel Ride
by Viator
One of the best ways to see the spectacular sunset at Cable Beach is from the back of a camel! This afternoon tour of Broome gives you an insight into Broome's …
Not LP reviewed
from USD$87.92 -
N
Mirima National Park
A short stroll east of town (1.5km), this national park is a stunning area of rugged sedimentary formations that look like mini Bungle Bungles. The 350-million-year-old sandstone rock has taken shape by uplift over the past 20 million years.
reviewed
-
O
Old Derby Gaol
The Old Derby Gaol, next to the police station, is the town’s oldest building, dating to 1906, and is a grim reminder of the hostility and violence between the Indigenous people and European settlers that racked the town from the late 1800s.
reviewed
-
P
Old Zoo Café
This small, charming bistro has outdoor tables and delectable fusion fare, with tasty tapas selections (including crab croquettes, scallops and crocodile) as well as nicely presented grills and seafood. Fully licensed (try the fresh mango cocktail).
reviewed
-
Q
Wharf Restaurant
Down at Broome's port you can settle back for a long, lazy seafood lunch with waterside ambience and the chance of a whale sighting. OK, it's pricey and the service is hit and miss, but the wine's cold and the chilli blue swimmer crab is sensational. Just wait until after 2pm before ordering oysters.
reviewed
