11 AWESOME THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS IN BROOME
Plus, where to eat and stay!
Beautiful Broome, where the red soil meets the turquoise ocean. We love this tropical oasis, and we’re not the only ones. Broome has captured the hearts of families far and wide with its laid-back charm and bucket loads of family-friendly activities.
Imagine beautiful white-sand beaches, red-rust cliffs and a melting pot of local and international cuisine. You could spend your days simply soaking up the sun on Cable Beach while the kids run amok or you could light your sense of adventure, get off the beaten track and feast your eyes on a variety of natural wonders. Broome really is more than just a destination, it’s a feeling and one we think everyone needs to experience.
This guide will list 11 of the most awesome things to do with kiddos in Broome, plus uncover some of the best places to eat and stay.
Try walking in the footsteps of dinosaurs, ride a camel as you watch one of Australia’s most magical sunsets, hold a baby crocodile, explore the Kimberleys, or witness the natural phenomenon known as the Staircase to the Moon. You don’t need to look far to find ways to entertain the kiddos in Broome. Let’s take a look at some of the top things to do!
1. Meet the local crocs
Walk through the jaws of a crocodile (literally) and into the Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park to get up close and personal with some of Australia’s largest crocs. The kids will love holding baby crocodiles after being taken on a guided tour, watching the daily feedings and learning about these prehistoric creatures who call the Kimberley home. You can also see an array of colourful birdlife, a cassowary, kangaroos and wallabies, as well as emus, jabirus, snakes and lizards.
Where: Broome Road, Roebuck Bay.
When: Open daily from 2pm to 5pm. The crocodile feeding tour starts at 3pm.
Cost: Entry price for children aged 5-15 years is $20, price for adults is $35 and a family ticket (2A2C) is $90.
More info: Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park
2. Watch the sun go down at Cable Beach
Famous for its spectacular sunsets, Cable Beach is a 22-km stretch of white sand and beautifully blue water. Just a stone’s throw from Broome, it’s the perfect place to find your own slice of paradise and enjoy. It’s also a popular spot to take your 4wd down near the water’s edge. Try and get there early, well before sunset, to find a spot. Also, be aware clothing is optional north of the beach access road.
Where: Cable Beach, Broome.
Cost: Free.
Picture: Tourism WA
3. Watch a movie under the stars
Take the kids to the world’s oldest outdoor picture garden to watch one of the latest family flicks. Located in Chinatown, Sun Pictures is a real one-of-a-kind cinema experience where you can relax on one of the deck chairs or bring your own blanket and sit on the grass in front of the screen. Check out their website (www.broomemovies.com.au) to see what’s on and check times. Movies for the little ones usually start at 6.15pm with adult flicks on about 8.30pm.
Where: 8 Carnarvon Street, Broome.
Cost: Tickets for adults are $18.50, children (aged 3-15) are $13 or you could buy a family ticket (two adults and 2 children) for $55.
More info: broomemovies.com.au
4. Take in the Roebuck Bay views
Close to the town of Broome and Town Beach, Roebuck Bay is a must-see attraction of striking colour contrasts. At low tide, the milky turquoise water glows and reveals kilometres of red mudflats. At this time of the day, you can walk endlessly into the horizon. It’s a haven for kids who love searching for mud flat treasures.
Where: Roebuck Bay, Broome.
Cost: Free.
5. Take a tour at Willie Creek Pearl Farm
If visiting a pearl farm is on your bucket list, then this is the place to go. Perfect for all ages, you’ll learn first-head about the process of seeding and harvesting an oyster through to the final creation of a stunning gem. You’ll also learn about the history of pearling in Broome.
Where: Willie Creek Pearl Farm is located 38km out of Broome and is reached by a dirt road. It’s best to call ahead on (08) 9192 0000 for the latest track information. A 4WD is also recommended. If you don’t have a 4WD, there a tours that can pick you up from your accommodation in town.
Cost: Tour prices start at $75 per person.
More info: Willie Creek Pearls
6. Go for a camel ride
We couldn’t put together a list of things to do in Broome without including camel rides along the famous Cable Beach. This must-do experience is one of WA’s most iconic attractions and for good reason. Watching the sunset while sitting on the back of these friendly creatures is an experience you won’t forget. Most rides run for about an hour but some operators offer 30-min sunset tours which are perfect for little ones who can’t sit still for too long.
Where: Cable Beach, Broome.
Cost: Adult prices range from $80 - $110, children (0-4years) prices are about $20.
More info: Check out each operator’s website below for specials:
Picture: Tourism WA
7. Imagine a time when dinosaurs roamed
Put on your palaeontologist hat and head to Gantheaume Point to search for dinosaur footprints. Yes, that’s right - real-life, prehistoric dino footprints that are more than 130 million years old and preserved in reef rock! You’ll need to make sure you head at low tide to see the prints at the bottom of the cliff. But don’t worry If you’re there when the tide is up, you’ll still love the views of the turquoise water against the deep red cliffs and you can spend the day at the beach area which adjoins Cable Beach. You can take your 4WD on the beach there and launch a boat there as well.
Where: Visit the Dinosaur Coast Management website for info on tips on how to find the footprints in other areas around Broome as well.
Cost: Free to search yourself or you can book a Broome Hovercraft Day Tour with Broome Dinosaur Adventures.
More info: Where To Find Dinosaur Tracks (Footprints) | Broome WA (dinosaurcoast.org.au)
8.Visit Mars on Earth
If you feel like a 4WD adventure, then 40km north of Broome is one of the most stunning places you’ll ever see. You’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve landed on Mars here. There are campsites available here overlooking the striking cliffs and Indian Ocean but it’s still worth a day trip if you’re in Broome.
Where: James Price Point is about 50km north of Broome and is part of the Kimberleys.
Cost: Free.
9. Let the kids burn energy at Town Beach
For families with younger kids, a visit to Town Beach should probably be close to the top of the list. The area has just been given an upgrade with a new nature playground featuring a wooden replica jetty, boat and climbing logs, trampolines, scooter track, half basketball court and outdoor gym. There is also an older playground, splash park and café next to plenty of green space overlooking the beautiful milky-blue waters of Roebuck Bay.
Where: 90 Robinson St, Broome.
Cost: Free.
Picture: Tourism WA
10. By amazed by the staircase to the moon
The moon puts on quite the show along the Pilbara and Kimberley coastline when it rises across the rippled mudflats creating what looks like a staircase of light leading to the moon. There are just a few spots around Broome to see this incredible natural phenomenon including Town Beach where The Staircase Markets are held each full moon. Enjoy walking under the stars around food stalls while listening to live music before witnessing the must-be-seen-to-be-believed sight. Try and get there early to find a spot to park.
Where: Town Beach, Broome.
Cost: Free.
Picture: Tourism WA
11. Take a tour to the Horizontal Falls
Another display of Mother Nature’s incredible power is the Horizontal Falls or Horries as the locals call it. You could take a jet boat ride through tonnes of water that has squeezed its way through a gaps in the mountain ranges. You can also see it from above on a helicopter flight. There are a number of tour operators to choose from. Just keep in mind that some only allow passengers above age four.
Where: Kimberley region.
Cost: Tours are priced around $900 for adults, $800 for children above four and about $3000 for a family of four.
More info: Horizontal Falls Tours
Whether its Aussie pub grub, delicious asian flavours found in Broome’s very own Chinatown, a top cocktail or just a good hit of caffeine, there are plenty of fantastic places to find something scrumptious to eat and drink in Broome with kiddos in tow.
Matso’s Brewery
Fancy a mango beer? Or maybe a chilly ginger beer? Well no matter what you prefer, there is definitely something to tickle your taste buds at this award-winning brewery and restaurant. Matso’s may be the most remote brewery in Australia but it sure knows how to stand out. Sit on the verandah and let the kids run around while you pick from a menu designed to marry each tasty dish with one of their beers made on site. If you’re feeling really adventurous, try the Slow Death Buffalo Wings labeled on the menu as ‘probably the hottest in Australia’.
Where: 60 Hamersley St, Broome.
More info: matsos.com.au
The Good Cartel
What started as a small Mexican food truck in 2014, is now an alfresco dining and drive-thru restaurant that has become a favourite among the locals. They serve tasty burgers, rice bowls, breakfast burritos and great coffee made with beans from Perth-based coffee roasters, Pound Coffee Roastery.
Where: 3 Weld Street, Broome.
More info: The Good Cartel - Menu | Facebook
Dragonfly Café
If you’re looking for good coffee and a casual, country-style setting, then head to the Chinatown precinct and look for the bright red wooden doors. We hear these guys also make a great mango smoothie so the kids will be happy too.
Where: 3/6 Carnarvon St, Broome.
More info: 08 9192 3222
Town Beach Café
This casual beachfront café overlooks the turquoise-hued Town Beach and is next to playgrounds and a water park. Open for breakfast, brunch and lunch, there are tables inside and out, or you could bring a towel or rug and sit under a tree with your cuppa while the kids play.
Where: Robinson St, Broome.
More info: 08 9193 5585
Sunset Bar and Grill
It’s hard to beat a meal or a drink overlooking iconic Cable Beach. The restaurant is part of the Cable Beach Club Resort and Spa. While dinner bookings are reserved for guests, it is open to all for breakfast and serves a full buffet menu with plenty of choice. For $36 a head, you’ll get a cuppa, fresh fruit along with a main meal and priceless morning views.
Where: 1 Cable beach Rd E, Djugun.
More info: 08 9192 0470
Broome SLSC
If you want something a little more casual, then why not grab a beer or a glass of wine at the Broome Surf Life Saving Club. Often a little less busy than the Sunset Bar and Grill but with the same amazing views of Cable Beach. The large grassed area in front is perfect for little ones to run off some steam while you enjoy the last hours of sunlight and golden hour.
Where: Cable Beach, Broome.
More info: broomeslsc.com
You’ll find luxury resorts, glamping tents, self-contained apartments and a nice selection of caravan parks in and around Broome. You’ll also find yourself resetting your own clock to what locals call ‘Broome time’ before you know it!
BROOME TIME: Taking a dip at Broome Beach Resort.
FOR CARAVANS:
Cable Beach Caravan Park
Only a short walk to Cable Beach, this park is very popular with families. The sites are large and shady and one of the major drawcards is the resort-style pool with its own waterfall. It’s Cable Beach’s first caravan park but facilities are still clean and modern. You can also grab breakfast, lunch or snacks at the on-site café plus there is a shop for all essentials.
Where: 8 Millington Rd, Cable Beach.
More info: Cable Beach Caravan Park | Broome
Broome Holiday and Caravan Park
This is the only caravan park in Broome located right on the beach. Stay in a powered site here and you’ll be just steps away from the turquoise waters of Roebuck Bay and a short stroll from the Town Beach Cafe and playground. There are four toilet blocks, coin-operated washing machines, dryers and a dump point nearby.
Where: 91 Walcott St, Broome.
More info: Broome Discovery Parks
RAC Cable Beach
Located just a short stroll from Cable Beach, this shady park is close to restaurants and less than 10-mins drive from the town centre. It has a a range of accommodation options and one of the best parts is the 19m saltwater swimming pool.
Where: 1 Murray Rd, Cable Beach WA 6726
More info: RAC Cable Beach Holiday Park
OTHER OPTIONS:
Broome Beach Resort
This is where we stayed before we bought our caravan. Just a few minutes walk from Cable Beach, this resort offers one, two and three-bedroom apartments. The apartments provide all the creature comforts including air-conditioning, WIFI, cable TV and laundry facilities. Our girls loved the solar-heated outdoor pool which is surrounded by tropical gardens and right next to a barbecue area and gazebo. Plenty of parking is also available. We found our apartment here on Airbnb.
Where: 4 Murray Rd, Cable Beach.
More info: BROOME BEACH RESORT
Eco Beach Resort
It’s an hour’s drive south of Broome, but this multi award-winning resort promises guests an unforgettable Kimberley wilderness experience. You could stay in a luxury safari tent, beach house or villa - all lapping distance from the ocean. Treat yourself at the day spa, try out the complimentary daily yoga, enjoy the waterfront infinity pool or lace up your adventure books and go on a nature walk. Make sure you taste some delicious seasonal fare at Jack’s Bar & Restaurant.
Where: Lot 323 Great Northern Hwy, Broome.
More info: Eco Beach Resort
FOR A BIT OF LUXURY:
Cable Beach Resort and Spa
If you feel like a bit of luxury, this award-winning resort has the pick of the bunch when it comes to location. It overlooks the iconic Cable Beach. But a world-class beach at its doorstep isn’t all this hotel offers. The 245-room resort has four restaurants, day spa, mini golf course, kids pool, adults pool and most importantly a poolside bar! Sounds good to us!
Where: 1 Cable Beach Road, Broome.
More info: Cable Beach Club Resort