A guide to the best beaches in and near Broome

Leah McLennanBy Leah McLennan
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Broome may be famous for its pearling history and Shinju Matsuri Festival, but many visitors are really there for the beaches.

Naming the best beaches in Broome could actually be a list of the best beaches in Australia. This Kimberley gem is one of the best beach-filled small towns in Australia. And with guaranteed sunshine and no rain over Broome’s long warm dry season (usually from May to October) you’ll have plenty of opportunity to enjoy perfect holiday weather.

We have just one warning: while you can drive on many Broome beaches with your vehicle, many locals and visitors alike have lost their cars to the rapidly changing tides.

With that out of the way, and in no particular order (except for the obvious number one spot), these are the best beaches in Broome.

1. Cable Beach

With a view unfurling across the Indian Ocean, Cable Beach boasts 22 kilometres of powdery white sand and dreamy turquoise water.

powdery white sand and dreamy turquoise water of Cable Beach, Broome
Admire stunning views of Cable Beach. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Just a ten-minute drive from Broome’s retail district, Cable Beach derived its name from the telegraph cable that connected Australia’s north-west to the rest of the world in 1889. But instead of keeping you hooked in to the stresses of everyday life, Cable Beach invites you to disconnect and immerse yourself in the tropical vibe.

incredible sunset views on Cable Beach, Broome
Don’t miss out on the incredible sunset views at Cable Beach. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Smack bang in front of the Broome Surf Life Saving Club and Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa, grab a beach umbrella from the little Beach Hut and spend the day in a jelly-like state. If you can tear yourself away from the sunlounger, why not try your hand at boogie boarding, surfing or stand-up paddleboarding?

As the sun sinks, tick off an iconic camel ride along Cable Beach, or drive ‘north of the rocks’ and spend the evening sinking bubbles by the beach. This area is also an ‘optional clothing’ beach, so if you’re feeling warm, why not cool down in your birthday suit?

camels at sunset on Cable Beach, Broome
Sign up for an iconic camel ride at dusk. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Lifeguards are on duty from May to October and it’s recommended to swim between the flags, which are located in front of the Broome Surf Life Saving Club. Top-notch facilities – toilets, showers and change rooms – are located near the main entrance of the beach.

A little insider tip: they’ll be hard to spot without taking a tour, but at low tide you’ll find several genuine dinosaur footprints preserved in the rocks of Cable Beach, almost directly down from Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa .

camels on Cable Beach, Broome
Camels can walk a perfectly straight line on Cable Beach. (Image; Tourism Western Australia and @from.miles.away on Instagram and @mattfrommilesaway on Facebook)

2. Town Beach

True to its name, Town Beach is close to the centre of this historic pearling town. Framed by mangrove-covered rock flats, this family-friendly beach has pink sand and a mesmerizing view of the turquoise waters of Roebuck Bay.

During low tide, venture out onto the exposed rock flats to find a world of tiny pools teeming with scuttling crabs and small marine creatures.

a scenic view of Town Beach, Broome
Bask in tropical vibes at Town Beach. (Image: Alexus71)

Bring a picnic rug and shoot-the-breeze, or on a low tide (aka 1.3m or lower) go in search of the remnants of flying boat wrecks from World War II. With sturdy footwear and a sense of adventure, you can squelch across the exposed seabed to reach the barnacle-encrusted flying boats.

Town Beach also boasts a fun water play area with sculptures of sea snakes, swordfish and stingrays, and kids will love walking out onto the jetty. As the sun sinks, buzzing night markets pop up on Thursdays and on selected dates when Staircase to the Moon takes place.

With fabulous facilities (think clean toilets and plenty of parking) what else do you need?

people enjoying on Town Beach, Broome
Go frolicking on Town Beach. (Image: yaruman5)

3. Gantheaume Point / Minyirr

Here’s one for the dinosaur lovers. Around a 10-minute drive from Broome’s centre, Gantheaume Point, a promontory adjoining Cable Beach, beckons with its marvellous red rocks and striking blue water.

The Gantheaume Point cliffs and lighthouse feature a short track with interpretive signage to reach casts of dinosaur footprints.

a colourful landscape of Gantheaume Point, Broome
Gantheaume Point casts colourful hues from above. (Image: Tourism Western Australia and @ospreycreative)

The real 130-million-year-old dinosaur footprints are preserved in reef rock at the base of the cliff. Here, the true magic unfolds. You can run your fingers along the intricately textured surfaces and be gobsmacked at the size of each footprint.

For morning walkers, there’s a handy one-per-day public bus that will drop you at Gantheaume Point. From there stroll the seven kilometres back to Cable Beach and grab some breakfast.

At Gantheaume Point you’ll need to be self-sufficient. Bring a hat and water, and be aware that there are no lifeguards on duty.

Rock Pools at Gantheaume Point, Broome
Dip in the rock pools at Gantheaume Point, Broome. (Image: Tourism Western Australia and @cjmaddock)

4. Reddell Beach / Yinara

Hang out with the locals at Reddell Beach, a 1.7-kilometre stretch between Broome Port and Gantheaume Point. This lesser-known beach is accessible via the unsealed Kavite Road, and it feels like you’re a million miles from Broome town when you scramble down the rugged sand cliffs to reach the beach.

a scenic view of Reddell Beach, Broome Dinosaur Adventure Tours, Broome
Wander across the rugged, cinematic landscape of Reddell Beach. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Throw out the picnic rug and some snacks, then take your time relaxing among the red rock formations that stand like sculptures overlooking the Indian Ocean. You’ll soon see why locals love this spot when you dive into the clear blue water.

a scenic view of Reddell Beach, Broome
Red pindan is bordering the white sandy Reddell Beach. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

You’ll soon understand why dinosaur tours exist in Broome, when you go hunting for yet more dinosaur footprints here. You’ll find them to the north end, and only visible at extremely low tides (the rocks can be slippery and if you have kids it’s safer to hunt footprints on Cable Beach or Gantheaume Point.

dinosaur Footprints at Reddell Beach, Broome
Spot dinosaur footprints on Reddell Beach, Broome. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

5. Coconut Well / Goolarabooloo Millibinyarri

For a clean and quiet stretch of sand, it’s hard to find better than Coconut Well, 15 kilometres north of Broome. Hidden from the world, thanks to a 4WD-only access road, you’ll need to hike over sand dunes before reaching this far-flung extension of famous Cable Beach.

On the receding tide, there’s a huge collection of rock pools to float in – each filled with turquoise water and the odd octopus. Take your time exploring these natural bathtubs and you’ll spot all manner of sea creatures in your own private aquarium.

If you don’t want to go home, there are a bunch of otherworldly Airbnb’s at Coconut Wells.

turquoise blue waters on Coconut Well near Willie Creek
Laze around the dreamy stretch of sand on Coconut Well. (Image: Willie Creek Pearls)

6. Entrance Point

Hang out with the local fishers at Entrance Point, a serene beach near Broome Port with unique rock formations and abundant opportunities for exploration. While it may not be ideal for swimming, Entrance Point has some photogenic wind-eroded rocks that are reminiscent of Nature’s Window in Western Australia’s Kalbarri.

For travellers hiring a boat or bringing their own, the two launching ramps with ample parking allow easy access to Roebuck Bay and the Cable Beach area.

When hunger strikes, head to the Broome Fishing Club and order the fish and chips (cooked to golden perfection).

Leah McLennan
Leah McLennan is a freelance writer based in Darwin. She was a journalist in Sydney for over a decade and counts her time as travel editor for Australian Associated Press as one of the highlights of her career. From exploring remote campsites in the Top End with her family, to seeking out new art galleries in faraway cities, she’ll grab an adventurous or arty travel experience within her reach.
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Your Mandurah guide: art, dining & dolphins await in WA’s coastal gem

    Monique CeccatoBy Monique Ceccato
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    Discover the perfect road trip stopover between Perth and wine country.

    Western Australia punches above its weight when it comes to coastal hot spots, but no other town or city has seen a tourism boom quite like Mandurah. Named Australia’s Top Tourism Town in 2023 , it’s the relaxed, beachside break you’ve been searching for. And it’s perfectly placed, sitting between Margaret River and Perth, as it’s just a 55-minute drive from Perth’s CBD. Which is why we’ve put together your ultimate Mandurah guide.

    Aerial view of Mandurah.
    Plan your perfect coastal escape to Australia’s Top Tourism Town of 2023.

    The best things to do in Mandurah

    Wetlands and rivers, ocean and inlet; Mandurah’s laid-back lifestyle centres around the aquatic. Its waterways cover twice the ground of Sydney Harbour – measuring some 134 square kilometres in total – and form a unique environment for oceanic and estuarine flora and fauna to thrive.

    In the city’s estuary lives perhaps the region’s most famed inhabitants – a resident pod of 100 bottlenose dolphins – and the inlet’s silty bottom is home to the prized blue manna crab. Spot the former breaching and playing on an hour-long dolphin cruise through the channels, or try your hand at catching the latter by wading through the estuary’s shallows with a scoop net in hand.

    While swimming at the circular Kwillena Gabi Pool, chance encounters with the local wildlife aren’t uncommon. The sheltered estuarine pool takes its name from the traditional custodians of the land, the Bindjareb people, and directly translates to ‘dolphin waters’. Jutting out of the eastern foreshore, it’s enclosed by a ring of net-free floating pontoons, which allow the dolphins to swim freely through the attraction.

    If that’s a little too close for comfort, book a kayak tour with Down Under Discoveries . The dolphins have been known to cruise beside the paddle-powered crafts, which are a fun, family-friendly way to explore the city’s inner waterways.

    Dolphins swimming in Mandurah.
    Watch dolphins glide by as you explore Mandurah.

    You don’t have to be on the water to appreciate the coastal city’s aquatic beauty, with 600 kilometres of cycleways and scenic walking trails traversing Mandurah’s estuary, inlet and coast.

    Follow the 30-kilometre coastal trail and you’ll come face to face with one of Thomas Dambo’s headline-making ‘Giants of Mandurah  sculptures, Santi Ikto, along the way. There are five sculptures around Mandurah in total, hidden among gum-filled reserves or sitting sentry over the water.

    Head to the Mandurah Visitor Centre to pick up a map to pinpoint their exact location and download the traveller’s companion to learn more about the sights along the way. Or join a three-hour e-bike tour from The Bike Kiosk and you’ll stop by two of the giants – Santi Ikto and Yaburgurt Winjan Cirkelstone – as you sightsee central Mandurah.

    The towering Santi Ikto, one of Thomas Dambo’s iconic Giants of Mandurah.
    Meet Santi Ikto, one of the legendary Giants of Mandurah.

    Where to eat in Mandurah

    Mandurah’s culinary scene reflects its laid-back lifestyle, with large, honest meals and locally brewed beer. After visiting Lake Clifton’s 2000-year-old thrombolites, head to the peppermint and gum-shaded beer garden at Thorny Devil Brewery . Tuck into a platter of house-smoked meats and an ale pulled fresh from the tanks. Closer to town and right on the waterfront is Boundary Island Brewery ; here, woodfired pizza, pub-style seafood dishes and easy-drinking brews are centre stage.

    On a Murray River Lunch Cruise , the focus is as much on the environment around you as the food you’re filling up on. Help yourself to the colourful salads and freshly cooked meats on the buffet as you meander up the winding, jarrah tree-lined waterway, stopping at the heritage Cooper’s Mill for a quick walking tour along the way.

    Keep your eyes trained on the Creery Wetlands as you pass – you’ll spot much of the region’s migratory birdlife, and, as always, might see the playful bottlenose dolphins in the inlet.

    The most memorable meals aren’t necessarily always the fanciest, and lunch aboard a self-skippered Mandurah BBQ Boat is a testament to that. All food and beverage prep is left up to you as you cruise through the canals, sausages and steaks sizzling away on the central hot plate.

    If seafood is more your kind of fare, board the Wild Seafood Experience , where dolphin cruise meets long table lunch. Eight courses of crab, crayfish and scallops await.

    A table filled with plates of crab, crayfish, and scallops.
    Dine on the water with eight courses of ocean-fresh fare.

    Where to stay in Mandurah

    With so many waterways comes abundant waterside stays. Like the self-contained Seashells Mandurah on the shores of Comet Bay. The calm, oceanic outlook from the one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and villas is as close to Maldivian as Mandurah gets. Families especially enjoy the property, bouncing between the protected cove and the beachfront pool for endless hours of fun.

    Seashells Mandurah; on the shores of Comet Bay.
    Stay right by the sea.

    The Sebel Mandurah , just a hop, skip and jump from the Mandurah Ocean Marina, has a different outlook entirely, overlooking the estuary and lively foreshore on the other side. It’s also within walking distance of the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre , cinema and a swathe of waterfront bars and eateries.

    But you can’t get any closer to the water than on a vessel from Mandurah Houseboats . You don’t need a skipper’s ticket to hire one, nor do you need comprehensive boating experience; just a full driver’s license and your undivided attention during the pre-departure tuition will do. Then you’re free to take to the estuaries and tributaries for a few nights of peaceful rest, surrounded by the very element that makes Mandurah so special.

    A houseboat cruising in Mandurah along the river
    Captain a houseboat to explore Mandurah at your own pace.

    Plan your next WA getaway in Mandurah.