A guide to the best beaches in and near Broome

hero media
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.
See all articles
hero media

The ultimate Margaret River road trip itinerary for food & wine lovers

Time your visit to Margaret River just right, and you can spend the ultimate weekend wining, dining and exploring the region with Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover.

Wine, world-class produce, surf, sun and beaches: it’s an alluring combination. And the reason so many pin the Margaret River region high on their travel hit-lists. There’s drawcard after drawcard to the southwestern corner of Western Australia, and the Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover food and wine festival showcases the best of it over the course of one weekend in November. It’s never been easier to sip, see and savour the Margaret River region.

In partnership with Pair’d Margaret River Region, Range Rover invites you on a seven-day itinerary of refined adventure, where luxury and exploration go hand in hand. It’s the perfect WA road trip, and there’s no better way to do it than in a Range Rover.

Day 1

the pool at Pullman Bunker Bay
Check into Pullman Bunker Bay.

There’s no more popular West Australian road trip route than that between Perth and the Margaret River Region. It’s an easily digestible, three-hour drive, with worthy pit stops along the way.

Make the first of them one hour and 15 minutes in, at Lake Clifton. Here, find a 2000-year-old living thrombolite reef. Drive for a further 40 minutes and chance meeting some of Bunbury’s dolphin population at Koombana Bay.

Pullman Bunker Bay is the final stop, just over three hours south of Perth. This beachfront, five-star resort is the ultimate base for exploring the Margaret River Wine region.

Day 2

After a leisurely morning breakfast with an ocean view, start your Range Rover and head towards the Dunsborough town centre. Browsing the decidedly coastal-themed goods of the town’s many independent boutiques is a great way to while away the hours, breaking up the sartorial with an artisan gelato snack stop, or some good old-fashioned Australian bakery fare.

Leave room; you’ll need it for the Good Natured Gathering  dinner at Wayfinder. Indulge in a four-course feast by chef Felipe Montiel, which uses produce from the winery’s market garden to enhance a selection of sustainably sourced seafood and meat. But food is just the support act. It’s organic wine that’s the star of the show, generously poured and expertly paired to each dish.

Day 3

Settle in for cabernet at Cape Mentelle Winery.

With a grand total of 20 wines from vintage 2022 to try, it’s a good thing Cape Mentelle’s International Cabernet Tasting kicks off early. Make your way to the estate for a 10:00 AM start, where a global selection of wines will be poured blind, before a long lunch by Tiller Dining is served.

Given that the Margaret River is responsible for more than 20 per cent of Australia’s fine wine production, it’s only right to delve into it while in the area.

Continue exploring the region via taste and terroir aboard Alison Maree, a whale-watching catamaran, as you cruise Geographe Bay . Admire the rolling green hills and crisp white beaches of Quindalup in sunset’s golden light, all the while sipping through the Clairault Streicker catalogue and dining on canapes.

For a more substantial dinner, venture into Busselton for a seven-course British x Australian mash-up , courtesy of Brendan Pratt (Busselton Pavilion) and Oliver Kent (Updown Farmhouse, UK). They’ll be putting their rustic yet refined spin on the likes of local marron, wagyu and abalone – championing the simple beauty of the world-class ingredients.

Day 4

Pair'd Beach Club
Elevate your dining experiences at Pair’d X Range Rover Beach Club.

Wrap your fingers around a wine glass and wiggle your toes into the sand at Pair’d Beach Club x Range Rover on Meelup Beach. Sit down to an intimate wine session with sommelier Cyndal Petty – or a four-course feast by Aaron Carr of Yarri – and revel in the open-air beach club, bar and restaurant’s laidback coastal vibe. It’s a whole new way to experience one of the region’s most renowned beaches.

Follow up a day in the sun with a casual Italian party at Mr Barvel Wines . Purchase wines –including the elusive, sold-out Nebbia – by the glass and enjoy canapes with the towering Karri forest as a backdrop.

If you’d prefer to keep it local, head to Skigh Wines for the New Wave Gathering , where the region’s independent wine makers and their boundary-pushing wines will be on show. Street-style eats, a DJ and complimentary wine masterclasses complete the experience.

Day 5

pair'd Grand Tasting
Taste your way through Howard Park Wines. (Image: C J Maddock)

Spend the morning at your leisure, driving the winding roads through the Boranup Karri forest in your Range Rover. Soak in the views at Contos Beach, and call into the small cheese, chocolate and preserve producers along the way.

Make your next stop Howard Park Wines for The Grand Tasting presented by Singapore Airlines . Numerous wine labels will be pouring their catalogues over four hours, accompanied by food from chefs Matt Moran and Silvia Colloca, with live opera providing the soundtrack.

Cap off a big weekend with one last hurrah at Busselton Pavilion. Six ‘local legends’ – chefs Brendan Pratt (Busselton Pavilion), Mal Chow (Chow’s Table), Aaron Carr (Yarri), Ben Jacob (Lagoon Yallingup), Corey Rozario (Dahl Daddies) and Laura Koentjoro (Banksia Tavern) – will be preparing a dish each. Dance the night away as vinyl spins and the sun sets on another day.

Day 6

Ngilgi Cave western australia
Head underground. (Image: Tourism WA)

After a busy few days of wining and dining, it’s wise to observe a rest day. There’s no easier task than unwinding in the Margaret River Region, also famous for its high concentration of world-class beaches.

Relax on the grassy knoll as you watch the region’s most experienced surfers braving the World Surf League break at Surfer’s Point, or don your own wetsuit and try out one of Gracetown’s more beginner-friendly waves. Swimmers will find their Eden at Meelup Beach, Eagle Bay, or Point Piquet, where the sand is brilliantly white and the water as still as a backyard swimming pool.

Not into sun, sand, and surf? Head underground at Mammoth Cave, just one of the region’s many stalactite-filled caves.

Day 7

Burnt Ends event at Pair'd
Farewell the Margaret River.

Pack up your Range Rover with new favourite wines and newfound memories, ready for the three-hour journey back to Perth.

Prebook your discovery journey through the south-west corner of Western Australia with Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover.

Pair’d Margaret River Region is proudly owned by the Western Australian Government, through Tourism WA.