The Iconic Camel Rides In Broome Guide

Broome and camel rides go hand-in-hand, here’s what to expect.

There are many tourist traps around the world, and one can’t help but be a little sceptical when everyone is talking about an experience like Broome camel rides. The thing is, I actually loved it.

The camels are (mostly) chill, the tour leaders are very friendly and the views are incredible. For me, it was 40 minutes of rhythmic heaven that made me feel like I’d really experienced Broome – besides which the history of camels in Broome is so fascinating that becoming part of it is truly a bucket list item.

Where can you ride camels in Broome?

Cable Beach is the one and only place to take a camel ride in Broome, and frankly, you couldn’t hope for a more peaceful backdrop. All tour operators will meet guests on the beach, close to Cable Beach Resort & Spa .

Best time of day to ride camels

While a sunset tour is obviously the iconic imagery you’ve seen (as it should be, the oranges, pinks and purples of Cable Beach sunsets are honestly out of this world) and are always booked out weeks in advance, you really shouldn’t discount a morning tour.

On a sunset tour, you’ll get the incredible colours of a WA sunset, and get to watch the beach come to life as others flock to it. Your photos will be incredible, and you will most definitely have social media bragging rights.

However, on a morning tour, you’ll avoid the heat and the crowds. If you’re booking at the last minute, there will most likely still be a spot open, unlike at sunset. Overall, it’s a far more peaceful experience and the vistas are still ‘gram-worthy with 22 kilometres of unusually straight beach stretching out before you. It’ll also be cheaper.

a group riding a camel at sunset, Cable Beach, Broome — Capture the golden hour on the golden sands of Cable Beach. (Image: CJ Maddock)

What to expect on a camel ride

Camels have a reputation for being on the grumpy side, but these ones are (mostly) very well-trained, and seemingly unbothered by carting around random tourists. Having said that, operators may include a less-trained camel in the string to help get them used to it.

This is exactly what happened on my tour and the woman behind me had a minor freakout when her camel broke ranks – an understandable reaction but to be fair it wasn’t really a big deal and he was tied back up in no time. Camels are tied in a line and the group will always have a tour operator leading the sting, walking alongside and bringing up the rear, so they’re ready for mishaps.

a group camel ride on a straight line — The camels are usually pretty good at following the leader. (Image: Kassia Byrnes)

On that note, tour operators will ask for your weight beforehand to make sure none of the camels are given more to carry than they can safely handle, and there are weight limits.

Getting on and off the camels has become almost luxurious now as well, with mounting platforms on the back of operator trucks so you can swing a leg over your camel without the poor thing having to sit down and perform the famously awkward standing back up with you on it.

top view of Cable Beach when riding on a camel — The view from atop a camel is a sight to behold. (Image: Kassia Byrnes)

Top tours to book a camel ride

Traditionally, camel tour operators in Broome have a frosty coexistence. The long-running “camel wars" reached a truce in February 2011 after years of feuding over camel licenses involving public acrimony, slashed tyres, nude photos and even the throwing of camel dung.

After one court ruling allowed all operators the right to conduct business, and another convicted a former cameleer of theft and burglary with a sizeable fine to boot, peace seems to have been restored.

This means that these days you’re welcome to choose from the three current operators without issue.

riding a camel on Cable Beach, Broome — This rhythmic ride is truly an unforgettable experience. (Image: Kassia Byrnes)

1. Red Sun Camels

Red Sun Camels are easy to spot on the beach thanks to their bright red saddle blankets. They operate a morning, sunset and shorter 30-minute pre-sunset tour nearly every day.

For the safety of their camels, they do have a 95-kilo weight limit per person, and a 170-kilo limit power camel (all saddles have two seats).

Staff are bubbly, friendly and really seem to love what they do – even the brand-new staff member from Germany on my tour who never really planned to be working there but now doesn’t want to leave.

The staff will also gladly help you take photos during the tour, going to lengths to get the good angles for you.

a group of tourists riding a camel on Cable Beach, Broome — Experience an enchanting ride with Red Sun Camels. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Cost: From $40
Duration: 30 minutes to one hour, depending on the tour.
Contact: 08 9193 7423 / bookings@redsuncamels.com.au

2. Broome Camel Safaris

Operating from Monday to Saturday Broome Camel Safaris , claim to have Broome’s friendliest camels, under the tutelage of Broome’s original camel lady, Alison Bird. While she’s not the only one claiming this title, she did trek through the Australian Outback alone with her camels for more than seven years, so it’s safe to say she knows what she’s doing.

They’re currently not doing morning tours but are running afternoon and sunset tours. They’re also a great option if you’d like to organise a bespoke tour for your own group.

Included in the price of a tour is a free pair of freshwater pearl sterling-silver earrings from local Broome designer, Dahlia Designs for ladies.

a group riding camels on Cable Beach, Broome — Soak up the beauty of Cable Beach with Broome Camel Safaris. (Image: CJ Maddock)

Cost: From $45
Duration: 30 minutes to one hour, depending on the tour.
Contact: 0419 916 101 / via website contact form .

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

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.

Your guide to the iconic camel rides in Broome