Beaches and Brunches in Broome

Towards the end of the afternoon, Cable Beach in Broome becomes alive with activity. People arrive in 4 wheel drive cars, drive onto the sand, set up their picnic tables and crack open a beer. The beach side restaurants suddenly throng with activity as people find a vacant table to sip a cold drink. Families and groups of friends play on the sand or settle on the grassy areas overlooking the beach.

What brings them to a beach when the light is fading and the Lifeguards are packing up their stations to finish their shift for that day?

The sunset.

But this is no ordinary sunset. As the sun slips beneath the Indian Ocean the horizon flares with a blaze of colours so vibrant and intense you’d be forgiven for thinking someone had dragged an Instagram filter across your eyes.

At first it’s the yellows and the golds as the sun shimmers downwards, then come the magentas, the purples and the dusky rose as the twilight unfurls across the sky.

And the best part of the sunset was the stillness.

The stillness that followed the flurry of activity to get to the beach suddenly hangs in the air like a calming blanket laid across your shoulders. People sit alone or in groups and watch as the sun slinks towards the sea, their voices murmur, inaudible against the swishing of the waves. The softness of the moment, the tranquillity and the peace pervades your soul and you can’t help but feel thankful for the day that you just saw tuck itself to bed and the promise of the day that will dawn tomorrow.

To experience the sunset in a completely different light, you could take a camel ride along the beach with Broome Camel Safaris.

I was happy enough to sit and watch the procession pass and snap a few photos. This iconic sight can be witnessed each night as the sun fades away over the ocean at Cable Beach and it’s definitely the place to come to enjoy the atmosphere and the balmy evenings.

Cable Beach

Cable Beach in Broome is a 22 kilometre stretch of pristine white sand against a backdrop of rich, ochre-red cliffs. The turquoise water of the Indian Ocean tempts you with its warm temperatures and fun surf. The soft white sand is perfect for sunbathing and beach combing, and the place to be for those stellar sunsets.

Brunches In Broome

When I wasn’t enjoying the sunsets in Broome I was discovering a few delicious places to eat. Broome is not a large place and I wasn’t expecting to find so many little gems tucked away. I enjoyed a lunch at Dragonfly Cafe on Carnarvon Street where I tried one of the fresh salads from their menu.

Nearer to Cable Beach I sampled the brunch menu from The Zookeepers Store, which included the tasty eggs benedict.

There’s something very decadent to treating yourself to meals out when you travel. Long term I wouldn’t be able to afford eating out for most meals, especially in a more expensive country such as Australia, and I would usually cook for myself in the kitchens at my hostel. Still, I’m going to put it down to the heat I experienced in Broome that put me off going anywhere near a kitchen!

Getting To Broome

Getting to Broome can be a big adventure in itself. It’s in quite an isolated spot in Western Australia and it’s probably not the sort of place you find yourself passing through. Broome has its own airport with regular flights to Perth and some other international destinations.

If you fancy a drive, then Broome is the perfect destination for any adventure seeker keen for a road trip. It is situated a mere 2,415km from Perth or 1,965km from Darwin. If you’ve got the time and your own wheels, a road trip across Australia’s untamed wilderness is highly recommended. Check out a few of the road trips I’ve done to get inspired:

• Perth to Broome (days 1 – 5)
• Perth to Broome (days 6 – 10)
• Darwin to Broome
• Adelaide to Alice Springs

Where To Stay In Broome

I stayed in the chilled out and friendly Cable Beach Backpackers, which I would recommend for its laid back vibe and tropical pool area. Pay for a room with air con to be able to get a good night’s sleep. As the name suggests, this hostel is near to Cable Beach. This area is nearly 4 kilometres from the centre of Broome. There are also several hostel options in the centre of the town. If you’re looking for a sociable vibe, the YHA is the place to head.

When To Go To Broome

The best time to visit Broome and Cable Beach is in their winter, which is also the dry season. This runs roughly from April / May until September / October. The temperatures will be warm with clear skies and balmy nights. In the wet season you can expect high levels of humidity and a lot of rain.

More Ideas For Things To Do In Broome

If you are keen to check out more ideas of things to do in Broome, take a look at what you can find at Gantheume Point.

Have you ever been to Broome? What were your favourite things to do? Did you go to witness a beautiful sunset at Cable Beach?

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