Broome

The Port of Broome is a secure industrial facility located approximately 7 kilometres from the town centre, meaning you will not be stepping onto a scenic promenade. While larger ships dock at the main wharf or the new floating terminal, the area is restricted and walking along the long wharf neck is prohibited for safety and security reasons. Within a 5 to 10-minute walk of the dock, you will find very few amenities other than a small cruise terminal, a parking area, and basic public facilities between Customs House and Port of Pearls House. Because the port is isolated and the town’s main attractions like Chinatown and Cable Beach are several kilometres away, almost all passengers require a cruise-organised shuttle, a pre-booked private transfer, or a taxi to leave the industrial port zone and reach the town’s tourist areas.

• Walkability: Broome is a very flat town, making it easy to walk around locally; however, the tropical heat can be intense and the distances between the cruise port, Chinatown, and Cable Beach are too far to travel comfortably on foot. Most visitors will find a shuttle or bus necessary to move between the main hubs.
• Public Transport: The Broome Explorer Bus and Transbroome (Route 890) are the primary ways to get around, connecting the town centre to Cable Beach. You do not need a specific transit card as you can simply pay the driver using cash or EFTPOS/contactless cards when you board.
• Taxis/Rideshare: Taxis and local rideshare services like TaTa Ride are available, though they are fewer in number than in large cities and pre-booking is highly recommended, especially for port transfers. While Uber is present, availability can be limited, so having a local taxi number or the TaTa app ready is a sensible backup.

• Public transport in Broome is limited to the Town Bus Service which accepts cash or contactless payments; no specific regional transit card like Opal or myki is required for short visits.
• Australia has strict biosecurity laws; you must declare all food, plant material, and animal products on your Incoming Passenger Card, and never bring fresh fruit or meat off the ship.
• Tipping is not expected or required in Australia as a living wage is built into the service; the price you see on the menu is the final price, inclusive of 10% GST.
• The Kimberley sun and tidal range are extreme; always carry water, wear high-SPF protection, and be aware that swimming at local beaches is seasonal due to marine stingers.

• The Must-Dos
  • Explore the historic heart of Broome in Chinatown to browse world-class pearl showrooms and see the Sun Pictures cinema, the world’s oldest operating open-air picture garden.
  • Visit the iconic Cable Beach for a stroll along its 22 kilometres of pristine white sand and turquoise waters, located just a short taxi or bus ride from the port.
  • Head to Matso’s Broome Brewery to sample their famous alcoholic ginger beer or mango beer while enjoying a meal in the historic building.
• Best Free/Low-Cost Activity
  • Walk through the Japanese Cemetery to see the beautifully carved sandstone headstones that tell the poignant story of the many young men who lost their lives during the early pearling years.
  • Check the local tide charts and head to Gantheaume Point at low tide to search for 130-million-year-old dinosaur footprints preserved in the red reef rock.
  • Browse the Broome Courthouse Markets (held Saturdays and Sundays) to meet local artisans, enjoy live music, and pick up unique Kimberley-made jewellery or crafts.
• Local Hidden Gem
  • Visit the peaceful enclave of Town Beach to see the remains of the Catalinas (flying boats) at low tide, which were bombed during WWII, and enjoy a coffee with a view of Roebuck Bay’s milky-blue waters.
  • Follow the “Jetty to Jetty” heritage trail between Streeter’s Jetty and Town Beach to discover the town’s multicultural history via a series of informative signs and a dedicated audio app.
  • Explore the vibrant red cliffs and secluded rock pools of Riddell Beach, a quieter alternative to Cable Beach that offers stunning contrast between the ochre earth and the Indian Ocean.

There is no free Wi-Fi at the Port of Broome cruise terminal. However, cruise passengers can find free and reliable Wi-Fi in the Chinatown district, which offers a dedicated “Chinatown Free Wifi” zone with no login or password required. Another excellent option is the Broome Public Library on Haas Street, which provides free internet access. Many cafes and restaurants along the Dampier Terrace and Carnarvon Street area also offer complimentary Wi-Fi to customers who make a purchase.

For ships docking at the Port of Broome, there are no supermarkets or pharmacies within walking distance of the industrial pier. You will need to take a 10-minute taxi or a shuttle bus into the town centre (Chinatown) or to the Broome Boulevard Shopping Centre.

The most convenient one-stop location is the Broome Boulevard Shopping Centre on Frederick Street, which houses a large Woolworths and the Broome Pharmacy. Alternatively, in the Chinatown area, you can find a Coles supermarket and the Broome Medical Centre Pharmacy, both of which are approximately 3 km from the port.