A holiday in Broome gives a relaxed tropical getaway in a remote domestic location. Gateway to the spectacular Kimberley region and the pearl capital of the continent, tiny Broome on Australia’s North West coast continually surprises visitors with its colour, multicultural population and captivating scenery.
Unique for many reasons, Broome is one of our favourite holiday destinations and attracts thousands of international visitors each year. Huddled against the sapphire seas, hemmed in by the inhospitable Great Sandy Desert to the east and the wild Kimberley to the north, Broome is a veritable oasis in a land of harsh extremes.
The stunning 22km sweep of white-sand beach fringing Roebuck Bay known as Cable Beach is a magnet for photographers recording idyllic sunsets, beach life, camel rides and the unique lunar phenomenon known as Staircase to the Moon.
Originally a base for pearling boats, today Broome still produces world leading pearls although the harvesting methods have moved on from the original diving techniques. Today, visitors can discover how the beautiful South Sea pearls are produced in award winning farms, and take up the opportunity to purchase stunning souvenirs at many locations throughout the region.
Other attractions are the open air cinema where patrons lay in deck chairs and experience the latest release blockbusters in the world’s oldest operating open air cinema. Walk in dinosaurs’ footprints or examine Dutch Flying Boat wrecks at low tide.
Broome is a gastronomic destination for those craving uniquely Australian cuisine with an international touch. Regional delicacies such as pearl meat, barramundi, kangaroo, crocodile and buffalo are served in simple ethic restaurants in Chinatown, or five star resorts overlooking Cable Beach. With a wide range of visitors from backpackers, to families or honeymooners, the nightlife has something to offer, but always in a relaxed, casual style reflecting Broome’s tropical atmosphere.
Just south of the equator, the town enjoys warm sunny days and balmy nights, and the lunar pull produces some of the widest tidal fluctuations on earth.
Broome fun facts
A section of cable Beach is set aside as ‘clothing optional’
The Argyle Diamond Mine in the Kimberley, is the world's largest diamond mine
Broome is 2350 km north of Perth
Sydney Weekend Away
Sunday 4th October 2009
Travel Counsellor: Brooke Jackson
I would like to let you know about a recent weekend away in Sydney. A group of us travelled from Newcastle to Sydney to see the musical 'Wicked' at the Capitol Theatre and we decided to stay the night after the show. We stayed at the Star City Casino. This was chosen mainly due to the close proximity to the theatre, with us catching the light rail from the Casino's rail stop. Capitol Theatre's light rail stop is at the back entrance of the theatre so very easy and cheap to get to.
Star City Casino has a few different styles of accommodation available. There are hotel rooms, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments and what we ended up with for the night - the Penthouse suites. A Penthouse suite is spread over 2 levels with the butler's entrance (yes you have your own private butler for the duration of your stay!) on the uppermost level.
The suite does have a fully functional kitchen which we never used due to the large variety of restaurants and eateries within the Casino and surrounding... view full story
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