Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
packed up the building materials for the courthouse in Britain and addressed it
to “The Kimberley,” they meant them to end up in the Kimberley, South Africa.
Instead, the stuff arrived in the Kimberley, Australia. The town kept the building
and so can proudly lay claim to having Australia's only Zulu-proof courthouse.
A number of boats run sunset cruises on Roebuck Bay or off Cable Beach.
Fishing
for trevally, barracuda, barramundi, queenfish, tuna, shark, sailfish,
marlin, salmon (in the May-Aug run), and reef fish is excellent around Broome;
fly- and sportfishing are also worth a try. Rent tackle and try your luck from the
deep-water jetty near Town Beach 2km (1
1
⁄
4
miles) south of town, or join one of
several charter boats, such as
FAD Game Fishing Charters
(
&
08/9192 3998;
www.fadcharters.com.au), for a day trip.
Pearl Sea Coastal Cruises
(see “Boating
the Kimberley Coast,” below) runs live-aboard fishing trips up the coast. Cyclones,
rain, high winds, and strong tides can restrict fishing December through March.
More than one-third of Australia's bird species live in the Kimberley. The
blue, green, yellow, and violet Gouldian finch, Nankeen night heron, tawny
frogmouth, and hundreds more species get “twitchers” excited.
The Broome
Bird Observatory
research station (
&
08/9193 5600
), 25km (16 miles) out of
town on Roebuck Bay, monitors the thousands of migratory wetlands birds that
gather here from Siberia. It offers 2
1
⁄
2
-hour tours from Broome, and has basic
accommodations and camping facilities for real enthusiasts.
Australia's “first family” of pearling, the Paspaleys, sell their wonderfully elegant
jewelry at
Paspaley Pearls,
Carnarvon Street at Short Street (
&
08/9192 2203
).
Linneys
(
&
08/9192 2430
) is another reputable jeweler nearby.
Don't leave without taking in a recent-release movie at the wonderful
Sun
Pictures
outdoor cinema, Carnarvon Street near Short Street (
&
08/9192
1077
). Built in 1916, these are the oldest “picture gardens” in the world, where
the audience sits in (saggy) canvas deck chairs. Films are even screened through
the rain in the Wet. Tickets are A$12 (US$7.80). Open nightly except Christmas.
WHERE TO STAY & DINE
Cable Beach Club Resort Broome
For some Aussies, a visit to
Broome is just an excuse to stay at this chic Asia-meets-Outback resort, which
blends Australian frontier architecture and decor—corrugated iron walls inside as
well as out, verandas, Aboriginal art—with Chinese elements like red and green
latticework, pagoda roofs, silky red bathrobes, and Asian cotton bedcovers. The
huge standard rooms are gorgeous and have a decent-size living area and balcony.
Bungalows (which sleep five or six) were renovated in 2000; they have central
bedrooms wrapped on three sides by a veranda, and kitchens. For glamour, it's
tough to match the colonial-pearling-master suites, lavishly decked out with eye-
popping Asiatic antiques and valuable Australian art. These are truly to die for, so
ask about suite packages, which offer remarkably good value. A dune blocks true
sea views, because the authorities won't allow buildings visible from the sand.
Unlike many resorts, this one has a choice of dining venues worth eating in. It is
a 5-minute drive or a 6km (3
3
⁄
4
-mile) bus ride into town.
Cable Beach Rd., Broome, WA 6725.
&
1800/099 199
in Australia, or 08/9192 0400. Fax 08/9192 2249.
www.cablebeachclub.com. 263 units (some with shower only). High season (July-Sept) A$345-A$445
(US$224-US$289) double; A$299-A$575 (US$194-US$374) bungalow. Slight discounts in Apr-June; signif-
icantly lower rates Oct-Mar. Lower rates for a 3-night stay. Ask about packages. Extra person A$38 (US$25).
Children under 20 stay free in parent's room with existing bedding. AE, DC, MC, V. Airport shuttle A$6
(US$3.90) per person return. Town bus.
Amenities:
5 restaurants (2 close in the Wet); cafe; bar; outdoor pool
and an adults-only saltwater pool chilled in humid wet season; 8 floodlit tennis courts (4 indoor); health club;
massages, yoga, float tank, personal trainers; Jacuzzi; kids' club for kids 3-12; guest-activities program;
