Broome is generally considered a luxury destination, filled with resorts and people on their honeymoon. But, if you happen to be visiting Broome on a budget, there are plenty of free things to do!
You don’t need to break the bank on your Broome family holiday. By saving on activities you can have a little extra funds to go towards your accommodation and eating out.
If you’re looking for additional things to do in Broome, here’s another list of things to do for every budget.
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Streeters Jetty
Streeters Jetty is a very cool spot to visit (I highly recommend going twice, I’ll explain more in a minute).
First of all, it’s located off Dampier Terrace in the town of Broome and has lots of parking near by so it’s very easily accessible.
Now before you visit you have to check the tides!
The tides in Broome completely TRANSFORM places like Streeters Jetty! As already mentioned, I’d recommend to visit at both high and low tide – you can see photos of each below.
At HIGH tide, the water comes in and boats roam the the mangroves. For this, the tide needs to be over 5m. When the tide is exceptionally high the jetty is actually submerged. So you’ll definitely want to keep an eye on the tides.
Hot tip: Here’s a link to the best place to check the tides.
At LOW tide you can watch the little red crabs and mudskippers beneath the jetty. This was actually a highlight for our family. Our boys really enjoyed spotting them and watching them hide in the leftover pools of water.
While we didn’t get to see it, Streeters Jetty is actually right underneath the take off/ landing flight path for Broome Airport. So if the timing is right you might even see a plane overhead!
Roebuck Bay
Roebuck Bay is probably one of the most photogenic spots we visited in Broome. While that may be controversial, it really is a beautiful place to see!
With water filled with mangroves (and probably crocs) the iconic red sand & turquoise blue water, this spot really is a must for anyone interested in photography!
Getting to this particular spot was actually a bit of a challenge, with little to no signage. It’s actually called Simpsons Beach, but it doesn’t come up if you put it into Google maps. So I’ve put together some directions to help you find the Roebuck Bay staircase:
- Head south from Broome towards the Broome Port Jetty
- Turn off of Port Drive near the Hovercraft entrance
- Look for a little sign that says “Beach Access”
It’s really small and looks a little makeshift!
- Follow the track and it’ll take you to the carpark
You’ll know you have the right place when you see a sign for Simpsons Beach
The staircase at this beach makes for the perfect leading lines to really enhance your photography and capture a beautiful image!
However, it is important to note that there is very limited shade here. So definitely lather up in sunscreen, bring a hat & water because you’ll need it in the hot and humid Broome weather.
Cable Beach
Alright, so you can’t have a list of things to do in Broome without including Cable Beach. While one of the most popular activities to do in Broome is to ride the camels in Cable Beach, simply observing them on the beach is free!
The best time to do this is at sunset, as that is when the tours run.
I’d highly recommend packing a picnic dinner or ordering some pizza to go and relaxing on the beach while the sunsets.
You can either drive out onto Cable Beach or walk. We found that the track to get onto the beach was very rough and we weren’t confident enough to give it a go. So we walked over the rocks to find a spot. If driving on the beach is something you’d like to do in Broome, below there is an alternative to Cable Beach.
Just note it is a decent walk, especially if you have young kids. And although we thought it’d be a good idea, its not very pram friendly!
Gantheaume Point
Another popular free thing to do in Broome is to head out to Gantheaume Point (it’s best at sunset).
The rocks at Gantheaume Point are a great example of the North West region of Australia. Their striking red colour in contrast with the blue ocean make for a beautiful scene. So find a nice ledge, take a cool drink and watch the setting sun reflect off of the red rocks.
If you happen to visit during the day you’ll often find people jumping off the rock cliffs and lounging in the rock pools left by the changing tides.
Gantheaume Point is also home to some dinosaur footprints. However, if you’re hoping to see some you’ll need to be here when the tide is extremely low. It’s also best to go on a guided tour so they can show you where they are and what you’re looking at!
Gantheuame Beach
Just down the road from Gantheaume Point is Gantheaume Beach. While we enjoyed watching the sunset on Cable Beach, we enjoyed the sunset even more here!
Since the beach access here was very easy, we were able to drive and park on the beach. It was really nice to be able to have everything we needed in the car and the sunset was just as incredible as at Cable Beach.
Note: If you plan to drive on any beach in the region make sure you know the tides! The tides here change very fast and dramatically, and many cars have gotten stuck in the water.
James Price Point
If you’re looking for a free day trip to do in Broome, then heading out to James Price Point needs to be at the top of your list!
Located 1.5hrs out of Broome, James Price Point showcases the red sands of Australia’s North West region. With towering Pindan cliffs, dropping dramatically into the ocean below James Price Point is best viewed from above. However, if you can’t afford the cost of a helicopter tour, it is still well worth viewing from ground level.
Getting there
The roads out to James Price Point are unsealed roads, so a 4WD is advisable! However, there are people who have gone out in their vans and SUVs. If you’re planning a trip here without a 4WD it is best to enquire about the condition of the roads at the time of your visit. It’s very common, after a lot of rain, for there to be a lot of pot holes and flooded sections.
What to Bring
There are no facilities out at James Price Point so make sure to pack some food and take all your rubbish back with you! Reception is weak at best, so come prepared and inform someone of your plans.
Town Beach Water Park
If you’re looking for a free water activity to do with kids in Broome, then you have to head to the Town Beach Water Park! It’s located at the southern end of Robinson Street, across from Pioneer Park
We spent our first few hours in Broome here, waiting for our accommodation checkin to open. It was a lovely spot to cool down and let the kids have a play!
The playground is closed on Tuesdays. But is open from 8:30am – 5pm for the rest of the week. Children are required to wear swimwear while enjoying the water playground.
Right next to the Water Park there is also a standard playground, which is a great option if you don’t want to get wet.
Staircase to the Moon
The Staircase to the Moon is a phenomenon that happens in Broome only on 2-3 days of the month between March and October. So you really have to plan your trip if this is something you’d like to experience in Broome!
As the full moon rises over the tidal flats of Roebuck Bay, it creates an illusion of a staircase. Popular spots to experience this free sight are from Town Beach and the Mangrove Hotel. During the first 2 days of the Staircase to the Moon, there are night markets held at Town Beach which would be a great way to make enjoy your evening.
Unfortunately it didn’t occur on the dates we visited but it’s definitely something we’ll incorporate on any future trips to Broome! Make sure to check the dates before you book your trip!
Overall
Although it can be pricey, Broome is definitely a destination you can visit on a budget. Be sure to let me know in the comments your favourite free things to do in Broome!
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