Broome has an intriguing history, and has an incredible mix of cultures. There is a strong Aboriginal connection to this wilderness town for starters. But there are also clear Japanese links, with pearl divers from Japan came and settled here.

And the classic scene of those camels on the beach gives an almost Middle Eastern feel to the place.

The Bali Hai Resort and Spa, with its traditional Indonesian gardens and buildings, compliments this medley of cultures well.

Bali Hai Resort and Spa

Romance

The best thing about this hotel is that you really do feel like you could be on a tropical island miles from anyone. The rooms are so private and so self-contained, if you really wanted to, you wouldn’t have to go out or see anyone else. Even when you’re walking around the grounds, you rarely see guests and staff are discreet.

The rooms themselves have the modest luxury just like what you find in Bali. Lots of carved wood, terracotta tiling and space.

Value

When we were looking at where to stay in Broome, we found that – thanks to the mining boom and the sheer isolation of the town – that everything was quite expensive here.

The cheapest accommodation in Broome is always going to be in the hotel in town. But the rooms are above a very noisy pub, which, if you’re looking for quiet and romance, will probably spoil your time here.

There are camping and caravan park options too, but for the price, you might as well have a proper hotel room.

Here are our tips for Broome on a shoestring.

There are also some ultra-luxe resorts in Broome, which are perfect if you want to really live it up.

Bali Hai Resort and Spa sits right in the middle price wise, but we thought there’s better value here than most hotels in Broome.

Environment

Made up to look and feel like a traditional Balinese garden, the Bali Hai really impressed us. The open-air bathroom, typical of Bali and the tropics, was a treat. I even had a moment when I asked Mrs Romance if it was safe to drink the water here!

Of course it is – all tap water in Australia is safe to drink. But it felt like we were so far from home here.

The grounds are lush and full of plants. There are swimming pools everywhere and the whole place smells amazing.

Service

We were very impressed with the service at the Bali Hai. Reception was incredibly helpful, and moved mountains to try and get us on a last-minute camel ride.

We were welcomed with a smile and hello every time we passed reception or any of the staff walking by.

Location

Bali Hai is not near town. There are frequent shuttle buses you can catch into Broome itself, but I wouldn’t try walking into town. It’s too far. The bus stops about 10 metres up the road from the hotel’s doors.

You are, however, a very short walk to the famous and incredibly beautiful Cable Beach, which is somehow more of a draw than the town anyway! There’s also a little store on the corner and a bottle shop one street over.

Rooms

Our room was big and well furnished. There’s a fully equipped kitchen too, so self-catering or a romantic night in is definitely a thing to do at the Bali Hai.

The outdoor bathroom and shower is a real novelty, but don’t worry, the bugs stay out and it’s still very private.

Dining

Food in Broome is quite expensive. Freight costs and the town’s isolation bring the costs up. And we found that high prices don’t necessarily guarantee high quality.

We also found that venues close quite early here too.

The Bali Hai Café inside the resort is ok. There’s a good range of cuisine – from southeast Asian to modern Australian food. But there are more options outside the resort.

The fish and chips from the corner store are good, but as I mentioned, these guys close pretty early.

The food at Matso’s Brewery is great – and even better with some of their beer!

We were very happy with our stay in the Bali Hai Resort and Spa. We were only here a few days before we headed off to explore the Kimberley with National Geographic.

However, the time we spent here was made even better with our choice of accommodation.

Our top tip:

If you know when you’re going to Broome and you really want to ride a camel on Cable Beach at sunset, call up and book in advance. The sunset rides book up fast.

And go for the red camel company (the camels have red saddles). There are a few companies, but we heard it from a local that the red one is the best.

Have you been to Broome? Where did you stay? Would you ride a camel on Cable Beach if you could? Tell us in the comments!

Image by Mrs Romance using an OM-D E-M1 Olympus camera.

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I’ve wanted to go to Broome since I first landed in Perth, Western Australia in 2000. I never quite made it. It was just too far and too expensive to get there.

Mrs Romance has had the same problem. She tried to get to Broome when she was a teenager but flights from Sydney to Broome were more expensive than return airfares to Paris.

On this occasion, Europe won.

We have finally made it to Broome though. And the wait was well worth it.

We found Broome to be expensive, I’m not going to try and hide that fact. The mining industry, Broome’s isolation and distances to freight goods and materials make this one of Australia’s most expensive tourist destinations.

If you’re worried about Broome’s prices, don’t be; here’s our post on Broome on a budget.

However, if you’re looking for somewhere in Broome to treat yourself, here is Broome to blow the budget:

Where to stay

Top of the bill

There are some amazing resorts and spas in Broome. Currently the most expensive is The Pearle. This resort is right on Cable Beach, one of Australia’s most iconic beaches and The Pearle fits in nicely.

Happy medium

Alternatively, the Bali Hai Resort and Spa offers amazing levels of luxury, proximity (but not quite as close as The Pearle) to Cable Beach and an impressively authentic Balinese aesthetic.

At one point I had to stop and think if it was ok to drink the water from the tap here. Not in Bali, dingus!

Where to eat

Pub fare with a flair

Matso’s Brewery is somewhere everyone should visit regardless of their budget – even if it’s just to have a quick beer and explore the country’s most isolated craft brewery.

If you’re hungry, this place has some great pub-style options with a bit of flair.

A taste of Bali and beyond

For a real range of cuisine in a setting that suits your tropical location, the Bali Hai Café is a great option. Part of the Bali Hai Resort, this little courtyard eatery has everything from southeast Asian to modern Australian and steak options.

There’s also a very reasonably priced pizza menu if you’re looking for cheaper options.

In town

If you’re looking for somewhere in Broome town proper, check out Azuki Japanese Fusion. A hangover from the Japanese pearler population, this place has an authentic Japanese menu and décor.

Further afield

About an hour south of Broome, Jack’s Bar and Restaurant has an impressive menu of architecturally amazing dishes and amazing views of the Kimberley coastline.

You can also stay here – but be warned, this all comes at a cost.

Dine at the beach

Cable Beach bars and restaurants are also great options if you want to dine with the best views of the famous sunsets.

You can tell that the venues here are preying on their location though. The service and queues at the bar as the sun goes down can be horrendous. And neither the quality nor the range seems to match the prices.

Touring and travelling

With the stunning Kimberley Region as its front porch, there’s so much to do in and around Broome. And there’s a lot of history in this little town too.

Birdseye view

Visit Willie Creek pearl farm and go for a chopper ride. Just out of town, Willie Creek Pearls have some amazing pieces of jewellery and pearls.

But it’s the helicopter ride and boat tour that drew us in. The views of the area from the air are just amazing.

Outback tours

Being so close to the Kimberley and the Top End, you’d be crazy not to get out and explore. There are so many tour options going from Broome. Check out some of these tours as a starting place.

See the Bungle Bungles up high and down low

The unusual Bungle Bungles Range was only discovered by westerners in the 1980s and is one of the big draw cards of the Kimberley.

If you don’t have time to tour the Kimberley properly, you can fly from Broome to the Bungles, land explore on foot too. Check out this amazing tour via Mr Aristotle.

Sunset camel ride

One of the iconic things to do in Broome is to take a stroll from the back of the camel and see the sun dip below the horizon of the Indian Ocean.

Make sure you book early though. The sunset spots go fast. We missed out but the Red Sun Camel company is said to be the best.

See more of the Kimberley from the air and on foot

This scenic flight and exploration of some key points of the Kimberley will give you a feel of what this ancient landscape has to offer.

Nat Geo expedition up to Darwin

If you really want to see the Kimberley from a unique perspective, this oceanic expedition is the way.

Onboard a National Geographic ship, you sail from Broome all the way up to Darwin in the Northern Territory. In the 12 nights you’re at sea you get to stop in every day at a different location along the stunning Kimberley coast and explore the area on foot, by air and by sea.

The things you learn from the naturalists in the crew are absolutely amazing and the feeling of exploring the area from the edge of your Zodiac tender is like nothing else.

Find out more about the National Geographic voyages here.

Traveller’s Tip

If you’re flying from Sydney to Broome, the most logical way to travel is Sydney-Perth, Perth-Broome. Instead try Sydney-Brisbane, Brisbane-Broome. Flying times are the same – maybe even shorter – and prices are often lower.

The wealth of things you can do and see in Broome is quite surprising. For such a small place that’s this isolated, we were busy with so many one-of-a-kind experiences while we were here.

If you want some tips for some more budget options for visiting Broome to mix it up, check out our post on Broome on a budget.

Images by Mrs Romance using an Olympus OM-D E-M10 camera.

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We visited Broome a little while ago and were surprised at the prices of some things. Yes, it’s remote, so getting stuff here is expensive, time-consuming and costly.

Thanks to the mining boom that’s forced prices throughout Western Australia up, so the cost of living for locals and even more so for tourists is through the roof.

Having said that, there are ways to save money. So if you’ve spent all your cash getting here – yes, flights are expensive – here are some of the ways we’ve discovered to see Broome on a budget:

Where to stay

The Roebuck Hotel

Probably the cheapest place to stay in Broome. Be warned though, it’s more like a hostel than a hotel, and more like a pub than either. It gets pretty rowdy so probably not great for young families… or people who value an early night!

Camping at Broome Bird Observatory and research centre

About 20kms out of town, the bird observatory sees hundreds of thousands of birds visit the mudflats and stunning coastline annually. Camping fees are from $15 per night.

There are other camping and caravan parks in Broome – check out the visitors’ centre here http://www.visitbroome.com.au/bookings/caravan-parks – but as a rule, expect to pay more than you’d normally pay. Broome is expensive

Food and drink

Best coffee in town

The Shady Lane Café, tucked away in Johnny Chi Lane and boasts the best brews. Also Dragonfly Café in Chinatown does great sandwiches and salads.

Broome RSL

Cheap beer, Tuesday night bingo and some true Kimberley characters, including Akira Masuda, one of the original pearl divers, who’s survived the Bends more than once.

Cheaper dinner

The fish and chips at Cable Beach General Store and Café on the corner of Murray Road and Cable Beach Road are reasonably priced, plentiful and tasty.

Cheapest dinner

Kebabs at Land of the Pharaohs with Egyptian owner Ingetje Tadros.

Free dinner

Catch your meal from the big black rock that appears at low tide next to the boat ramp at Entrance Point. Fish from the top of the rock and pull out blue bone and flag.

Fishing is also good from the jetty.

Matso’s is a must

Matso’s Brewery is a local icon brewing beer now enjoyed across the continent. If you’re going to spend your money on a brew and a belly-full anywhere, here’s the place.

The bars at Cable Beach have the view and the location, but they’re missing many other things, including service, range and reasonable pricings. Better off finding a bottle shop and sneaking a couple of takeaways onto the beach!

Beaches

Sunset at Reddell Beach

Red cliffs, black rocks, turquoise waters and much smaller crowds than at Cable Beach.

Town Beach

Enjoy a coffee from Town Beach Café or visit the Pioneer Cemetery on the hill. Careful though – the café’s not open on Sundays as we discovered. There are free barbecues and picnic tables, and a safe cove beach to have a dip.

A local beach

Gantheaume Point Beach is a dog-friendly local’s favourite where the fishing’s good, beach barbecues are in and the stars are always out. There are also cast replicas of dinosaur footprints in the rocks here. The originals are in fossilised reef rock, found at very low tides.

Cable Beach

Broome’s most famous beach, this one’s a monster. It’s even got a kind of road, which, at low tide, locals drive down onto the sand to watch sunset, fish and enjoy barbecues. You can also see the camel trains here, which is quite a spectacle.

Getting around town

The town bus runs every half hour between 7.23am to 7.10pm. You can buy single tickets but it works out cheaper to buy a day ticket for $10. Times change during the wet season and public holidays.

Walking around town is feasible but if you want to get to Matso’s Brewery, Town Beach or Cable Beach, you’ll need transport… or a passion for long walks!

Markets and things to do

Town Beach Night Markets on the full moon

On evenings when the Moon is full, there are night markets at Town Beach where the locals come to enjoy the Southeast Asian style street hawker food and to see what other goodies are on sale.

Broome Courthouse Markets

Locals flock here every weekend to relax with artisan food, cheap eats, great coffee and tunes from local and travelling musicians.

Camels on Cable Beach

You don’t have to pay to see this amazing spectacle. Just hang around on Cable Beach long enough until the camel trains come along.

Top Tip: Don’t stand in the way of the train – the guides will shout at you – and don’t try to walk too close behind them if you know what I mean!

Bushwalking

Minyirr Park, connected to Cable Beach, has 22km of signposted walking tracks through some typical Kimberly bushland. Watch out for Yawuru rangers patrolling the parklands. Their knowledge of the area is legendary.

Bats on the move

At dusk, keep an eye on the air – especially above Matso’s Brewery or the Mangrove Hotel as thousands of flying foxes take to the air for an evening feed over Roebuck Bay.

See WWII wrecks of the flying boats

When Japanese airmen bombed Broome on 3/3/42, they sank a flotilla of flying boats moored at Roebuck Bay. Buried in the mud, they emerge at low tide, when you can walk out to see them.

Broome Galleries

Short Street Gallery, Old Broome Lockup and Red Dirt Photography in Chinatown offer a great insight into the local art scene here in Broome.

Crab racing at the Beer and Satay Hut pub

This oddball pub on Walcott Street holds hermit crab races every Sunday night. Choose your crustacean for a $5 punt and win cash prizes. Beer’s cheap and the roast is renowned.

Catch a movie – old-style

The Sun Pictures open-air cinema still has the feeling of when it opened in 1916. It’s the oldest operating picture garden in the world, and the deckchair seating, movie memorabilia and old box office make this a very special experience.

Staircase to the moon

As the full moon dips to the edge of the western horizon and the tide is out, the mud and sand flats come alight with the moon’s reflection. Because of the extreme tidal differences here (the Kimberly has the 2nd highest tidal flow in the world at around 7 metres), the effect is dazzling.

The Kimberley

Broome is the gateway to the Kimberly, one of the most unique places in Australia if not the world. The nature, unusual geology, and indigenous history and prehistory you can find here is astounding. If you want to see a really special part of this island nation, you have to take advantage of being in Broome.

Fun Fact

The Kimberly is its own mini tectonic plate called a craton. It was completely separate from the rest of Western Australia until about 1600 million years ago. When the two pieces collided, the incredible forces involved produced some spectacular results – as we discovered when we journeyed around the coast of this magnificent region.

We love a local tip!

We’d like to thank the staff at Bali Hai Resort and Spa for helping us with this list. We were only in Broome for a couple of nights so we weren’t able to do all of these things. However, these are real tips from real locals, so they’re not only reliable, they’re probably not that widely known either.

Have you been to Broome? Do you have any tips on how to make this expensive town more affordable? Tell us in the comments!

Images by Mrs Romance using an Olympus OM-D E-M10 camera.

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Broome has been somewhere Mrs Romance and I have wanted to visit for such a long time. Thoughts of Cable Beach with its famous camels and the incredible sunsets over the Indian Ocean have always excited the travel bug in us.

To make this faraway place even more enticing, I featured Matso’s quite a while ago in our 9 Aussie craft beers review. So I was really excited to be visiting the home of – among others – the Smokey Bishop: a delicious dark, smokey lager.

We walked past the white picket fence surrounding the brewery/gastro pub and straight to the bar.

Inside the pub, they’ve really gone for the deep sea diving, pearl hunting past of this region. Its rustic styling and rugged beer-keg barstools and barrel tables really set the scene.

The taps are all made from old oyster shells in a nod to the area’s pearling industry – not to mention its namesake’s pastime.

With so many different beers to choose from, we went for 2 tasting paddles to get to know all of the things they brew here. It’s a fun, cost effective way to try all their beers.

The brewers here are really quite adventurous too.

Of course there are staples like a blonde, a really good IPA and – as I mentioned – the black lager. But there are also some fascinating fruit and spice beers.

The ‘Chango’ is a chilli/mango beer. There’s also a straight chilli brew too, which certainly has a kick. There’s a very popular ginger beer, made with real ginger root, and a delicious wild lime cider. It uses local apples but infuses the cider with wild limes.

While we were enjoying this fun range of beers, we perused the lunch menu.

Mrs R had the prawn, pawpaw and melon salad, which was fresh and full of colour.

As you can appreciate, with all this beer I couldn’t go past the pulled pork burger.

After our very satisfying lunch, we took a short, slow walk to the nearest bus stop and rolled back to our hotel for a nap.

Matso’s Brewery

Open every day: breakfast: 7.00am-11.00am, lunch: 11.30am-3.00pm, dinner: 5.30pm-9.00pm.

Top tip: get to Matso’s early for lunch and sit on a couple of beers till you’re hungry enough for a pub lunch. Otherwise, go there after 2pm.

60 Hamersley St
Broome
WA 6725
W: matsos.com.au

Fb: @Matsosbeer
Tw: @matsosbeer
Ig: @matsosbeer

Yes, it’s a long way to come for a pint, but my goodness, it’ll be a beer you’ll remember! It’s also a fantastic point to start a unique adventure into the Kimberley and beyond.

Where’s the most remote beer you’ve ever had? Have you had a Matso’s beer? Tell us in the comments!

Images by Mrs Romance.

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