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For many grey nomads - particularly those from the east coast - Broome is the holy grail of the big trip. It's no exaggeration to say that this city, situated on the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean is a grey nomad legend. There are a few who now claim the place is overly commercialised, too busy but, for most, it is simply the ultimate place to spend the cooler winter months. Ah yes, the climate. Well if you time it right, it's close to unbeatable. Once you've spent time in Broome in June, July or August you won't ever want to spend another day of those months anywhere near Perth, Melbourne, Sydney or even Brisbane. Nowadays, with Broome's popularity reaching epidemic proportions and crowding becoming a problem the tourism authorities are desperately trying to lengthen the season. They have a point. The weather in May is magnificent and even in September - although it's warming up a bit - it is extremely pleasant so why are the parks suddenly half full? The town itself is attractive, if unspectacular, and boasts all of the goods and services you would expect from a tourist town of its size. The pearling history of the area is quite fascinating and there are a number of venues where you can learn more. There are also several caravan parks with the large Cable Beach Caravan Park being the one closest to the mythical Cable Beach. Prices are surprisingly reasonable, given the fact that during the season it's not uncommon to have half a dozen vans queuing outside at six in the morning. Crocodiles are not reported to visit Broome waters although it is still possible. Of more immediate concern to most visitors is the threat of box jellyfish that increases as the weather warms up. Some 40 kilometres or so north of Broome on the dirt road to Cape Leveque are some attractive free camping areas which again can get quite busy during peak season. The Aboriginal-owned resort of Cape Leveque - which is most definitely not free - is quickly acquiring mythical status itself and boasts some remarkable beaches and coastline. The road up is sandy in stretches and it's probably safest to leave the van in Broome and rent a cabin or take a tent for a stop of a few days. Broome is magnificent. The only real question mark is its capacity to cope with tourism demand. A lot of the land in the area is tied up with native title claim and it may be many years before any new caravan parks are built. Added to that there is the developers' preference to build resort-style accommodation on any land that does become available. There is a risk that the drive-in market that really put Broome on the map in the first place may be elbowed aside in the town's desire to cater to the 'more spendthrift' fly-in market. It would be a shame if that were allowed to happen. |
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Broome.
Just the very name is enough to send the heart racing.