Broome

Broome is an old pearling town on the remote northwestern coast of Western Australia. Broome offers a unique blend of cosmopolitan and easy-going tropical charm, making it a popular place for travelers from all over the world. The town has an Asian atmosphere, partly because it received countless Asian immigrants who worked in the pearling industry and partly because of its relative proximity to Indonesia.

Some of Broome's most interesting sights include Chinatown, the open-air Sun Pictures cinema that dates from the 1920's, the Japanese cemetery and the dinosaur footprints at Gantheaume Point.

The Broome Bird Observatory on Roebuck Bay is a paradise for birdwatchers. It is one of Australia's top nonbreeding grounds for migrant Arctic waders. One of Australia's most popular beaches is Cable Beach, not far from Broome. Cable Beach is geared toward up-market tourism. Swimmers should beware of stinging jellyfish in the water between November and March.

There are many hotels and restaurants in Broome. The town is 1680 km north of Perth and 3200 km northwest from Canberra.