Broome sits at the gateway to one of Australia’s last true frontiers – and for families chasing a contrast to their normal hometown in Australia, Broome has it all.
Incredible weather if you’re in the right season with the most epic landscapes and scenes to enjoy and take in a true Aussie sun holiday and adventure – from the red dirt to the turquoise water and electric blue sky that seems to have no end, it’s hard to beat this sun escape to the West.
Whether you’re flying in and exploring locally or driving the long haul from Perth (around 2,200km, best broken into several days), Broome rewards with scenery unlike anywhere else in the country.
Cable Beach is the centre of any family stay in this neck of the woods with 22km of pristine white sand where camel rides at sunset have become a rite of passage for visiting kids.
The water is calm and shallow in the mornings, though it’s worth checking seasonal stinger and crocodile warnings before hitting the coastal water.
In town, Broome’s Chinatown offers an easy, walkable afternoon with pearl showrooms, cafes, and the historic Sun Pictures.
It’s an amazing set up, the world’s oldest operating outdoor cinema where kids can watch a movie under the stars with the occasional plane roaring overhead.
For a day trip, Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park is always a hit, with feeding sessions that keep children captivated.
Families with older kids might also venture to Gantheaume Point to hunt for dinosaur footprints exposed at low tide, or take a short flight over the Horizontal Falls, one of nature’s strangest tidal phenomena.
Plan for at least 4-5 days in the region — Broome rewards a slower pace, especially with young travellers needing downtime between adventures. Pack sun protection seriously; the Kimberley heat is relentless even in the cooler dry season (May-September, the best time to visit with kids).
It’s also a pretty costly trip from the East Coast, so if this is a trip on your bucket list, worth planning ahead with flight specials and alerts to make the most of your spending money and activity funds when you arrive.
🍽️ Top Places to Eat (Family Budget)
- The Aarli — relaxed, kid-friendly share plates
- Broome Fish Providores — fresh, casual seafood
- Matso’s Broome Brewery — beer for parents, good food for all
🏕️ Fun Places to Stay
- Cable Beach Caravan Park — beachside, budget-friendly cabins
- Broometime Lodge — simple, central, family rooms
- Discovery Parks Broome — pools and playgrounds on-site
🎡 Good Attractions
- Cable Beach camel rides
- Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park
- Sun Pictures outdoor cinema
Day Trips
Horizontal Falls Full-Day Tour
A seaplane or boat trip to witness the famous “horizontal waterfalls” — fast-moving tidal water squeezing through narrow gorges. It’s pricier than most activities on this list, but consistently rated as a bucket-list experience, and older kids in particular tend to find it thrilling. Some tours include a swim in a shark-safe pontoon enclosure.
James Price Point & Coastal Drive
A half-day 4WD trip north of Broome along dramatic red cliffs meeting turquoise water. Quieter than Cable Beach, it’s a good option for families wanting a picnic spot away from the crowds, though a high-clearance vehicle is recommended for the unsealed roads.
Willie Creek Pearl Farm
An easy half-day trip showing how Broome’s pearling industry works, with boat tours through mangrove-lined creeks. Kids enjoy spotting wildlife along the way, and there’s a shaded cafe on-site for a relaxed lunch break.
Derby Day Trip
About 220km east of Broome, Derby offers the famous Boab Prison Tree and access to the start of the Gibb River Road for families curious about the wider Kimberley without committing to the full 4WD track. Best suited to families with a full day and older, patient kids given the driving distance.
Roebuck Bay Bird-Watching
A gentler, low-cost option — Roebuck Bay is one of the most significant shorebird habitats in the world. Broome Bird Observatory runs family-friendly tours, and it’s a nice change of pace after busier beach and boat days.
