Broome Town Tour: Cable Beach, Chinatown & Local Stories

The stories behind Broome's beaches and streets, told by someone who knows them.

A 2.5-hour guided tour of Broome led by a local guide, covering Cable Beach, Gantheaume Point, the Japanese Cemetery, Town Beach and Chinatown. The tour is built around the history and people of each stop rather than a checklist of sights—you learn why these places matter to Broome, not just what they look like. Pickup from your accommodation is included, and the guide brings chilled towels and refreshments along the way.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Broome's beaches and history

• Visit Cable Beach and learn history
• Explore Gantheaume Point and beach walk
• View Jetty, Wharf, and red cliffs
• Visit Broome Japanese Cemetery
• See Town Beach and WWII art installation
• Check Roebuck Bay and Streeters Jetty
• Learn indigenous history at lookout
• Pass by Sun Pictures theatre
• Pass original Pearl Luggers Jetty
• Walk through pearling history lane
• Discover Chinatown and Streeters Jetty

The Experience

The tour starts with Cable Beach, where your guide walks you through the history of the name itself and the key figures who shaped it, including Lord McAlpine's role in developing the area. From there you move to Gantheaume Point, a red-rock headland overlooking the Indian Ocean where you'll see dinosaur footprints, learn about indigenous rock art, and walk on the white sand beach at the Cable Beach end if the tide allows. The guide shares stories about Anastasia's Pool and the landscape itself—the kind of detail that makes sense of what you're standing in front of.

The route takes in the jetty and wharf at the entrance to Roebuck Bay, then moves to the Broome Japanese Cemetery, the largest Japanese cemetery outside Japan. Your guide explains the history carved into the headstones and the serenity of the place. Town Beach comes next, where you see the turquoise water, red dirt and mangroves, plus the new WWII bombings art installation and the Staircase to the Moon lookout—a vantage point built to frame the indigenous history of the area. The final stop is Chinatown, where the guide covers the pearling history and the diverse stories of the district, including Sun Pictures, the world's oldest operating open-air picture garden, built in 1913 as an Asian emporium and converted to a cinema that once seated 500 people. If you want to spend time exploring Chinatown on your own, you can stay behind and take the local Explorer Bus back to your accommodation for under $5.

The tour runs 2.5 hours in an air-conditioned vehicle, with minimal walking and thoughtful touches like chilled towels and water. Your guide picks you up at your accommodation and can drop you at your hotel, the Broome CBD, Cable Beach, or the airport afterward. Luggage storage is available on the bus, so you can tour and then head straight to your flight if your timing works that way. Collapsible wheelchairs can be accommodated if you're traveling with someone to help with boarding.

What’s included

• Professional local guide.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• chilled towels and refreshments.
• pickup and drop-off at your accommodation, Broome CBD, Cable Beach or the airport.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Broome and Around Bus Charters and Tours

Is this one for you?Book this as your first tour in Broome—everything in the town makes more sense after you've heard the stories and history behind the places. The fixed route and local guide mean you don't have to piece together which stops matter and why; you arrive already oriented.

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Top questions

What is the Japanese Cemetery in Broome and why is it significant?

The Broome Japanese Cemetery is the largest Japanese cemetery outside Japan. Your guide explains the history and the carved headstones that reflect the serenity and cultural importance of the site, which is tied to Broome's pearling industry heritage.

Can I get dropped at the airport after the tour instead of my hotel?

Yes. The tour includes pickup and drop-off at any accommodation in Broome, the CBD, Cable Beach, or the airport, so you can arrange to be taken to the airport after the tour ends.

What is Sun Pictures and when was it built?

Sun Pictures is the world's oldest operating open-air picture garden. Built in 1913, it was originally an Asian emporium selling imported goods and clothing, then converted into a cinema that seated up to 500 people and remains in operation today.

Will I have time to walk on the beach at Gantheaume Point?

On most days, yes—the tour includes a walk on the white sand beach at the Cable Beach end of Gantheaume Point, where you'll also see red rock formations and dinosaur footprints. The walk depends on the tide, so your guide will let you know what's possible on the day.

Is there free time to explore Chinatown on my own?

You can choose to disembark in Chinatown and spend free time exploring the district at your own pace, then make your way back to your accommodation on the Broome Explorer Bus for under $5.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes a professional local guide, air-conditioned transport, chilled towels and refreshments, and pickup and drop-off at your accommodation or another location in Broome.