Broome: Panoramic Bus Tour with Local Stories & Hotel Pickup

Summary

Broome’s wild colors, pearl legends and old cinema magic in one easy ride

You’ll feel Broome’s wild colors up close — red cliffs at Gantheaume Point, pearl-diver tales at the Japanese Cemetery, breezy stops at Town Beach and Chinatown’s open-air cinema. With pickup from your hotel and cold towels on board, you’ll get local stories (and maybe a laugh) along with every view.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered why the dirt here is so red it almost glows? That was my first thought as we rolled out of Cable Beach — our guide, Pete (who grew up here), just grinned and said it’s iron oxide, but honestly it looked like Mars next to that turquoise water. The bus was cool inside (thank god, because outside felt like stepping into an oven), and Pete kept tossing out stories about Lord McAlpine and the old days. I’d never heard half of them before. He even pointed out a spot where you can sometimes see dinosaur footprints if the tide’s right — we missed them this time, but I liked knowing they were out there somewhere.

Gantheaume Point was wild — the wind whipped my hat off at least twice, and the rocks really are that bright in person. Pete handed out icy towels (I pressed mine to my neck for ages) while he talked about indigenous paintings hidden around the cliffs. There was this salty tang in the air from the ocean, mixed with something earthy I couldn’t quite place. At Town Beach, we stopped to look at the WWII bombings art installation; I didn’t expect to feel much but it hit me harder than I thought, seeing those names and hearing about what happened here. Kids were running around by the new jetty and an old guy was fishing off the end — just another Tuesday for him.

I’m not usually into cemeteries but the Japanese Cemetery surprised me. Rows of carved headstones under frangipani trees — so quiet you could hear your own shoes crunching gravel. Pete told us about Broome’s pearling past and all these lives that ended far from home. Chinatown was last — Sun Pictures Cinema still runs movies under the stars (the seats are old wooden ones; Pete says bring a cushion if you go). Some people hopped off here to wander back on their own; I stuck with the group for a lift back to my hotel because my legs were done by then.

I keep thinking about those flashes of color: red earth against blue sky, green mangroves at Roebuck Bay, white sand at Cable Beach. It’s a lot to take in for just a 2.5-hour day trip from Broome, but somehow it works — maybe because someone who actually lives here is showing you around instead of just ticking boxes. Anyway, if you want to see Broome without sweating buckets or missing all the weird little stories… this bus tour does it right.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Broome panoramic sightseeing tour

• Pickup from accommodation
• See Cable Beach and hear history
• Visit Gantheaume Point and walk beach
• View Roebuck Bay, Jetty, and red cliffs
• Explore Broome Japanese Cemetery
• Visit Town Beach and WWII art installation
• Check Roebuck Bay lookout and Streeters Jetty
• See indigenous history at new lookout
• Pass Sun Picture Gardens Cinema
• View original Pearl Luggers Jetty
• Walk through Pearling history lane
• Discover Chinatown and Streeters Jetty
• Option to disembark in Chinatown
• Drop off at accommodation

Top questions

How long is the Broome panoramic sightseeing bus tour?

The tour lasts approximately 2.5 hours from pickup to drop-off.

Does the tour include hotel pickup in Broome?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included anywhere in Broome or Cable Beach.

Are there many walking sections on this tour?

No, total walking is about 200 meters spread over several stops.

Is this sightseeing bus tour suitable for seniors or families?

Yes, it’s suitable for all ages and fitness levels; prams and wheelchairs can be accommodated with some assistance.

What sights do you visit during this Broome bus tour?

You’ll see Cable Beach, Gantheaume Point, Town Beach, Roebuck Bay Lookout, Japanese Cemetery, Chinatown and Sun Pictures Cinema.

Are refreshments provided during the tour?

Yes, refreshing iced-cold towels and water are provided on board.

Can I store luggage on the bus if heading to the airport after?

Yes, luggage can be stored on board and airport drop-off is available after your tour if needed.

What’s included

Your day includes air-conditioned transport with hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere in Broome or Cable Beach (or even airport drop-off if needed), a friendly local guide sharing stories at every stop, help with photos whenever you want them taken, plus cold towels and water to keep you comfortable as you explore each site together.