6 best things about Broome in the wet season

See a different side to Broome in the lesser-known wet season, running from October to March.

From rattling electrical storms to where the locals hang out, here’s how to get sticky, sweaty, and surprisingly happy in the Western Australian pearling town.

Sea turtles nest on Cable Beach over monsoonal Broome. Picture: Fleur Bainger

1. Turtle tracking

Sea turtles nest on Cable Beach over monsoonal Broome, something peak season visitors miss. Volunteers mark dune nest sites daily, usually found north of the Cable Beach vehicle ramp and rocks. As a protection measure, cars have recently been banned from this usually busy 4WD zone, from December 1 to February 28. From January, dawn beach walks may grant observations of itty bitty flat back turtles scampering to the water. Details are posted on the Kimberley Parks and Wildlife Service Facebook page, which also lists crocodile sightings and prescribed burns.

Wet season skies from Broome Golf Club. Picture: Fleur Bainger

2. Sky shows

Spectacular lightning storms and towering cloud stacks that look like white scrunchies on a thick underlay of grey are a big part of Broome’s wet season fun. Locals obsess about the weather - join the Broome Weather Group Facebook page to see the daily flurry of comments. They joke about “The Broome Dome” whereby big weather consistently passes the township by (occasional cyclone excepted). The best places to watch storms rolling in? Broome Golf Club on Broome’s highest hill, Town Beach jetty, the Roebuck Bay Lookout and the Mangrove Hotel. Sunsets are also at their most glorious during the wet; watch them at Cable Beach. 

The famous sunset camel ride along Cable Beach in Broome, Western Australia.

3. Keeping cool

Do Broome like a local, not like a tourist. That means rising at dawn for an early walk, tour or exploration, chased by breakfast. Then, lounge by your resort pool or visit air-conditioned attractions, taking things slow, smelling frangipanis and tuning into the cicadas until temperatures drop from about 3pm. Plan all outdoor activities for after this time; going where coastal breezes will reach you is best – particularly Cable Beach. It’s the perfect time to do a sunset camel ride while the beach is seasonally closed to cars, chased with dinner at the new Cable Beach House or perennial favourite, Cable Beach Club.

Hit Zookeepers up for a tasty feed. Picture: Zookeepers Broome

4. Coldies with locals

Humid days drive thirst, and locals like to hydrate at several watering holes that stay open all wet season. “The Spinny” is the new Spinifex Brewery, home to a popular Monday quiz night and a great place to watch live sport. The infamous, dog-eared “Roey” or Roebuck Bay Hotel hosts its own quiz night on Tuesdays. Home of mango beer, Matso’s Brewery also has its doors open, as does Divers Tavern and the new cocktail bar, Broome Closet. On the non-alcoholic front, Zookeepers cafe house bakes addictive pastries all wet season - don’t miss the sourdough cinnamon buns. For coffee and snacks, Short Street Café and new breakfast joint, Haven also stay open.

Weave in and out of dunes on a dawn walk

5. Dawn walks

Minyirr Park weaves alongside Cable Beach and has several signposted walk trails in and around the dunes. The shortest is the blue Nagula walk, a 20-30min ocean trail marked by a Goolil (turtle) symbol. Longer trails, Lurujarri and Minyirr go for 2-3 hours; you’ll need to rise early for those, with temperatures climbing from 7am. In town, the coastal walking path along cinnamon-red Town Beach to the new precinct’s fishing jetty reveals a poignant aluminium sculpture of nine figures. They stand in memory of a devastating WW2 air raid on Broome conducted by nine Japanese Zero fighter aircraft and are inscribed with historical stories. 

Black Stump Gallery. Picture: @cjmaddock

6. Gallery hop

The allure of an air-conditioned art gallery cannot be underestimated. Black Stump Gallery is open all wet season, curated with Broome, Kimberley and Western Australian artists and the works inspired by the region. Caress silk prints, marvel at high fashion creations and consider laser-cut earrings of black cockatoos, freshwater crayfish and goanna at Aboriginal women’s art centre, Nagala Jarndu. Garments have story cards attached to the tags, describing each artist, their language group and what their design represents.

Originally published as 6 best things about Broome in the wet season