Broome’s a local tourism hero, where beaches are peaches

It looks like paradise and sounds like paradise and it is Australia’s No.1 holiday destination, according to research by online travel ­aggregator Skyscanner.

Holidaymakers Joelle Matier and Jonathan Dean soak up the spring sunshine at Cable Beach in Broome on Tuesday, after their overseas travel plans were scuppered. Picture: Abby Murray

Waves lapping gently on squeaky white sand. Warm sunshine blazing down from a clear sky. If it looks like paradise and sounds like paradise, it probably is paradise.

Unfortunately for anyone outside Western Australia, it’s out of reach for the time being.

Broome has been revealed as Australia’s local hero in the domestic travel stakes. Despite WA’s hard border closure, the beach town is Australia’s No 1 domestic holiday destination, topping flight bookings for January through to December next year, according to new research by online travel ­aggregator Skyscanner.

The report backs up a recent survey by TripAdvisor that named Broome as the most popular ­vacation spot for Australians suffering pent-up wanderlust as the federal government’s ban on overseas travel drags on indefinitely.

Perth couple Joelle Matier, 22, and Jonathan Dean, 24, both had overseas trips cancelled due to COVID-19 and were lapping up the sun on Cable Beach on Tuesday during a six-day break.

Ms Matier, a personal assistant, was on her first trip to Broome, a destination she had overlooked in favour of foreign locations.

“It’s so beautiful, clean, pristine. The temperature is amazing and the beaches are amazing … I would definitely come back,” she said.

Mr Dean, a PhD student, said he hadn’t visited the town for at least 10 years. Broome may not have the charm of North America or Europe, but in terms of beaches it was “right up there” with Southeast Asia.

Joelle Matier and Jonathan Dean pictured at Cable Beach in Broome. Picture: Abby Murray

“I’ll always love going overseas but it’s definitely changed my mind and priorities about where I would go,” he said.

The Skyscanner report shows Australians’ love of international travel remains undimmed too, with London, Tokyo and Kuala Lumpur the three top cities in our sights for next year. Along with Broome, the trio topped the list for economy-class return flights booked between September 1 and 18 for travel next year.

Idyllic Broome. Picture: Adela Disher

For now, though, domestic destinations must suffice and Broome is brushing up well.

Natasha Mahar, chief executive of Australia’s North West Tourism, which encompasses Broome, the Kimberley and the Pilbara, confirmed the town was booming thanks to an influx of WA holidaymakers who would normally head overseas.

“The recent flight specials from Perth to Broome have also had a notable effect with the increase of visitors for this time of year,” Ms Mahar said.

“Many of our WA visitors to Broome are ‘new’, in that they would usually be visiting Europe, North America or high-end Bali. They are discovering the charms of Broome for the first time.”

Cable Beach Resort & Spa in Broome.

James Kavanagh, managing director of Flight Centre Travel Group, also said Broome was trending strongly but it was pipped at the post by Cairns, in the top spot, with the Whitsundays in third position. However, he pointed out that the company’s overall business volume was less than 10 per cent of prior years because of ongoing border restrictions.

“We need to see all the borders in Australia come down and allow safe travel,” Mr Kavanagh said.

Ms Mahar said sunset cruises, Indigenous tours and guided walks were proving “extremely popular” in Broome. Visitors were being advised to book ahead to ­secure a hire car.

Andy Guidera, who owns Broome’s 30-apartment Bali Hai Resort & Spa, said he was experiencing his best September to November occupancies since he opened in 2000, despite the fact that half his guests at this time of year usually come from Victoria.

Deb Williams, of Seashells Broome, is expecting record numbers over summer. “We have seen a huge increase in occupancy from September into 2021, which is ­really promising,” she said.