Broome Guide: Brad Symons

Broome is justifiably famous for its sunsets — best watched from Cable Beach or Gantheaume Point, according to consensus — but for Brad Symons, a local resident of 11 years, it’s the light show at the other end of the day that’s really special.

“(Living) right on Roebuck Bay, we get to wake up every morning to the sunrise over Roebuck Bay and it’s breathtaking, and probably beats everything in Broome for me,” Brad says.

“Everybody raves about the Cable Beach sunsets and they are amazing, they are beautiful, but particularly wet-season skies, with the cloud in the sky, some of the sunrises I’ve seen are truly amazing. The red has a real fire in it early in the morning.”

Originally from northern New South Wales, Brad is a keen fisherman who relishes the opportunity to fish at Dampier Creek or at the beaches north of town near Willie Creek. The latter stretch of coast is a favourite spot to take visitors for a day of walking on the coast, exploring the rock pools and toasting the sunset with a glass of champagne.

“It’s all within an hour and you can do a trip up there and back in a day,” Brad says. People get a taste of what they might have seen on a five-day trip to Cape Leveque.

The general manager of Broome-Time Accommodation for eight years, Brad has recently explored another passion by opening a small art gallery at the property, showcasing Kimberley indigenous artists, including Edwin Lee Mulligan and Regina and Lillian Karadada.

Having studied art when he was younger, Brad has got to know many local artists and says it’s been rewarding to help them exhibit and sell their work. “It’s been an incredible experience personally as well, to understand the way indigenous artists create and to listen to the stories and their attachment to country — it’s really quite remarkable.”

For details on Broome-Time Accommodation & Art Gallery, see broometimeaccommodation.com.au.