Advertisement

Joy of summertime in Broome

Pool at Broome's Cable Beach Club. Picture: Supplied

To arrive in Broome is to arrive in a magical place. This is an ancient area - the traditional grounds of the Yawuru indigenous people of WA.

With its rich red pindan, ironstone and manganese-ore rock formations, mangrove stands, jigal and boab trees, goannas, wallabies and dinosaur prints, it's easy to be reminded of the Dreaming past in this modern Kimberley town's vibrant present.

Part of the town's diverse history records that enemy aircraft attacked Broome at least four times during World War II.

These days air visits are a little less perilous with daily flights in and out of Broome International Airport. And unlike the Broome of bygone years visitors are spoilt with choices of places to stay and things to do.

Accommodation ranges from caravan and camping sites to backpacker hostels and resorts.

At the luxury end of the spectrum the options are world class.

There are the villas, tents and beach houses of Eco Beach Resort, a pampered experience south of Broome built with minimal impact on the environment; the contemporary Bali Hai and The Pearle of Cable Beach with its five-star self-contained living.

For this traveller, though, it's something less modern, less glass and chrome that draws me back to Broome year after year. It's the 10.5ha oasis of the Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa. This serene garden enclave of wooden boardwalks and relaxed charm was the dream of the late Lord Alistair McAlpine, who opened the resort's doors in 1988.

The property is now under the stewardship of Hawaiian Group managers Ron Sedon and Stuart Kentish, who know and respect the legacy of their charge.

Some of Broome's best dining options also fit snugly within the compound - the signature Club Restaurant, the Sunset Bar and Grill, the Thai Pearl and the Japanese-inspired pop-up, Zensai.

Summer is a particularly good time to visit. It can be hot but sitting poolside with a gin and tonic in hand takes the sting out of even the hottest of days.

There are fewer people at this time of year and, best of all, many Broome properties offer deals including significantly discounted room rates, complimentary breakfasts, free additional days - or all three.

Other favourite Broome diversions include enjoying a craft wheat beer and a meal at Matso's Brewery, a cold beer at the Broome Golf Club, checking out the seafood on offer at The Wharf Restaurant at the port and visiting the Bali Hai Cafe to sample the local produce.

When you're finished with the calories, high on the list of activities should be a night at Sun Pictures, the world's oldest picture garden still in operation. There are also seaplane, fixed-wing or helicopter flights to Cape Leveque or Horizontal Falls, pearl-farm tours, an amazing evening gazing at the heavens with Greg Quicke on one of his Astro Tours, fishing charters, or simply strolling along Cable Beach.

Broome promises and delivers ancient vistas and modern luxuries. So whenever you visit this landmark Kimberley town enjoy the magic.