Broome’s Famous Camels

You’ve escaped to Broome, checked out the town and had sunset drinks on the beach, so now it’s time to take a camel ride on Cable Beach!

Twice a day, Broome’s camel teams head here to wait for their riders. Everything looks peaceful on the beach as the camels wait but it hasn’t always been like this. Recently the Broome council decided to award one license to the highest bidder but this was overturned when other operators claimed it was unfair. Today, three companies operate camel tours

Decked in their colours, they provide a perfect photo opportunity on the beach.

When you look closely at the camels, you notice that each camel has their own, distinct appearance. After speaking to their handlers, I found out that they have different personality traits as well. Some are friendly, a few are grumpy, many are cuddly and there’s the odd naughty one but most just love the attention they receive.

Bad hair day

Only a mother would love it!

Once everyone’s on board, they are on their way for the walk along Cable Beach

The camels all wear ‘pooper scooper’ bags so there’s now no need for someone to follow behind and clean up after them!

The latest, must have accessory -the pooper scooper bag!

Sunset is is the most popular time to go for a ride. The walk home, as the sun slowly sets is truly beautiful

Returning home

Sunset

 
 

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Sunset Drinks on Cable Beach

I’m in heaven! I’m sitting on Cable Beach in Broome, champagne in hand and watching an amazing sunset.

Every evening about 5pm, everyone heads to Cable Beach to watch the sunset.
Take the car and find a spot on the beach, bring a rug and picnic on the grass overlooking the beach, find a seat at the Sunset Bar at Cable Beach Resort or take an evening camel ride.
The options are many! In a week you can do all of these!

Imagine you are here!

Watching the sunset from the Sunset Bar

Watching from the grassed area looking over the beach

Walking,swimming or playing on the beach

Taking your car onto the beach

Enjoying a sunset camel ride

The sun starts to set…..

Slowly disappearing

Going, going...

Nearly gone...

The camels return home after sunset

Time for one more drink!

 

 

 

 

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Escape to Broome

The annual winter migration to Broome starts around the end of May. Grey nomads pulling large caravans head north only to return when the weather starts to get too hot. We joined the exodus last month and spent a fabulous week staying with friends in the warmth and sunshine of Broome.

Broome from the air

Two and a half hours by plane from Perth and you are in a different world even though you are still in Western Australia.
Those that must have the sun’s rays beating down on them, head straight to Cable Beach, Broome’s famous beach where twenty two miles of beautiful white sand and turquoise water goes on forever.

Cable Beach looking south

 

Looking north on Cable Beach

The tides are dramatic here. By lunch time, half the beach disappears only to return later in the day as the tide recedes. The patterns left on the sand can be very beautiful

Patterns in the sand!

After a morning on the beach, it’s time to head to town for a coffee and to pick up the morning’s papers. In a converted Broome house overlooking the Roebuck Bay, Matso’s is very popular. Try their ginger beer- it’s excellent

Matso's

The central area of Broome is known as Chinatown, a tribute to the early days of the pearling industry for which Broome is famous. Multicultural influences of this time can still be seen in the main street with old buildings mixing with new.

Carnarvon St

 

Another view

 

Johny Chi Lane in Carnarvon St

 

Also in the main street is Sun Pictures, the world’s oldest picture theatre. With beautiful nights here, it’s fun to sit outside under the stars and watch the latest Hollywood blockbuster.

Sun Picture Theatre

 

Broome is the place to buy pearls. It’s very easy to get carried away but there is one pearl that is not for sale. At Cygnet Bay Pearls in Dampier Terrace, you can see the world’s largest round pearl and chat to its finder, Jacko. With a diameter of 22.24mm and circumference of 70mm, it’s a knockout!

World's largest round pearl

 

About 5 pm, you will find most people return to Cable Beach to watch the amazing sunsets

 

Once a month, at the time of the full moon, the place to be is overlooking the mud flats of Roebuck Bay. At a time when the tide is at its lowest and the moon is at its fullest, the natural phenomenon known as the ‘Staircase to the Moon’ takes place. The reflection of the moon on the exposed mud flats creates the optical illusion of a staircase reaching the moon. Our timing was not perfect- we were a day early!

Not quite the 'Staircase to the Moon'

 

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Postcard from………..Broome

Sitting on Cable Beach, champagne in hand and watching the camels parade at sunset.
A perfect finish to the day!

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