Read an interesting newsletter from a friend today. They have been in Broome for five years and they say tourism has gone downhill over those 5 years. Shops are closing. Economic downturn because the gas people are not allowed. Maybe there will be some spots in those caravan parks for everyone now.
I suspect tourism has gone down because the only interest Broome locals have in tourists is how much they can remove from your wallet during your short stay.
We visited the town recently (very little of the historical Broome left) and found it an unfriendly, expensive, overrated, tourist trap, we won't be returning.
The two redeeming features are the historical museum and Cable beach.
I'm very interested to hear those remarks because that is exactly how I feel about the place. Amazing sunsets, beautiful part of the country but I have never felt so unwanted and taken for a ride anywhere else in my travels. I think the only tourists they want are those from the South of WA. The rest of us are an imposition so rip you off to cover their wet season (which I was told by two "service providers". And I use the term service loosely....
So very sad after waiting so long to go there. I'm very glad I have seen it but will not return.
Just spent two weeks there. It grows on you, but sgree it's a rip-off.
Spent my 70th birthday there and restaurant food varied from plain bad to totally inedible. And VERY silly prices
Huge tides mean swimming is difficult (water very shallow).
Other places to avoid are Onslow (yuk) and Derby (dump).
Broome reminded me of a tropical Margaret River, which I have long considered the most over-rated town in Australia.
Cheers, Tony
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Been to Broome twice,reason visited twice was to see if we were wrong after our first visit in thinking negative of the place.
But after our second visit and coming away feeling even more disheartened in the place will never return.
As not really much to do once you visit Cable Beach.. As we say let the back packers have it,but they don't spend the money there as every thing is so expensive and the service is pretty poor from the local services.
Was talking to some travellers from UK yesterday and they mentioned Broome was just over prices and under preformed for them,and I guess that pretty much sums it up.
I am living here ATM and tend to partially agree. There is some really well priced meals available, like roey roast on sunday, buffet style for $18, rsl on Friday night for $10 meat pack, cook it yourself, enogh meat for 2 and as much salad as you want, also other deals about. Blues fish and chips, as good as any where and better than most and priced simular to any where else like perth melb etc. Prices for food at woollies and coles is the same as cities. retra vision and dicky smith is the same orice as is bunnings.
Is it the end of the road, I think so, the touristy things are the same sort of prices as any other simular places.
maybe the people that complain the most come with a perceived conception.
We arrived on the back of a truck broken down and the locals could not do enouth for us, rold we could have a hire car and pay sometime in the future (topless car rentals), did need to take up the offer but it was apriated. Had lots of simular offers in the first week.
Look Brrome has its faults but I don't think it deserve some of the comments without some rebuffle
We will be here for another 12 months
cheers
blaze
Been to Broome twice,reason visited twice was to see if we were wrong after our first visit in thinking negative of the place.
But after our second visit and coming away feeling even more disheartened in the place will never return.
As not really much to do once you visit Cable Beach.. As we say let the back packers have it,but they don't spend the money there as every thing is so expensive and the service is pretty poor from the local services.
Was talking to some travellers from UK yesterday and they mentioned Broome was just over prices and under preformed for them,and I guess that pretty much sums it up.
Re the back packers not spending any mony, I am working at the KImberley Klub as a duty manager and your statement is totally incorredt.
The backpackers have already paid for there trip home at the end of their visa, they work hard, some with 3 jobs and 70hrs a week. They are clean and extremely well behaved even when intoxicated, noisy yes but all happy. the irish and poms are the biggest drinkers, the Asians the most polite and hardest workers. The aussie the most TROUBLE and least disaplind
