Seems visitor numbers have been declining since 2007, I'm not surprised, down 11% last year, one of the few places we have visited where I felt like I was little more than a wallet on wheels, we wont return.
Had close to 2 years in Broome and their prices are simular to any where else. Bunnings sames as perth, woolworths the same as perth, services a bit dearer but realistate rental forces those price up on an horly rate. caravan park fees not as high as some in the popular spots on the east coast, plenty of free things to do also. Will I go back, if up that way I will make a side trip but not for any lenth of time
cheers
blaze
Ps if you are up that way what ever you do don't just drive past on some ones say so, drop in for a week and make up your own mind.
Agree Blaze. I went to Longreach last year to check out the Stockman's Hall Of Fame but was disappointed. It was highly recommended. What one person likes the next might not.
I have heard that Broom is very expensive and not worth the effort but I will visit when in the area to judge myself. Silly going all that way from the Eastern States and not at least visit.
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Agree Blaze. I went to Longreach last year to check out the Stockman's Hall Of Fame but was disappointed. It was highly recommended. What one person likes the next might not.
I have heard that Broom is very expensive and not worth the effort but I will visit when in the area to judge myself. Silly going all that way from the Eastern States and not at least visit.
Our feeling exactly Doug, and that's exactly what we did.
Re the Stockmans Hall of Fame, we visited it about a month back and thought it was worth every cent, so there you go, what's one mans meat is another mans poison, sadly Longreach has been hit hard by the drought and is very much reliant on tourism, however unlike Broome it still retains it's historic flavour and is not just another modern city full of supermarkets and modern architecture.
Seems visitor numbers have been declining since 2007, I'm not surprised, down 11% last year, one of the few places we have visited where I felt like I was little more than a wallet on wheels, we wont return.
-- Edited by Santa on Monday 15th of September 2014 05:08:18 PM
We had 3 nights in Broome in July, which is the rip off season. I needed a gas bottle refilled, one of the service stations [BP] wanted $40 to refill a 9 Kg bottle. so I went to Bunnings and exchanged the bottle for $23.
You can only help those that help themselves.
If you burn peoples fingers, they can`t get money out of their pockets.
Also their is no public dump point in town. What else do you expect when one of the park owners is a councillor. [A conflict of interest.]
Broome?.. pfft.. wouldn't bother going back again...
but, i did get a great deal from the Willie Creek Pearl farm...
the other thing that made it worthwhile was during a downpour the roads flooded to like 6 inches deep.. as i was filling the car of fuel, aboriginals came in under the servo shelter to get out of the rain.. there was this one aboriginal guy that was 3/4 wasted drinking a beer as he was crossing the road when a big 4 x 4 came flying down the road and covered this guy with water flying off the car...
he swore, yelled out, went to throw his beer at the car.. looked at it and because it was still half full decided not to throw it... but kept on yelling and swearing..
well... i had to hop into the car behind tinted window as i was laughing so hard.. in fact... i reckon i laughed for about a week..
Yes this was covered on the news in SA tonight,,, THEIR SOLUTION
Broome needs to be "rebranded",, how many times have we heard this word over the years for many things.
On guy suggested more mining / tourist flights be morphed (or a key word I can't recall) to increase numbers. Bali, Darwin and Cairns are now their main competitors it seems.
NOTHING ABOUT GN's OR THOSE DRIVING INTO THE AREA.
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Broome is suffering badly from local tourists as the vast majority of WA'ers go to Bali - its so much cheaper for the flight, accommodation and food than Broome. They now have to depend on the Asians.
Some hotels are suffering badly - in last weeks Weekend Australian was a full page advert - 6 days/ 5 nights in a 5 star hotel, many meals and access to paid tourist spots.
Just goes to show - you can only rip people off for so long before they bite back !!
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Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
if you are in the area go have a look for yourself, been there twice would not return unless the prices dropped, over the past few years they have been a rip of the tourist town IMHO
Broome is suffering badly from local tourists as the vast majority of WA'ers go to Bali - its so much cheaper for the flight, accommodation and food than Broome. They now have to depend on the Asians.
Some hotels are suffering badly - in last weeks Weekend Australian was a full page advert - 6 days/ 5 nights in a 5 star hotel, many meals and access to paid tourist spots.
Just goes to show - you can only rip people off for so long before they bite back !!
I agree with you. The tourist spots in the South West is suffering just as much as Broome. I've been told its cheaper to go to Bali for a week, than driving down to Margaret River and book into a hotel for a weekend. I don't know I've never been to Bali. Its just not my scene, I'd rather grab a few beers, box of mulies, a couple of snags and spend a couple of days on the beach watching the sun come up and the sun go down. My wife says thank heavens for my simple tastes because it leaves her enough money to frequently go to Singapore with her friends.
if you are in the area go have a look for yourself, been there twice would not return unless the prices dropped, over the past few years they have been a rip of the tourist town IMHO
Yep, rather spend my hard earned dollar where it is more appreciated.
Stayed in Broome for a week or so about 4 years ago and would love to go back and spend more time there. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves so I guess, different strokes for different folks.
BTW! In my observations the caravan park and other amenity prices in the town were no different from many other major tourist areas around Aus and definitely cheaper than some places on the NSW & QLD coast in holiday time.
Cheers
Jon
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Stayed in Broome for a week or so about 4 years ago and would love to go back and spend more time there. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves so I guess, different strokes for different folks.
BTW! In my observations the caravan park and other amenity prices in the town were no different from many other major tourist areas around Aus and definitely cheaper than some places on the NSW & QLD coast in holiday time.
Cheers
Jon
Another thing to consider is that Broome is in a very remote location and costs for goods and services would be greater there than elsewhere, eg; transport for fuel, food and building materials etc etc, also if their electricity is generated by fuel then the CP's and businesses would be paying for the increased costs of the fuel for generating the power.
In regards to Longreach, yes the Stockman's Hall of Fame there is great, however some of their displays have incorrect historical information on them, eg; Jeannie Gunn is buried at Elsey Station, well no, she was buried in Melbourne, and she spent just over 12 months in the NT before returning to Melbourne and Monbulk following her husbands death. Still a remarkable woman and her later work for the diggers overseas was to be applauded (indeed her work was recognised with an award).
I recall a painting at the Stockman's Hall of Fame which referred to the animals shown above and a kangaroo was said to be an emu. Some sloppy details in the museum for a place that is revered by many and an overseas tourist attraction also.
-- Edited by Vic41 on Tuesday 16th of September 2014 08:27:02 PM
Another thing to consider is that Broome is in a very remote location and costs for goods and services would be greater there than elsewhere, eg; transport for fuel, food and building materials etc etc, also if their electricity is generated by fuel then the CP's and businesses would be paying for the increased costs of the fuel for generating the power.
Another aspect of such a remote location as far as GN's are concerned, is that it takes a lot of fuel to get there, and fuel isn't getting any cheaper as time goes on.
Good points Gerty, and the word has probably spread to overseas intending backpackers that Broome clamp the wheels of vehicles illegally camping in Broome now, so that may deter some from going there, along with the increased fuel prices.
Not so long ago, I researched going to Broome and couldn't believe the prices for hotels there. Given the cost to fly from Brisbane etc, it is unfortunately far cheaper to fly to Phuket (Thailand) and stay for 2 weeks than it is to go to Broome for a week.
My wife has a cousin that runs a tourist fishing / camping set up at Kununurra and we'll probably kick onto to Broome once we get on the road next year.
Re the point about a local Councillor owning a caravan park and hence no dump point in town - well maybe Tracey Grimshaw can get on his case
We Left Broome on Monday. Some things are expensive but overall it is about the same as any remote tourist destination I have been in. Admittedly the peak season for caravan parks finished on Sept 1. We had a good time, and a lot of people in the park we stayed keep coming back every year. I might never go back but only because I might never come this way again. But it is bloody hot.
Clamping the wheels of overnight campers in Broome...well that takes the cake...what was it I said about some local council officers thinking they were gestapo.
That little piece of advice alone, is enough to make me keep well clear of the place....in my view they deserve to be losing numbers...and I hope they feel it.
