Broome.

moamajohn · Guru

Broome.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

I sort of agree with you, I think it is overrated - first time we stayed at the Rifle Club, next time Broomes Gateway, 5k west of Roebuck Plains Roadhouse - lovely spot - no power though. Solar or generator, which can run from 9am-8pm I think it was.

The town itself I found a bit sad - like trying to hold on to its reputation of remoteness - but that was lost when more and more people started travelling with their caravans, the roads were well maintained - etc., - the place was opened up to the travelling public. No atmosphere.

Even the dinosaurs left...............

villatranquilla · Guru

have been twice (March 2013 and April 2015) and found it an interesting place with interesting history but won't go back, just didn't 'do' it for us but then again we also generally avoid busy coastal towns too. Horses for courses.

Tony Bev · Guru

I have been through Broome only twice, in the last few years

I found it very commercialised

I had heard on the grapevine that the Broome number plates start with BM, someone mentioned that it was also an abbreviation for Big Money

Desert Dweller · Guru

Like quite a few destinations around our country, if you haven't been to Broome or done the Gibb River road you haven't done anything.

That's according to the happy hour conversation bible.

So many other great places to see, why would you bother? Get away from it all in Broome & find that it's all followed you there.

Meredith · Senior Member

We spent a week in Broome when we travelling up there a few years ago. We probably wouldn't have stayed that long, but we were sitting out the October school holidays there before heading to Karijini which is apparently booked solid in the school holidays. By that time of year it was reasonably quiet in the park and the town, and we enjoyed ourselves, spending time at the beach and doing some day drives north. But we wouldn't rave about it and a week was well and truly long enough. On our planned return trip up that way we expect to only stay there a few days to shop and get the washing done etc. That said my brother in law and his wife travel to Broome most winters from Melbourne and spend 6 to 8 weeks there, meeting some friends of theirs there, and they love it. Different folks like different things luckily.

Moonraker · Senior Member

We had the same feeling at Coffs Harbour. I think we listen and watch the adverts on these places which increases our expectations only to find that they are really just normal larger outback or country towns. Usually in a great location. Broome for us is located reasonably close to some very interesting places such as those found up the cape and the gibb etc. So for me its good to restock, service etc for the wife is market day fix.

RustyD · Guru

If you think van parks are outrageous in the West, try the Tweed Coast in NSW and from Geelong around the Bellarine Peninsula to the Great Open Road and heading west. $100 per night for a van spot with a beach frontage at Portarlington for Easter.
www.bellarinebayside.com.au/images/accommodation/Tariff_Sheet_2017-2018.pdf

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Strange how prices vary . We rang weeks in advance to book caravan park . Was over $80 a day . Then cruising up the WA coast the Mrs rang to book . Same CP different number this time direct to CP . Our stay for four nights was $38 . So we changed the time to 8 days . They said great thatâs $35 a night .. I have a feeling the first call was through an agent ? We got the CP number off Wiki camps .. Yes compared to other places on the west it is commercialised .. We still enjoyed Broom . Agree we often have high expectations. You need to budget and go out on day trips to see things that are not capable of seeing by car or foot ..

Possum3 · Guru

They can't get the "Mining Boom" mentality out of their costings - it has been that way throughout the west (Including Perth because of FIFO) for years. They spent an absolute fortune on overpriced land and facilities and are now really feeling the downturn - In many cases they didn't remember every Boom ends with a Bust.

RustyD · Guru

If you go direct to the CP site, you can often see all sorts of deals - long weekend, weeks night only, 3 days with 4th night free (sometimes is a sister part), discount as part of booking group (eg.Big4), senior/pensioners cards. Rarely pay or book up front. Never know when you may come across something very good a further 100kms up the road or the place you were planning is a lot less than average.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

I can't remember when I booked a caravan park, before going. I like to see what it is like, we were kindly given 7 nights in a Big 4, popular coastal town, southern NSW - after about 4 days we were bored with the whole place - not a lot in the town, and a display that used to be free now costs $10pp!

We mostly free camp, or low cost/donation. If we do stay in a park we would rather not pay over $25, that is all they are worth, about $1 of power is all most people will use in a nigh, you don't get 24 hours - book in at 2pm - be gone by 10am. We also look for showgrounds or recreation reserves = usually pretty good value.

blaze · Guru

IMHO you cant do Broome in a week
I had 2 years there, that includes 2 wet seasons. A place magic happens. Truly a wonderful place with beautiful people. If you make time to meet the locals your eyes will be opened to a world tourist and flybys don't get to see. we paid $200 a week plus power for our onsuite site. The cost of most every day type stuff was simular to perth or any where else, Bunnings was well stock but small with the same price as any where else. The Kimberley has a certain calling
cheers
blaze

Eaglemax · Guru

Visited there in 2016. Wont go back. Agree with the negative responses, too commercialized, no character, waste of time.

The west coast however along with the south was great.

I cant put my finger on the actual reason. You either get that vibe or you don't.

rayaroundoz · Senior Member

I love Broome but then I may be a little biased because my brother lives there and I can stay at his property so no accommodation costs. In the past have stayed at resorts which were not that expensive when you book ahead and look for the good deals.

What I most like about Broome is the chill out factor. Laid back, relaxing. Perhaps it is because I still work fulltime that I appreciate Broome so much. It is a place to escape and the weather is devine (well maybe not so much when I was there last) but even warm rain is better than freezing cold rain down here in SW WA.

Perhaps I will feel different next year when there is no income and I am in Broome

Grubbygypsy · Senior Member

Spot on Poss.
Visited there, lived there. It's just another WA country town (with associated problems if you get my drift), that has a kind of nice beach, albeit with crocs and irukanji.
Last time I visited was long enough (15 minutes) to get supplies to keep going.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

blaze wrote:
IMHO you cant do Broome in a week
I had 2 years there, that includes 2 wet seasons. A place magic happens. Truly a wonderful place with beautiful people. If you make time to meet the locals your eyes will be opened to a world tourist and flybys don't get to see. we paid $200 a week plus power for our onsuite site. The cost of most every day type stuff was simular to perth or any where else, Bunnings was well stock but small with the same price as any where else. The Kimberley has a certain calling
cheers
blaze

You are probably right Blaze - you get a completely different aspect on a place when you live there for a while. Very hard when on limited time to meet many locals, and see much more than the usual touristy things.

Do you miss the place?

blaze · Guru

jules47 wrote:
blaze wrote:
IMHO you cant do Broome in a week
I had 2 years there, that includes 2 wet seasons. A place magic happens. Truly a wonderful place with beautiful people. If you make time to meet the locals your eyes will be opened to a world tourist and flybys don't get to see. we paid $200 a week plus power for our onsuite site. The cost of most every day type stuff was simular to perth or any where else, Bunnings was well stock but small with the same price as any where else. The Kimberley has a certain calling
cheers
blaze
You are probably right Blaze - you get a completely different aspect on a place when you live there for a while. Very hard when on limited time to meet many locals, and see much more than the usual touristy things.
Do you miss the place?

YES, shouted from the roof

cheers

blaze

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Birdo · Veteran Member

Hi
We love Broome the only thing against it for us it is approximately 11000 ks return trip.
First time we went to a business conference there in 1993 and fell in love with Broome and the beautiful area that it is in.Some of the most beautiful areas in Australia.
Stayed there for three weeks in the caravan in 1995 and again for four weeks in 2003 in the caravan.
We dont do things because they have to be done but we go to an area for a reason.
The reason we go to Broome is ,among many other things,is looking at the migratory waders ,birds,that come to Roebuck Bay in their thousands ,from Siberia,in our summer and many thousands stay over for our winter before returning to Siberia in March/April.
So you dont have to visit Broome in our summer to see the migratory waders.
I can not understand any bird watchers that have not made the effort to visit there and see the thousands of waders in Roebuck Bay which is regarded as one of the most important places for migratory waders in the world.
Every member of the Birdlife Group that i am in has visited Broome at least once.
We love Broome but unfortunately next time will be flying and staying in one of the resorts.
Cheers

Peter1059 · Senior Member

We will be in Broome in Sep this year, after doing some research we found the C Pks are charging $60 a night.... and they wonder why travellers are questioning if they should go let alone go back for a second visit

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

We found 80 mile beach camping area EXCELLENT. South of Broom . Take your time down the last few klrs down metal road . Youâll get there . Top area . Go back anytime !!