Broome

April–October (Dry Season) is the only reasonable time to visit — the Kimberley wet season (November–March) makes most road access impossible, the heat is extreme (35–42°C), and the humidity and insects are intense. The dry season from May to September is Broome's best: temperatures 25–33°C, no humidity, and clear blue skies that make the Indian Ocean colours extraordinary. The Staircase to the Moon (when the rising full moon reflects on the exposed tidal mudflats at Town Beach) occurs monthly March–October and is one of Australia's most photographed natural phenomena.

1. Cable Beach sunset and camel rides

Cable Beach is consistently listed among the world's best beaches — 22km of white sand flanked by red pindan cliffs, facing the Indian Ocean. The sunset from Cable Beach on a clear evening, when the sky turns extraordinary shades of red and orange, is genuinely world-class. Camel rides at sunset (AUD $50–70 per person) are the quintessential Cable Beach activity. The beach is free to access; parking is limited in peak season.

2. Gantheaume Point dinosaur tracks

130 million-year-old dinosaur footprints embedded in the red sandstone at Gantheaume Point — accessible only at very low tide and only at the base of the cliffs (a concrete cast of the prints is visible at the top of the cliff at all times). Free. The red cliff and white sand beach at Gantheaume at sunset is extraordinary even without the dinosaur context.

3. Kimberley wilderness — El Questro and the Gibb River Road

The 660km Gibb River Road (unsealed, requiring a 4WD) runs through the Kimberley's ancient gorges, Aboriginal land, and extraordinary wilderness. El Questro Wilderness Park, the Bungle Bungles (Purnululu National Park, dome-shaped beehive formations 200km south of Kununurra), and the horizontal waterfalls of Talbot Bay are the headline attractions. Most can only be accessed by chartered flight from Broome (AUD $350–600 for a fly-drive day trip) or by self-drive 4WD in the dry season.

• Budget motel: AUD $100–150/night. Mid-range hotel or cable beach resort: AUD $200–350/night.
• Cable Beach camel ride: AUD $50–70 per person.
• Flights from Perth: AUD $150–300 return (1.5 hours, daily Qantas and Virgin flights).
• Kimberley wilderness helicopter (horizontal waterfalls): AUD $350–600.
• Pearl jewellery (Broome produces some of the world's finest South Sea pearls): AUD $200–20,000+ depending on pearl quality and setting.

The main safety considerations in Broome and the Kimberley: marine stingers (box jellyfish and Irukandji) are present in coastal waters October–May — swim in stinger suits or in enclosed stinger nets. Saltwater crocodiles inhabit all waterways, estuaries, and coastal areas — never swim in rivers, waterholes, or tidal estuaries. The Kimberley's remote roads: always carry extra water (minimum 20L per person), a satellite communicator, and tell someone your route and expected return time. Fuel between stations can be 300+ km apart.

Day 1: Cable Beach and Town

Morning: Cable Beach swim and walk. Broome town: Chinatown (the original pearling district, Japanese cemetery — 919 graves of Japanese pearl divers), the pearl showroom district (Paspaley, Kailis Brothers). Sunset: Cable Beach camel ride or self-guided sunset position.

Day 2: Gantheaume Point and Pearl Farm

Morning: Gantheaume Point (check tide times for the actual dinosaur tracks). Willie Creek Pearl Farm tour (60km north, AUD $50, see how South Sea pearls are cultured). Afternoon: Town Beach for the Staircase to the Moon (if on a full moon night and March–October).

Day 3: Kimberley day trip

Fly-drive day trip to El Questro gorges or the Horizontal Waterfalls (Talbot Bay — the most extraordinary tidal phenomenon in Australia, accessible only by plane or boat, AUD $400–600 per person). Return to Broome for final sunset dinner.