Overview
Broome sits on the remote Kimberley coast of Western Australia, where rust-red pindan cliffs meet the turquoise Indian Ocean. A former pearling port with a genuinely multicultural heart, it is best known for the 22-kilometre sweep of Cable Beach and its blazing sunsets. For UK travellers it is a proper long haul, but a rewarding one that pairs naturally with a few days in Perth or a wider Kimberley trip. For an idea of how fares move through the year, use the price charts on this page.
Best time to fly to Broome
Broome runs on two seasons. The dry season, roughly May to September, brings warm days around 30C, cooler nights, low humidity and clear skies. It is ideal for the beach and outback touring, and also the busiest and most expensive window, especially the July and August school holidays. The wet season, November to March, is hot and humid with tropical downpours and an occasional cyclone, but the landscape is green, crowds thin out and fares ease. April and October are pleasant shoulder months. Check the When to book chart above for the current picture.
Airlines and routes
There are no direct flights from the UK to Broome. Almost everyone routes through an Australian hub, usually Perth, from where Qantas and Virgin Australia fly the roughly two-and-a-half-hour leg to Broome. To reach Perth you can take the Qantas non-stop from London Heathrow, around 17 hours, or connect through the Gulf with Emirates via Dubai, Qatar Airways via Doha or Etihad via Abu Dhabi, or through Asia with Singapore Airlines. Allow around 24 to 30 hours door to door including the transfer. Seats to Broome sell out quickly in peak dry season, so book well ahead.
Things to do in Broome
Broome rewards a slower pace, blending beach days with pearling heritage and raw Kimberley scenery.
- Cable Beach: Endless white sand and Indian Ocean sunsets, famously viewed from the back of a camel.
- Staircase to the Moon: A natural illusion of golden steps as the full moon rises over the Roebuck Bay mudflats, seen between March and October.
- Gantheaume Point: Red cliffs where 130-million-year-old dinosaur footprints are exposed at very low tide.
- Chinatown and Sun Pictures: The historic pearling quarter, home to the world's oldest operating outdoor cinema.
- Willie Creek Pearl Farm: Guided tours showing how Broome's prized South Sea pearls are grown.
At Broome International Airport (BME)
Broome's airport is unusually central, barely 2km from Chinatown and the town centre, with some hotels within walking distance. Cable Beach is about 6km away. There is no train: taxis wait outside for the short run into town, many hotels offer courtesy transfers, and car hire desks on site are worth booking if you plan to explore the wider Kimberley.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Broome
- Book roughly two to five months ahead for dry-season travel, as peak fares appear early and rarely soften.
- Travel in the shoulder months of April, October or November for warm weather and noticeably lower prices.
- Keep your dates flexible: moving the long-haul leg to midweek and avoiding Australian school holidays can cut the total cost.
- Compare hub routings, as the Perth non-stop, a Gulf connection or an Asian stopover can differ widely. Check the price charts on this page before you commit.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders need a visa before flying. Most apply online for the free eVisitor (subclass 651), which allows stays of up to three months for tourism. The currency is the Australian dollar; pounds are not accepted, though cards are used almost everywhere. No special vaccinations are required, but strong sun protection is essential, and stinger or crocodile warnings on some beaches and creeks should always be heeded. Broome is 7 to 8 hours ahead of the UK.
