The town side: what is actually in Broome
Cable Beach runs north out of town facing the Indian Ocean. It is a popular place to watch the sunset.
Gantheaume Point, south of Cable Beach, is red pindan cliff with dinosaur footprints at low tide. The water below it is the clearest on this stretch of coast.
In town, the Pearl Luggers site covers Broome's pearling history, and the Courthouse and Chinatown are a short walk apart.
Between March and October the full moon rises over the exposed mudflats at Roebuck Bay. The Staircase to the Moon is a real optical effect, not a marketing name.
- Cable Beach, north of town, best at sunset
- Gantheaume Point, red cliffs and reef at low tide
- Pearl Luggers and Chinatown, in the town centre
- Broome Bird Observatory, on the mudflats east of town
- Staircase to the Moon, March to October, on the tide
Planning day trips from Broome
The Great Northern Highway provides a sealed route out of Broome. Check the final access road and current conditions before travelling to a beach or campground, and confirm that your rental agreement permits the full route.
Inland, plan the route to Fitzroy Crossing and Danggu Geikie Gorge around current road and park conditions.
Where the seal ends: Derby and the Gibb
Derby is approximately 220 km from Broome by road. The Gibb River Road crosses the Kimberley and is mainly unsealed; Main Roads WA describes the road itself as 647 km long.
Before booking a 4WD camper, confirm that your rental agreement permits the specific roads and check current road conditions. A 4WD does not make a closed road accessible.
The operator lists permitted roads per vehicle and in its rental agreement. The agreement, not this page, is what applies to your hire.
The season decides more than the vehicle
Conditions vary throughout the Kimberley. Rain can close unsealed routes, and sealed roads can also be affected by flooding. Check the current Main Roads WA travel map before each leg and leave time for changes.
Distances, fuel and the first night
Fill up before you leave town, carry water, and do not plan to arrive at a remote campground after dark on your first night. The next major supply point in any direction is a long way off, and the distances are not recoverable once you are out there.
If you are taking the Gibb, a personal locator beacon is worth carrying: there are long stretches with no phone coverage at all.
| Destination | Surface | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Derby | Sealed | 220 km |
| Fitzroy Crossing | Sealed | 396 km |
| Kununurra | Sealed highway | 1,044 km |
| Gibb River Road | Mostly unsealed | 647 km, road length |
Questions on this road
Do I need a 4WD to see Broome itself?
The town has sealed-road options. Check the final access road, current conditions and your rental agreement for each destination; remote tracks may require a suitable 4WD.
Can I hire a normal passenger car in Broome?
The operator this site covers lists its economy cars for the Cairns depot only. From Broome it hires campervans and 4WD campers. If you specifically need a sedan or hatch, Broome has other rental companies at the airport, and this site does not cover them.
How long does the drive to Derby take?
Allow time for stops and check current road conditions before leaving. Travel time depends on conditions and your route.
Who do I actually book with, and whose terms apply?
Bookings, payment, vehicle availability and rental conditions belong to the operator. Their terms and conditions apply to the hire, not this site’s. This site only helps you work out which vehicle suits the trip.
When is the Staircase to the Moon visible?
On the full moon between roughly March and October, when the tide is low enough to expose the mudflats at Roebuck Bay. The dates shift each month, so check a current tide and moon table for the month you are travelling.