What’s more rejuvenating than a few nights under the stars? Fortunately, Broome and the stunning Dampier Peninsula is home to some ridiculously cool camping grounds.
If you’re looking to throw down the tent pegs in town, the Shire of Broome only permits camping at caravan parks. Outside of town, you’ll find a dreamy collection of free and fee-paying campsites. Here are some of the best Broome camping experiences.
1. Broome Bird Observatory
Where:Crab Creek Road
Distance from Broome:40 minutes
Price:$
If you’re a twitcher make sure to spend a night at the Broome Bird Observatory; a research and education facility that raises revenue through camping, accommodation, tours and education courses, along with its shop.
Sleep under starry skies in the quiet, unpowered campground, or take it up a notch and book into a self-contained cottage. Amenities include a camp kitchen with all the accoutrements you’ll need to prepare dinner, flushing toilets, hot showers and plenty of bird baths.
See a variety of bird species at Broome Bird Observatory. (Image: Harclade)
2. Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm
Where: Off Cape Leveque Road
Distance from Broome: Two hours and 30 minutes
Price:$
Nestled at the tip of the Dampier Peninsula, this family-owned pearl farmboasts one of the top spots to camp in the Kimberley.
Guests are invited to brush up on their pearl knowledge with farm tours or grading classes, while adventurers can jump aboard boat rides to explore the Buccaneer Archipelago. Sample pearl meat ceviche at the elegant restaurant before taking a dip in the pool.
Laze away the day in your luxury safari tent at Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
Set in a paperbark paddock, the unpowered campsites have campfires, a shared camp kitchen and shared camp toilets. If you seek more comfort, there are luxury safari tents, air-conditioned shacks and the original Master Pearler’s private retreat that sleeps eight.
Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm cultivates the rarest South Sea pearls in the world. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
3. James Price Point (Waldamany)
Where:Off Cape Leveque Road
Distance from Broome: 60 kilometres
Price: Free
With more pristine white sand and red cliffs than you can poke a camera at, camping at James Price Point/Waldamany is a bucket-list Kimberley experience.
Journey through the rugged landscape toward James Price Point. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
Sites at this remote camping spot have a three-day limit and fill up quickly in the dry season. You’ll need to be self-sufficient as there are zero facilities.
For cooling off, there’s a rock pool that’s great for swimming on the outgoing tide. If your timing is spot on you’ll see nesting sea turtles and humpback whales migrating past in the turquoise ocean.
Picture being met with red cliffs, white sand and turquoise waters at James Price Point. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
4. Tarangau Caravan Park
Where: 16 Millington Road, Cable Beach
Distance from Broome: 10 kilometres
Price:$$
If you like small parks, then Tarangau Caravan Park is the perfect place to spend the weekend or an extended break. This gem near Cable Beach (the beach renowned for its camel rides) has powered and unpowered caravan and camping sites, clean bathrooms, laundry, a barbeque area and a camp kitchen.
You can book a wide variety of day and overnight tours at reception, with tour companies collecting you from the front of the park. Selected sites are pet friendly, so call ahead if you’re taking your pooch.
Set up a camp at Tarangau Caravan Park.
5. Natures Hideaway Middle Lagoon
Where:Middle Lagoon Road
Distance from Broome:Two hours
Price:$$
For some of the best views in the Kimberley, make a beeline for one of the unpowered campsites along the escarpment at Natures Hideaway Middle Lagoonon the Dampier Peninsula.
All sites are within easy reach of the beach, the small shop and washing facilities. For those who like four walls between themselves and nature, there are cabins with ensuite bathrooms. You’ll need a 4WD to reach Middle Lagoon, as the road can be very sandy and corrugated in places.
6. Banana Well Getaway
Where: Cape Leveque Road
Distance from Broome:Two hours
Price:$$
Home to pelicans, brolgas, egrets and ibis to name a few, this idyllic location is perfect for fishing and crabbing. Powered and unpowered sites for caravans and campers are available, as well as a range of air-conditioned cabins and three- and four-bedroom houses in tranquil bush settings.
Set up camp by the beach at Banana Well Getaway. (Image: Taryn Yeates)
Other facilities at Banana Well Getawayinclude a small pool, barbeques, fire pits, hot showers and a shop with cold drinks, block ice and fishing bait. Round off your stay with a stop at the nearby community of Beagle Bay, home to the beautiful Sacred Heart Church with its mother-of-pearl shell altar.
Head to the camp kitchen after fishing.
7. Lombadina Aboriginal Corporation
Where:Cape Leveque Road
Distance from Broome: Two hours and 30 minutes
Price:$45 per site
The seaside Aboriginal community of Lombadinawelcomes visitors with accommodation, tours, a bakery (fresh bread three days a week) and a historic bush church constructed from corrugated iron.
Stay is a rustic cabin at Lombadina Aboriginal Corporation. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
The bush-style campsites have shared ablutions, laundry and a barbeque area. Nestled amongst the coconut trees you’ll find several self-contained cabins that sleep up to five adventurers.
Immerse yourself in the local community while you’re there. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
8. Pender Bay Escape
Where: Two Moons Road, Dampier Peninsula
Distance from Broome: Two hours and 30 minutes
Price:$
Your idyllic days at the remote Pender Bay Escapecampsite will be spent fishing, watching whales in the bay, cooling down in the clear water, spotting hermit crabs, and sitting around the campfire.
Campsite C2 is the jewel in the crown, boasting twin outdoor bathtubs with grand ocean views. This hideaway boasts hot showers and toilets – but be warned, they are a fair walk from some sites so best to check the distance to the loo when booking.
9. Gnylmarung Retreat
Where:Middle Lagoon Road, Dampier Peninsula
Distance from Broome: Two hours
Price:$$
Sticking with the coastal theme, Gnylmarungis where you’ll want to shack up if fishing and diving are your jam.
Opt for a tropical getaway at Gnylmarung Retreat.
Run by Alphonse and Delmar in a very low-key fashion, you can take your pick from 35 sites, some with ocean views and others in secluded bushland, with access to solar-powered showers.
The campsite might be basic, but the view over the beach is luxe, especially when it’s peppered with dolphins and whales.
Take in breathtaking ocean views at Gnylmarung Retreat.
10. Gambanan Wilderness Retreat
Where:Just before One Arm Point community, Dampier Peninsula
Distance from Broome: Two hours and 30 minutes
Price:$25 per person
Get your camera ready, the scenery around Gambanan Wilderness Retreatwill take your breath away. Located on the Dampier Peninsula just before One Arm Point community, the elevated bush camp overlooks the Jawi Islands. Wake up to a chorus of birdsong and chill out each evening with a campfire.
Facilities include showers, flushing toilets, a shared outdoor kitchen and campfires. For folks who like a bit more luxury, there are safari tents with private barbecues and bush showers.
